Rev. Ned Wicker is a certified chaplain specializing in treating people suffering from drug addiction and alcoholism. He author’s a website for addiction support: Drug-Addiction-Support.org
By Ned Wicker,
Editor: Drug-Addiction-Support.org
I recently encountered a devout atheist during a drug and alcohol spirituality group at a rehabilitation center. The one-hour session is intended to be an introduction to the spiritual aspects of recovery, centered on 12-Step, and not a religious lecture. From the start, he communicated his lack of enthusiasm.
Because of time constraint, we limit the discussion to the first three steps. He seemed to be somewhat in agreement with our discussion of the first step, but when we got to the third step, turning “our will and our lives over to the care of God, as WE understand him,” his resistance to the material was staunch. I should have known, as his displeasure with the discussion of Step 2 was obvious, as he did not agree that there was the possibility of a “power greater than ourselves.” He glared at me the whole time.
In my role as group facilitator, I have no problem with atheists or agnostics, because they are often the most honest people in the group about their addiction. They tell me what they are thinking and feeling, not what they think I want to hear. In the case of this young man, he was certain that addiction recovery was a solo operation and that no relationship, either with the God he did not believe in, or with another person, was going to have any serious impact on his health. “You have to do this by your own strength,” he said. There was no other way to recovery and he was adamant about that. He was also angry about being at the treatment center, being in a spirituality group and being in the unenviable throws of addiction.
However, I sensed he felt a connection to the other people in the group and as the hour wore on, and he began to relax and accept the possibility that he was not alone. The other members of the group were gentle and understanding. They understood him. They accepted him. I recall Bill W’s struggle with God, as documented in the Big Book. Bill’s struggle is so much like that of this young man. If there was the possibility of a God, what would he be like? Could it be that God works through the people we know, so we don’t have to go through our struggles alone?
There are so many people who suffer through situations alone, not having any sense that a power greater than themselves is there to help. The stories from addicts over the years have reassured me of a personal and present God, as through them I get a glimpse of how God loves us. I hope the young man in my group discovers that for himself very soon.
- Related Videos
- Related Articles
- Ask / Related Q&A
- Many Theories for Causes of Drug Addiction
- Are you Living With an Addicted Person?
- Overcoming Addiction - 12 Steps to Nowhere!
- Recovery: When the God Thing Happened!
- Christian Addiction Recovery - Renewing Your Mind
- Addiction; When We Think That God Won't Love Us We Presume Too Much
- Addiction Freedom - The Blame and Shame Game!
- 12-steps Without God?
Addicted to Procrastination
By: Kasan Groupe | 25/11/2009Hi, my name is Blake and I am an addict. My addiction is procrastination and I would like to share some of the ways that I have put off work in my life.
Alcohol Rehab In Utah
By: bairdwoods | 25/11/2009If you are looking for a place to undergo rehabilitation for alcoholism, or if you know somebody experiencing the problem whom you want to be given help, then you should seriously consider alcohol rehab in Utah. First of all, Utah has some of the most beautiful and fascinating landscapes in the world. Such a thing may seem insignificant in choosing a location, but you have to realize that it is precisely an appreciation of simple nature that could help one overcome their demons.
Drug Rehab In Utah
By: johnantony | 25/11/2009You could look at any celebrity who overdosed and died at a young age, and more often than not, this could be linked to problems experienced when one was young, including child abuse. This fact should be looked at not as a means of excusing these tragic figures, but to understand how drug addiction has to be treated primarily by addressing emotional problems.
When Going Through Alcohol Rehab
By: johnantony | 25/11/2009Going through alcohol rehab is a tough time, where one has to be tough, but also realize that toughness is not everything. It is okay to realize that you can not do everything on your own. This is where friends and family, as well as counselors, come into the picture, providing love and understanding during such a trying time.
Alcohol Rehab In Arizona
By: brianburt1 | 25/11/2009Treatment for alcohol abuse is not meant to bring an instant cure to one’s addition. As with substance use and abuse, one’s alcoholism is a process that requires the readjustment of one’s physical and mental condition. During the interim, one needs an environment that is conducive to the uplifting of one’s spirit. Not any place will do.
Increasing Access To Drug Rehab
By: bairdbraid | 25/11/2009Addiction rehabilitation is a hard thing in itself, but making it harder is the criminal aspect of drug addiction. Due to the classifying of certain dangerous drugs as illegal, drug users are less open about their addiction and their need for help. Drug rehab should be available for all, even those who could not afford to be bailed out of jail.
The Healing Path of the Wounded Healer
By: Pamela Wells | 23/11/2009What is the Wounded Healer archetype? Are you a wounded healer and if so how do you take steps to heal?
Proven Mind Control Techniques, Mind Power - The Vast Expanse Of The Brain
By: GregFrost | 23/11/2009When thinking about many of the proven mind control techniques, what you really need to do is to look at the power of the mind, and what kind of technology has been round that has been actually used to penetrate the great and vast expanse of the brain. Once, a man who was considered a world genius said that we only had control of less than 5% of the brain, while the other 95% is actually in the hands of the preconscious mind, the one mind that we have no ability to actually see or actually dive into.
Many Theories for Causes of Drug Addiction
By: Ned Wicker | 04/05/2008 | Diseases & ConditionsIt has always fascinated me that people of good will, people of letters, qualified people who study and earnestly try to understand the nature of addiction, can so often completely disagree with each other. Is drug addiction caused by a human being’s response to pain? Is it genetic? Is it socio-economic? Is it caused by a lack of love?
Easy Access
By: Ned Wicker | 04/05/2008 | Health“Kevin” was a registered nurse and participating in a short-term out-patient recovery program. Unlike many people who come into rehab, Kevin knew he had a problem, knew that the problem was left unchecked it would likely ruin his family life, his career and he was highly motivated to do his part.
Success is Addictive
By: Ned Wicker | 09/04/2008 | BaseballThe starting of Spring Training activities in Florida and Arizona were over shadowed by the recent testimonies before a congressional committee by Major League Baseball superstar Roger Clemens and his former trainer Brian McNamee concerning the Mitchell Report findings of steroid use.
God Bless the “bad Guy”
By: Ned Wicker | 09/04/2008 | DivorceWhen it comes to delivering a message, or taking even the most appropriate and necessary action, nobody really likes to be the “bad guy.”
Legal But Potentially Deadly!
By: Ned Wicker | 09/04/2008 | MoviesWhen people think about drug overdoses, they immediately think about illegal drugs, but the recent news about the untimely death of actor Heath Ledger certainly illustrates what can happen when legal drugs are abused.
Popping Pills
By: Ned Wicker | 08/04/2008 | Spirituality“Judy” was participating in a long-term residential drug treatment program, and was three months into a six-month scheduled stay. He had sustained an injury to her right knee, which required a surgical intervention. The surgery, which was supposed to fix the problem, only made her life worse, as her mobility and the accompanying pain made routine movement a painful experience.
Graduation Day?
By: Ned Wicker | 26/03/2008 | AddictionsWhy is drug addiction recovery SO difficult? "Graduation Day?" explores this problem from a family prespective.