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The Next Step Podcast is a weekly podcast focusing on the joys of recovery and sobriety in an LDS context. Creators and hosts, Brad and Jay, join Kurt to talk about the Addiction Recovery Program and how everyone, including church leaders, family, and friends, in addition to those suffering from the disease of addiction, can benefit by understanding the 12 steps, knowing when and where meetings are held, and understanding how to reach out to those in need of help. Jay explains how he became addicted to prescription painkillers while on his mission, his struggles with addiction after, and the moment someone reached out to him and invited him to an Addiction Recovery Program meeting. Together, Brad and Jay discuss the leader’s role in addiction recovery, how a sponsor is different than a priesthood leader (and the important, but separate, roles that each play in helping those with addictions), how to help youth and teens struggling with addiction, and the important role the family plays in the ongoing recovery process.
- (38:30) What is a sponsor in the addiction recovery program? How does someone become a sponsor?
- (40:00) How does your sponsor differ from a priesthood leader?
- (44:30) As leaders, we carry the message, not the person
- (46:45) Helping youth with addiction
- (51:00) Treating addiction as a family
- (55:00) Addiction and “Betrayal Trauma”
Links:
Addiction Recovery Program Website The Next Step Podcast on iTunes The Next Step Podcast Facebook page
Great podcast. My wife and I have been serving as Church Service Missionaries in the Addiction Recovery for 2 1/2 years. Just a little clarification on youth and the Addiction Recovery Program:
Youth that are 16 or 17 can attend a 12 Step Meeting, but must be accompanied by an adult – parent, grandparent, guardian, concerned leader.
Youth that are 18 or older can attend on their own.
Youth 15 and under are not allowed to attend the Meetings. Recommended that the youth work with parents, Bishop or appropriate leaders using a Guide to Addiction Recovery and Healing.
What Church Service Missionaries Wished Bishops (and other leaders) Knew about ARP:
1. Single most helpful & important thing: Come to a Meeting
2. A Guide to Addiction Recovery and Healing is the Linchpin.
3. Best Kept Secret in the Church: Spouse & Family Support Meeting
Keep up the good work.
Thanks for sharing your experience with ARP. Another resource that many are finding helpful as a complement to ARP is the book Power Over Pornography. It is consistent with LDS principles but takes a different, cognitive-behavior-based approach. You may want to check it out
The cause of most addictions is usually due to underlying issues, this is the reason why that person is addicted to alcohol or drug maybe due to over stress, problems from home, even low self esteem. All these things can be a potential cause to the problem. Also the family or close relatives need to play an important part in the recovery process as well, to provide support to the patient.
Thank you for your tips.