Comments about ‘Church News: Hope for recovery’

compare this simple, Christ based plan with the resort like setting ms lohan chose, compare outcomes, it will be amazing.....

This program saved my life. By the time it was here, I'd already lost one marriage and three jobs to addiction.

Thanks to God - and a bunch of recovering addicts willing to share their testimonies of Jesus Christ's helping them - I have found sobriety, serenity and a happy, healthy and eternal marriage.

James Hofheins,
Murray, Utah

What ever works! Most the people I know quit their addictions without praying. I got bored of them and stopped.

This program saved my life. I now have a happy,joyous and free family and eternal marriage. If you suffer from depression, stress or trying to over control things this program is also for you. The Lord has the power but we are his messangers trying to help the next suffering son or daughter of God. Come join us you will be amazed.

Dear Bored: You're in denial.

This program saved my life too. I was amazed at the Spirit I felt when I first attended Alcoholics Anonymous. I was amazed when I learned the Church had its own program based upon the Twelve Steps of AA.

Yes, Bored, Denial ain't just a river in Egypt. The LDS-ARP, as well as AA & NA, isnt just about giving up addictions. It's about giving up all of your defects of character. So, if you are content on changing your world without God and prayer, this program isn't for you anyways.

Easy does it.

It's nice to see the church take a proactive approach in addressing a problem that has penetrated the protective shield of the LDS church. In today's society, no one is exempt from the devastating effects of addiction.

Prior to becoming a member of the church I was a therapist, specializing in addiciton treatment services. I saw a growing number of clientele who were members and one of the biggest obstacles for them to overcome was the shame and embarassment that they had gotten caught up in something "so worldly."

I'm glad to see the church incoporporate the "tried and true" principals of 12 step programs, such as AA and NA. With additional education and support, more people will be released from the grips of addiction.

I can't begin to say how this program changed my life and brought me back to the gospel.I owe all the praise to the Lord and his teachings. I now chair this program, and I enjoy watching the lives change.If anyone needs help PLEASE give this a chance!IT works if you will allow it to!

The church can not change a chemical embalance in your brain that causes clinical depression and suicidal tendencies. Even the most powerful medications can not control these feelings ALL of the time. This is an inherited condition. Seven family members within two generations have commited suicede. All members of the church.

It takes more than prayer to over come an addiction. Sex addiction is the worst kind, and the 12 steps program has not only helped the addict in our family, but the spouce as well. I encourage any one who struggles with an addiction to try this program with an earnest heart. You will not regret it. Forgiveness has been a healing element for us.

Words cannot describe the joy we've felt as we've seen marriages saved, lives changed, hope come into faces, and yes, re-baptisms and restoration of priesthood blessings. And we, as missionaries find our lives changed. It is for all who are ready, even if they may also need medical or theraputic assistance. It works when you work it!

To Anonymous/BORED: The problem with addiction is... it never gets bored! The scary part is that you can go months, even years at a time without it being a problem and then boom it hits again when you least expect it! Another problem is that when you think you've beaten it on your own terms it will find new ways of manifesting itself through other forms of addiction. I know I've tried it on my own, over and over again. I finally realized that I absolutely could not do this on my own and I learned to trust in a power and strength far greater than my own. It's hard, oftentimes i want to give up and quit, but when i fight it and work through the pain and frustration i can slowly but surel feel the strength and reinforcement that comes from the healing power that only Christ can give. It's not something you can learn from someone else alone. You have to feel it for yourself! No matter who or where you are or whatever circumstance you are in--Christ offers this to each of us individually--it's amazing. I know this is long--but when you have felt this for yourself you'll understand!

To JEP: Chemical imbalances and mental illness are not addictions.

I am a recovering addict who was excommunicated as I direct result of turning to alcohol instead of Jesus Christ in times of distress I have recently been re-baptised and know for a certainty that without the unconditional love of my Saviour and the assistance of a 12 step programme I wud not be alive today In fact - I am enjoying a far better quality of life now than I ever did before and also place a far greater value on my testimony and my sobriety now that I have them both back and active in my life If anybody had told me I wud feel this 'alive' at the age of 58,6 I wud have laughed 'all the way back to the bottle store' But thanks to the saving grace of my Saviour (and the prayers of my children) life is great! (One day at a time) The hardest obstacle is of course "admitting" that one has an addiction! When that hurdle has been overcome - the path to recovery can be (if one is honest with oneself)a fantastic - if sometimes challenging - experience It is a though one is allowed to 'start again' and redress the hurts inflicted on others (and oneself) as you progress in this 12 step program - just as one progresses in the gospel and learns 'line upon line - precept upon precept' I have learned to laugh again - mainly at myself - and to accept life on life's terms
In the Church in SA I have not yet come across this programme - so wud like to hear if anybody has started a group & if so - where Alternatively, if there are any other 'SA addicts' out there - pse feel free to contact me

JEP and all: I still take meds for depression and experience bad days but it is NOTHING compared to my life before ARP. This program works because we come to rely on our Savior Jesus Christ--instead of our own habits and defects. So many LDS people believe in Christ but don't turn to him on a regular basis, I was one of them. Including Him through this program makes an unbelievable difference even when a person does not have an addiction. I recommend this program to all who have mental illness as an important part of their treatment. I can't fix myself, God can, I think I'll let Him!

My son started smoking and using marijuana in high school when he was sixteen. By the time he was 26, he was addicted to meth, and had served prison time. Today you would never guess that's where he was in the past. He regularly participates and facilitates these group meetings. He is active in the church and married in the temple. The Lord's grace truly is sufficient........if we let go and let Him.

I have often wondered how I would tell my story, lost in sexual addiction, hurting my wife and family so terribly for so many years. Many times I felt no hope, I felt unredeemable, that even the Savior could not love one such as I. I began my recovery work before this progam was implimented...finding answers was very very difficult. What a blessing that it is now being made available, openly, and with such loving inspired direction. If you worry for a friend or family member who is stuggling, and whose decisions and addiction are takeing them farther and farther in the wrong direction...please remembeer that somewhere inside is a spirit created by Heavenly Father, loved by Heavenly Father...a spirit in need of ministration, a spirit that needs love and acceptancte, where they are at. We sometimes hear, "Oh, he has to reach his bottom before we can help him." My own experience of being lost was that I always responded to love and compassion, sometimes like an addict, and sometimes not in the way my 'helper' wanted, because the way back can be long and difficult, but always I appreciated it. blessings to all who struggle...there is hope, it is found in Jesus Christ...the program didn't save my life, but He did, and the program led me to Him.

I am a recovering alcoholic and addict and also a group leader for ARP in our stake. I came through the doors of A.A. many years ago and attained sobriety but nothing has strengthened it more than the ARP.

I LOVE this program and am witnessing miracles every week. I know the Savior wants to save each and every one of his brothers and sisters and this program is doing just that.

Truly His grace IS sufficient for all.

Would LDS therapists please provide specific exercises on how addicts and their families can more quickly restore clear and honest thinking to correct faulty thought patterns? I'm speaking about rationalization and denial which become a habitual way of thinking that prohibit addiction recovery. There seem to be workbooks for about everything - is there a way, (in addition to prayers, scriptures, etc.) to help us repair the damage to the brain? An article in the Church News and perhaps also in your email would reach most who are seriously combating the problem. Thanks for your efforts to help.

does this program offer recover for those addictied to video gameing, spending money you don't have...credit card addition! Or is this just for DRUGS and ALCOHOL?

I am a therapist from New Zealand.Here is a definition of abuse.."A violation on your person without consent" Be it physical, emotional, spiritual, mental or sexual. Except for those intellectually impaired there is in most cases.'A CAUSE' and from that cause there are negative affects which shows in behaviour. Search for the cause,come out of denial, and an understanding comes out from the behaviour. Accept where your 'AT' turn totally to Jesus Christ who provides the cornerstone for recovery. Be honest totally with your introspective search within yourself and pray for guidance everyday to help you.
Have absolute FAITH in its purest form in THE LORD JESUS CHRIST is paramount. Nothing moves EXCEPT APPLYING FAITH ..the first principle of the gospel..second repentance. for our own destructive behaviour towards ourselves...godly sorrow-- a brokenheart and contrite spirit and ask for mercy through Jesus Christ.