Conditions of Life - UNMANAGEABLE (Part 3) Drug Solutions & Answers

If I were to name three conditions of life that put you in a hopeless state of mind, here they are: Finding yourself in a powerless condition over life; being dependent on things; and the feeling that life is unmanageable. This is the final column in this series dealing with these “Conditions of Life”, drug addiction and those we know impacted by their choices. In this final part of the series allow me to address when life is unmanageable”. I have attempted to address the three most common conditions that most often those dealing with drugs and substance abuse find themselves in. Powerless, being dependent on things (that is: drugs & associated issues) and the feeling that life is unmanageable are three very strong issues that one cannot overcome on their own. This series of columns have been written to engage people of faith to become involved as a part of the solution for the drug epidemic that faces our communities. I have attempted to express a means by which “communities can regain their communities” by taking an active role and walking with, assisting through the process of treatment. Please remember this line. I applaud the individual who has just become clean from drugs. They are a champion and for some reason this accomplishment many individuals of faith, churches and organizations that should be applauding and supporting seem to have become skeptics. Sadly, for the most part, the attitude is that there is uncertainty about if this new change is for real, we doubt their success, their reasons for trying and when they relapse, or return to drugs there is self-applause for the wisdom in predicting their failure to remain clean and off-drugs. Those battling drugs have felt their life to be totally unmanageable. They understand the back breaking affect and they have been humbled to their very core as an individual. What I have discovered is that without an involvement of individuals of faith, churches, non-profit organizations who come alongside our family members, friends, and neighbors who are in the personal war against drugs their failure rate is almost guaranteed. I have been involved in this topic since 1992. That was the first year that as a minister I was challenged to do something other than say I will pray for you or even worse advice, as a pastor suggest that they just needed to pray themselves and ask God for help. Rest assured I have repented to God for ever suggesting that someone walk alone. Christians, individuals of faith, churches should be clear about one thing. If we allow someone to walk alone and we are not there to help them in their journey, what right do we have to ask them to join us after they have successfully recovered? Throughout scripture Jesus earned the right to be involved in the lives of people. Jesus was always reaching out to people or recognizing clearly when someone was reaching out to Him. If we want to see how successful we are in our communities do a little research and discover how many churches in your community have a meeting such as Alcoholics Anonymous; Al Anon; Celebrate Recovery; Pathfinders; Narcotics Anonymous; Then discover what your church is doing to support those programs in existence. There will be only a handful of you that will see any active involvement by your church leaders, membership or faith based organizations. Sadly this list is very small and in most communities nonexistent. This fact must change. The fact that we have been allowing those addicted to drugs and involved in substance abuse to walk by themselves in treatment and recovery should not be shocking to us when we see their lives unmanageable and out of control. The solution is an active involvement by individuals of faith. Would you be willing to get involved? If so, I look forward to hearing from you as we gather to organize a new cooperation and initiative between individuals of faith, faith based communities, the medical community, and government to retake our communities and help those who want to be free of substance abuse. Until then