My father recently asked me to lead a healing prayer at church for people struggling with various forms of addiction. The response was overwhelmingly positive--as well as emotionally overwhelming because of the depth of need in people's lives. Many came forward for spiritual support and counsel.
He asked me to give 5 practical points to follow after receiving healing prayer for or after receiving counsel for an addiction--whether alcohol, prescription pills,* illegal narcotics, food, sexual acting out, gambling, or other unstoppable obsessions that seek to dominate one's life.
1. Pray. Start the day saying "thank you God I'm sober" and finish the day saying "thank you God you kept me sober". If you don't have a personal faith, just practice gratitude saying "thank you I'm sober" in the morning and "thank you I'm still sober in the evening.
2. Meditate. Take daily time in quiet solitude. Ask nothing. Only center on your spirit. Do this while listening to music or utilize a free guided meditation available on iTunes podcasts or YouTube.
3. Tell someone you trust. Ask them to keep you in their thoughts and prayers. But only tell someone who has earned the right to hear your story.
4. Go to a meeting. Find a support group such as AA, NA, SLAA, CMA, OA** or some other recovery fellowship such as Celebrate Recovery or Smart Recovery. Go daily.
5. Find a therapist. Everyone needs someone safe to confide who is not emotionally invested in us--someone will speak the truth to us in a professional manner. A licensed or certified clinician can help. Go weekly.
*Caveat: Don't quit cold turkey, especially if coming off alcohol, benzodiazepines, or some other sedative. Sudden withdrawal could put you at a seizure risk. Withdrawal symptoms from opiates (pain killers) can be especially difficult. So consult your physician if in doubt.
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