I could no longer handle life on my own, I was addicted to alcohol! The only way out was a Christian treatment center. I needed to have the help of professionals to start me on the path of freedom. My alcohol addiction had the best of me. I isolated every night, didn’t go out with friends, I didn’t do anything anymore. I hadn’t even been to a movie in 5 years unless it was before “cocktail” time. My life had become unmanageable and I needed help. With the love and care of the team at A New Life at Lakeview Health in Jacksonville, I got my life back. I learned that every temptation is an attempt by Satan to get us away from God and how to combat that by learning scripture, praying and meditation. I had not picked up a bible in years now I read it every day!
My life has changed. I have God in my life again. My addiction to alcohol is no longer controling me I am in control of it. I have been redeemed and forgiven of all my sins. Col. 1:14
I once read, The fruits of the Spirit are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. The fruits of the flesh are hatred (mostly of self), depression, fear, anxiety, impatience, unfaithfulness and loss of control. This has really stuck with me and I try to live by the verse that ” people can walk by the Spirit and not carry out the desires of the flesh” Gal. 5:16.
Why can’t I stop abusing my body is a question most of us ask ourselves while in addiction. I knew I was hurting my body yet I didn’t know how to stop until I found something better and that was God. Going to a Christian treatment center can be the new beginning that each of us needs. We learn to trust God again, or for the first time. Being with other Christians gets us plugged in with Christ. Fellowship in prayer time, bible study and working the 12 steps thru Christ and Celebrate Recovery is awsome. Being with others that have gone through some of the same pain and can understand. We don’t all come from the same backgrounds but we do all have one common bond and that is we are addicted to something other than God, until we find him. If we can start our new life over again through Christ we have a much better chance of surviving. Going into a Christian treatment center can give us that chance to start over. I know I was given the chance to live by God’s love and I am a new and different person. I have a full and happy life, not free from all pain, but free from bondage. I now know how to work through my problems by using the 12 steps in all my affairs. I thank God!
Why would anyone even think that an addict enjoyed being addicted? People with an addiction might enjoy the high for a while, but soon it becomes unbearable. We don’t make a decision with the intention of destroying ourselves-at least not at first.
No one wants to be grossly overweight due to excessive eating, or addicted to drugs, alcohol, nicotine, gambling etc. We don’t grow up thinking that we want to be an addict we actually think that it will never happen to us! We as addicts know what is right and want to do what is right; but for some reason we can’t seem to do it.
The apostle Paul wrote that “it was for freedom that Christ set us free” Gal. 5:1. God has set his children free, but many of us are not experiencing that freedom. We have the freedom of choice and that freedom of choice can lead us to a life free of addiction. In choosing a Christian treatment center we can live that free life again. We can change our path. I have a life beyond my wildest dreams now!
In going to a Christ centered treatment center we can learn to rely on God to do for us what we cannot do for ourselves. We can learn to trust in Him through prayer, meditation and time with other Christians. Working a 12 step program helpes me with all aspects of my life. My friends are people who truly love me for who I am not for who they want me to be. My family sees a softer side of me now. I enjoy life again. A New Life at Lakeview Health in Jacksonville, Florida can start us on the path to recovery.
Faith is like a dam, holding back the water of alcohol. If we take one drink of alcohol, it’s like opening the dam. Once the dam has been opened the water (alcohol) rushes in. We have to make sure we don’t let in even one drop or the gates are open and we fall right back into our old ways. In a Christ centered recovery program we learn to let God in. When we have faith in God it keeps the dam strong and in repair. In going to church and bible study we have the tools to keep the dam from breaking and the damage from being done. If I practice the presence of God in everything I think and do my life will change. When going to a Christ centered treatment program such as A New Life at Lakeview Health we are given the specialized treatment for Christians who have lost their direction. We find our way back through Christ.