Addiction is lonely!
May 31, 2009
For 23 million Americans, drugs and alcohol are more than personal addictions, destroying the health and future of those held in its devastating grip.
Addiction is a family tragedy, sweeping spouses and children into the whirlpool of its physical, emotional, and spiritual desperation.
The light-hearted fun and friendships of the party lifestyle soon give way to the loneliness and despair; the dark bondage of addiction!
In the hopeless torment of addiction, everything changes…
As the insidious grip of addiction tightens around the addict, the once wide world of fun and friendships and parties narrows to a confined, restricted world controlled by a power so profound everyone and everything is valued only as a means to the “next hit,” the next drink, the next round in the casino.
Overcoming Addiction – A New Spirit
May 30, 2009
The “world of addictions” and “life-controlling issues” is complex world of dysfunction, brain chemistry and spiritual vulnerability.
For many who suddenly wake one morning with the realization they are trapped in a bondage greater than themselves, the “world of addictions” has become very personal. It’s about their pain, their confusion, their hopelessness, their fear…their vulnerability to the enemy of their soul. Jesus describes this enemy – Satan – in John 10:10:
- “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”
Francis Frangipane, author of The Three Battlegrounds, has made these statements regarding the enemy’s activity in our lives:
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- “God has given Satan legal right to access the realm of darkness.”
- “Satan dines on whatever we withhold from God.”
Darkness in a human heart can be expressed in many forms: pride, lust, unforgiveness, hatred, jealousy, greed. There are few who would not identify in some manner with one or more of these expressions.
Yet, though common to the human experience, these very expressions become a “legal access” to the enemy: he has a right to establish his authority based upon the willful embrace of the sin.
It is often, from that first “foothold” in a human heart, the enemy moves strategically and deceptively to consume greater portions of a life until he has established a “stronghold.”
That stronghold, controlled by demonic spirits, drives the thought life, heart motivation, attitudes, beliefs and language of the individual.
Freedom must begin with repentance. It is confession and repentance of the sin that removes the legal right for Satan’s activity in a human heart.
Then, demonic spirits must be “kicked out” and “cut off” in Jesus’ name.
Finally, the Holy Spirit must be invited to fill the life once controlled by the enemy. The human heart cannot exist in a vacuum.
It is the power of the Holy Spirit resident in a life that will provide a consistent victory over the attacks of the enemy.
A new spirit.
Not a human spirit, driven by self-effort and humanistic methodologies. Certainly, not a demonic spirit, controlling a human heart, mind and body according to Satan’s agenda. But, rather, the Holy Spirit, given as gift from Jesus Himself to every “real deal disciple.”
Overcoming Addiction – New and Right Desires
May 30, 2009
I wonder how many addicts have longed for – passionately cried out to God for – new and right desires? I wonder how many addicts have promised – sincerely – that “this time would be different: they would change”?
And so, a lifestyle of meetings and sponsors and “the Big Book” and steps begin. All of which are of critical life-saving value to the addict.
But, New Heart Ministries is more – much more – than a ministry to addicts. By God’s grace and the transforming power of the Holy Spirit, we are called to offer a emergency unit for addicts and a home-equipping center for disciples (who were formerly addicts).
So, is it possible? You know, “new and right desires?” Is that dream for wanting the things that build my marriage rather than destroy it possible? Is it conceivable that an addict could ever get to the place that he would choose the “right things” on his own, without someone “holding a gun to his head?”
Doubtful – unless, he has experienced the wonder of a “Holy Spirit intervention” in his life, leaving him with a new heart.
Then, new and right desires are the inevitable and natural “fruit” of heart soil consistently cultivated in the Word and prayer.
- Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. – Romans 12:2
Suddenly, life is no longer about “clean and sober;” it’s about intimacy with the Living God. Serenity is no longer a goal to be attained, it’s a “heart environment” filled with the sweet presence of the Spirit.
Then, the desires of the “ex-addict-turned-disciple” become His desires:
Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart. – Psalm 37:4
Overcoming Addiction – A New Heart
May 29, 2009
The recidivism rate in Washington State for chemical dependency treatment is reported to be in the 75 percentile. Anecdotally, professionals in the field of social services are convinced less than 3% complete treatment successfully. Meaning, from 75 to 97 out of 100 addicts who complete treatment for chemical dependency, repeat the process.
So, what’s the problem? Why is it that relatively few are able to complete any program with lasting success? Most treatment requires a period of detoxification, followed by a blend of classes and groups designed to educate the addict on the pervasive effects of his chemical abuse and confront the “belief system” that validates his entitlement to “do” his “drug of choice.”
Is that the best we can do? Can all we ever hope for is to somehow “manage” an addiction within parameters of social acceptability?
In response to this profound and provocative question stands the infallible Word of the Lord:
“I will give you and new heart, with new and right desires, and I will put a new spirit in you.” This Living Bible paraphrase of the Ezekiel 36:26 expresses the promise of the Father that refreshes the weary heart of a chronic addict like cool water to parched lips.
You see, the heart is everything; it’s the point. There can be no change – no lifestyle or even belief system change – without engaging the heart.
Solomon, renowned as the wisest man in the world – wisdom given to him by God – makes the point:
“ABOVE ALL ELSE, guard your heart.” (Proverbs 4:23a)
“Above all else.”
Sounds important. Could it be that the Holy Spirit has given us insight to the holistic, sustainable healing of a man’s life? Could it be that heart is really the point in the vast world of addiction treatment and recovery?
“Above all else, guard your heart, for out of it proceed the issues of life.” (Proverbs 4:23)
Step 5 – Shake off all your fears!
May 20, 2009
- Fear is the demon that turned you into a drug addict to start with. When you turn your life over to God you never have to fear again. When Jesus comes to live in your heart, He drives away all fears and doubts.
- Don’t be afraid you will go back to the needle!! God guarantees a 100% cure! As long as you stay with God, He will stay with you. If you forsake God, you will go back. When God is with you—you need never fear.
- Don’t be afraid of your past! When God forgives your sins—He forgets them. He will not hold them against you and He will make society forget them too. Make restitution when you can—but when you can’t, leave it all in God’s hand.
- Don’t ever be afraid that God will drop you. He has never done that and He even promises to send an angel to watch over you in all your ways.
- Don’t ever be afraid of what people will say or think! Keep your eyes on Jesus and you will never be disappointed or confused.
One Way, by David Wilkerson, Regal Books, 1972
Step 4 – Start planning your life all over again
May 20, 2009
- The moment you surrender your life over to God—that is the time to start planning all over again. Think back to the time before you started on drugs. What was your ambition? Find what you want to do and then start making plans.
- All your plans must start with God. Make Him your partner and don’t ever let Him leave your life! Don’t make Him leave you by your neglect. Give God the first chance to use your life. Maybe He will want you to help other addicts when you are fully cured.
- You can never again be around your old neighborhood or your old friends. Stay away from you old life as if it were hell itself! Don’t go to your old hangouts just to test yourself to see if you are cured—that would be tempting God. Find new friends and brothers…
- If you had no plans for your life and if you are sure you can’t help others, then mark down on a piece of paper five things you think you would like to do or be. Spend a few weeks investigating what is involved in all of these five things, then choose the one that appeals to you most. You must choose a goal—you can never again be a loafer or a floater who has no ambition. KNOW WHAT YOU WANT TO DO—THEN GO AFTER IT! Indecision will ruin you.
- You must learn to love the things you once hated and learn to hate the things you once loved. You can do the right things now because God gives you power to do them.
Continue Reading > Step 5 > Shake off all your fears!
One Way, by David Wilkerson, Regal Books, 1972
Step 3 – Give yourself over to God
May 20, 2009
- God is the only one who can cure you! Nothing is impossible with God. If anyone claims cures outside of the power of God, they are lying.
- You must come to him like a little child and ask for help. He has never turned anyone down if there were sincere.
- You must believe that the Bible is the Word of God and that it has the secrets of your cure. You shall know the truth, and the truth will set you free.
- It is not enough just to believe in God—you must believe in His Son, Jesus Christ. The Bibles makes you this promise. If you will confess Jesus as your Savior, He will make you into a new man. The old life will pass away and everything will become new!
- Open up your heart to God even more than you would a psychiatrist and tell Him all about your problem. Then confess to Jesus all your sins and every bad thing you can remember you have done. Ask him to forgive your sins and to come into your heart. He will drive out the desire for drugs and give you power over it!
- Don’t just think your prayers to God—talk out loud to Him. While you are talking out loud to God you will suddenly know what prayer really is!
- Talk to God every day at least five times. Read the Bible every day and fill your mind with thoughts from its verses. Keep asking for His help—even if you have to do it a thousand times a day. He will never get tired of listening.
- You must have faith in God! When you connect with a pusher, how do you know he is not giving you rat poison instead of H? You shoot it up without testing it under a microscope because you must have faith it would be junk. If you can trust a pusher, why can’t you trust in God—HE NEVER LETS YOU DOWN.
Continue Reading > Step 4 > Start planning your life all over again
One Way, by David Wilkerson, Regal Books, 1972
Step 2 – Quit looking for an easy way out!
May 20, 2009
- There is no simple magical cure. There is no synthetic drugs or substances that can pull you out. Methadone is not a cure.
- Hospitals can’t help you on a permanent basis. Just ask anyone who has been there. Out of the hospital—right back to the spike. You can go back a hundred times and you would still be the same.
- No clinic can help you permanently—and deep in your heart you know it. Maybe you won’t admit it, but it’s true. How many times have you been to a clinic already? Right back to the stuff every time.
- No doctor, psychiatrist or hypnotist can cure you! A doctor can pacify you with some pills; a psychiatrist can tell you why are an addict—but they cannot cure you!
- Cold turkey is the best and quickest way to start a cure. Cutting down on your supply with medication is just an excuse to drag out your habit! Cold turkey never killed anybody. It’s the way in jail—it’s the best.
- You must quit smoking! No addict can be permanently cured until he is off cigarettes for good. If you can’t quit your little habits, how are you going to quit your big habits? Furfural is a toxin in tobacco that will drive you back to your needle! What’s the difference if you are addicted to tobacco or drugs—they are both habits of the mind! I dare anyone in the world to prove to me an addict is really cured if he is still smoking!
- Don’t ask for help just to please someone else. You are fooling yourself if you look for help just to keep a wife, mother, or friend happy. You’ve got to want to help yourself.
- You can’t be cured in three weeks. So forget about a job and your future for a while. You have to get away from you so-called friends and from your connections. Out of the city, out of the community, out of the street. You don’t need a job right now—you couldn’t keep it anyway.
- Don’t expect to be trusted or babied. You can’t fool experienced people in the field of narcotics, so quit working angles. You may be sick—but you’re not a little baby. If you can run around making connections, you can work for a cure. GET UP OFF YOUR REAR AND QUIT ACTING LIKE A CRIPPLED BABY!
Continue Reading > Step 3 > Give yourself over to God
One Way, by David Wilkerson, Regal Books, 1972
Step 1 – Admit you are hooked!
May 20, 2009
- It doesn’t matter whether you take off once a day or ten times a day—you are hooked—so why not admit it?
- Quit talking about the big habit or the little habit. A habit is a habit—you’re either hooked of you’re not hooked—so be honest! If you don’t think you are hooked now—just wait—it won’t be long.
- Quit trying to cut it down yourself—you can’t do it. You know you can’t help yourself so why do you keep trying?
- No one can help you if you just want to control your habit or shoot it up on weekends. There is no such thing as a controlled habit. You will shoot all you can get and you know it.
- Admit to yourself: “I’m a drug addict! I’m hooked! I can’t help myself!” Then you are ready for the next step.
Continue Reading > Step 2. Quit looking for an easy way out!
One Way, by David Wilkerson, Regal Books, 1972
“A Message to Drug Addicts Only”
May 20, 2009
Dear Drug Addict:
It’s about time somebody told you the truth about your habit! You’ve been lying, cheating, stealing and working angles ever since you got hooked—now it’s time to stop and do some hard thinking for just ten minutes. If you like the stuff and just want to control your habit—THERE IS NO HOPE FOR YOU UNLESS YOU ARE DESPEARATE FOR HELP! Take a good look at yourself! You thought you were different—you thought you would never get hooked. You thought you would never have to mug or break in—you never thought you’d end up being a beggar just living from one fix to another. You don’t want to admit you were getting hooked but now you can’t fool yourself any longer. YOU’RE A JUNKIE—YOU’RE HOOKED—YOU’RE LOSING YOUR LIFE AND YOUR SOUL! If you like the kind of life you’re living—don’t read another word. I want to talk just to addicts who are sick of junk and who want to start a new life.
There is a lifetime cure for drug addiction! It doesn’t matter how long a run you have had—you can be cured. There are 5 steps to this cure:
- Admit you are hooked!
- Quit looking for an easy way out!
- Give yourself over to God
- Start planning your life all over again
- Shake off all your fears!
The following “letter” was written by David Wilkerson, and is taken from the book, One Way, by David Wilkerson, Regal Books, 1972.