Alcoholism, Addiction and Recovery in the Faith Community: A Primer and Resource Handbook for Clergy and other Pastoral Ministers – PART I

Posted on Jun 18, 2013

Ten Considerations for Clergy (First Five)

Vernon Martin, TN Ass’n of Alcohol, Drug & Other Addiction Services, 2004

Consideration One:  Addiction is a disease

Treat it like one.  Always remember, you are not trying to make a “bad person good” a “weak person, strong,” or an “immoral person, moral.”  You are trying to help a “sick person get well.”  Let us deal with the issue of sin right up front.  There is plenty of sin in the world and the addict and alcoholic have it in their lives just like the rest of us.  You know the scripture, “All have sinned…..”  Understand that the disease and alcoholism has a behavioral element rooted in loss of control and loss of social judgment.  Understand that sin exists in the lives of alcoholics and addicts just as it does with all of us, but sin is not the cause of the disease, rather it is often a behavioral element of the disease process.

The disease process also makes the addict or alcoholic hypersensitive to judgmental or moralistic attitudes and as one wise minister once told me, they are acutely adept at seeing through “BS.”  Know that they are already judgmental enough of themselves, so be compassionate and non-judgmental in your interactions.  The 11^th Step of A.A. states,  (we) “Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God, as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out.” This is a good lesson for all of us, and it might make sense to use this as a guidepost to help us in seeking a compassionate, nun-judgmental, non-condescending attitude toward this disease and those affected by it.

Consideration Two:  You cannot “fix it” so stop trying.

The Family and Addictions

Posted on Jun 11, 2013

by Teresita Calero

Excerpt from Blue Book Volume LVIII – Proceedings of the 58^th Annual Meeting, January 22- 24, 2008, New Orleans, LA

Chemical dependency fosters worry, shame, fear, secrecy; it may lead to self-blame, with wondering if, preoccupation with “is there something wrong with me?” The natural consequences of addiction cause pain, without these the addict will not find the motivation to change.  Family members need to get out of the way of the pain and allow the addict to experience the consequences resulting from the pain.  As hard as it is to stand back and allow someone we love to suffer, if we take away their pain, the motivation to change goes with it.  It is imperative to not cover up, make excuses, or in any way shield the addict from the natural consequences of their behaviors.  We cannot allow ourselves to take responsibility or feel guilty for the addict’s behavior; it will only erode our own being.

The Blue Books contain some of the most thought-provoking and articulate Catholic writings on addiction to date

Posted on Jun 5, 2013

Timeless, classic articles by experts in the addiction and recovery world

• These written proceedings were never before made available to Catholic laypeople.

• Offers Catholic population valuable, theologically sanctioned information on the appropriate use of alcohol and other drugs.

• These writings contain timeless information and reflection relevant to anyone wanting to know more about addiction and recovery.

• A TREASURED RESOURCE, the Blue Books are actual transcripts of the annual NCCA Conferences.

• A Wealth of insightful information relevant to addiction and recovery for your personal growth, parish support group or Substance  Addiction Ministry (SAM).

Announcing…these valuable resources are NOW AVAILABLE here

to browse the contents and purchase!

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Understanding Addiction and Supporting Recovery

Posted on Jun 4, 2013

2013 Webinar Series

Strategies and Tools for Clergy and Other Congregational Leaders

Sponsored by:  Nat’l Ass’n for Children of Alcoholics, and the
American Ass’n of Pastoral Counselors

First Session:  Tues, June 11, 2013

“Ministry with Persons with Mental Illness or Substance Use Disorders and Their Families” and “Caring Congregations, Community Collaboration”

Click HERE for more details for this session

Session 2 – Tues, June 25, 2013

Understanding and Supporting Families Impacted by Addiction

Posted on May 28, 2013

Reprinted with permission from NACoA, The National Ass’n for Children of Alcoholics

People suffering from alcohol or drug addiction may find themselves increasingly isolated from their families.  The effects of these illnesses an also extend beyond the nuclear family.  Extended family members may have a range of emotions, including abandonment, anxiety, fear, anger, concern, embarrassment, guilt, and even the desire to ignore or cut ties with the person dependent on alcohol and/or drugs.  However there is hope, and family members can play a critical role in supporting loved ones on their path of recovery, especially when they too avail themselves of recovery support programs for affected children and other family members.  Ultimately, the individual healing of each strengthens the potential for bringing healing to the entire family. 

A child or other affected family member needs to recognize that he or she is not the cause of a relative’s alcohol or drug abuse problem. 

The NCCA Blue Books contain articles by experts in the addiction field

Posted on May 21, 2013

Did you Know?  The NCCA has a very interesting history!

Much of this history has been preserved in our “Blue Books” and you can learn and be inspired by them.          

The NCCA is very excited to soon be offering many Blue Books to you for your parish, support group, Substance Addiction Ministry (SAM) or your own personal growth.  A TREASURED RESOURCE, the Blue Books are actual transcripts of the annual NCCA Conferences.

An excerpt that references the “Blue Books”, from Sister Ignatia:  Angel of Alcoholics Anonymous by Mary C. Darrah

Back in 1949…

The now National Catholic Council on Addictions was known as The National Clergy Conference on Alcoholism.  Most often, a priest’s addiction and even his recovery were hidden from view.  The Church’s frank denial that alcoholism was a common enough problem among its priests created serious obstacles to prevention, education, and treatment efforts attempted on their behalf.