Addiction Recovery Program Helps One LDS Return to Christ

A common misconception that many people believe is that addictions are bad habits that cannot be overcome. In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, members are taught that through Jesus Christ and His Atonement, those who repent sincerely can receive forgiveness and overcome addictions.

In the Church, addictions are viewed as “persistent dependence on a harmful behavior or substance that can disrupt the ability to listen to the Spirit and limit the person’s free agency to choose.”

Those who have fallen prey to addictive behaviors not only harm their spiritual, mental, and physical well-being but also affect relationships, particularly among family members.

Hope in Recovery

To help individuals and families recover from any type of addiction and enjoy the full blessings of the gospel of Jesus Christ, Family Services of the Church provided the 12-Step Addiction Recovery Program (ARP) as a free resource for Church leaders, Latter-day Saint families, and anyone who needs assistance.

The Addiction Recovery Program has adapted the original 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous World Services into a framework of principles, doctrines, and beliefs taught in the Church of Jesus Christ.

In the Philippines, the ARP has blessed hundreds of individuals and families. Not only did it help individuals overcome addiction but also mend strained relationships. More importantly, the ARP has helped individuals find renewed faith in the redemptive power of Jesus Christ’s Atonement.

Such was true for Diego Rocha of Kauswagan Ward (congregation) of the Cagayan de Oro Philippines Stake (diocese). Like many individuals enrolled in the ARP, Diego shared that he went through the program’s 12 steps with real patience until he found success.

One of the factors that led to his success was the belief that he would not be able to recover were it not for a Higher Power. As he went through steps one, two, and three, Diego shared that he would need a power greater than himself to help him overcome his addiction.

Step 1: Admit that you, of yourself, are powerless to overcome your addictions and that your life has become unmanageable.

Asked how he succeeded, Diego answered resolutely, “I took the first step with all honesty. I wrote down all the events in my life where I had been in misery because of my addiction.”

Not knowing where to go from there, Diego admitted he was helpless and could not do anything about it. At the height of his addiction of almost 5 years, his faith in Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father waned. It came to a point where he did not go to Church anymore, magnify his calling, or even pray. He did not behave like a true disciple of Jesus Christ.

Step 2: Come to believe that the power of God can restore you to complete spiritual health.

Diego took the second step of the program. “My faith, however small, began to spark. I was powerless over my addiction and did not know to whom to turn to for help. Then I started to pray again,” he tearfully related.

He learned that he has no power in all things, but Heavenly Father has. With faith and perseverance, he prayed until he was able to restore his personal relationship with Heavenly Father again.

Step 3: Decide to turn your will and your life over to the care of God the Eternal Father and His Son, Jesus Christ.

As someone ready to accept the mercy of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, Diego took the third step. With his developing faith, he decided to let go and implored the Lord to do His will regarding his addiction. Coming out of rehabilitation, he realized that there was no place that he can practice his faith-based recovery than to return to full activity in the Church.

“As I joined each session, I found myself living more than just the twelve steps. It is a Christ-centered program where I could also freely practice my faith. Now, by God's grace, I am 10 months clean, serene, and sober. Living my life one day at a time with the care and love of my Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ,” Diego shared.

For more information about the Addiction Recovery Program of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, visit addictionrecovery.churchofjesuschrist.org.