Helping a Church Member With Past Substance Abuse Issues: 5 Tips

Substance abuse can completely wreck a person’s life. If one of your church members is working through treatment from past issues, they need all the support you can give them. Addiction physically changes a person’s body and brain, and resetting their behavior is incredibly difficult. 

The church has an important role to play in supporting recovering addicts. Jesus saw everyone on a level playing field. In fact, he showed prostitutes and tax collectors more kindness than the religious leaders because they knew they needed help. Here are five ways to support a church member with past substance abuse issues. 

1. Talk About Addiction 

How you talk about addiction can change church members’ perceptions of addicts. Addiction doesn’t just affect troubled youth or hardened criminals — it damages the lives of countless men, women and children of all racial and financial backgrounds. Many addictions start with legally prescribed medicine. 

It’s important to show compassion toward people struggling with addiction. At the same time, you need to be realistic about the damage it causes. You can offer church members pamphlets or host an educational event that discusses the many forms of dependency. The more members know about this issue, the better equipped they’ll be to support recovering addicts. 

2. Open the Conversation

If you suspect a friend at church has struggled with substance abuse, talk to them about it directly. Your goal should be to build trust and bring the issue into the open without judgment. Secrecy saps the life out of relationships and is a conduit for shame. Being honest with trusted friends can help individuals heal from addiction. 

Use “I” instead of “you” statements during your conversation. Using “I” will show your concern and help your friend feel seen rather than judged. As much as possible, ask open-ended questions to get them talking. Don’t assume you know what’s going on — instead, listen to their perspective and ask how you can help. Compassion is a powerful tool for healing. 

3. Create Accountability

Many churches also create accountability groups for men and women walking through addiction. You can appoint a leader who’s been through this before so they have compassion and understanding for the people they’re leading. Support groups can make a huge difference in helping people stay on the road to recovery. 

Addicts who return to the same friend groups and habits after working through recovery are likely to relapse. New patterns of life that eliminate temptations can significantly help people build a new life for themselves. Genuine, loving friendships will motivate former addicts to make better decisions and take good care of themselves. 

4. Support Their Family

Substance abuse can be particularly hard on an addict’s family. Their spouse and children may internalize the tumultuous emotions they’re experiencing and feel the addiction is their fault. You can help families emotionally by offering support groups and the tools they need to navigate this challenging time. Remind them often that this is not their fault. 

It is normal for family members to experience denial, grief, anger, fear and shame in this situation. Addiction damages trust and creates relational wounds that take time to heal. Someone trying to recover may also be dealing with guilt and shame over the consequences of their actions. Supporting their family is one of the most loving things you can do for them.

5. Find Health Partners

You can also connect with local services that help people heal from addiction and live healthy lives. Ensure they’re run by professionals and have a good reputation in the community. Then, make them accessible to church members. You can talk about them from the podium, plan information events or create handouts so these resources are available. 

Many churches partner with addiction recovery centers to help people know where to go for treatment. Your church may also offer to support loved ones with volunteer work or financial aid during this process. Counseling groups can help families and recovering addicts work through their emotions and make better decisions. 

Point Them to Jesus

Physical tools like medical intervention, support groups and counseling are essential aspects of healing from addiction. However, a relationship with Jesus is what leads to spiritual healing. In addition to getting clean, addicts need to experience forgiveness, unconditional love and hope for their future. 

Healing from addiction takes physical and emotional intervention. However, it’s also a personal decision — people have to acknowledge their problems and choose to change their life. Use this guide to help church members heal from past substance issues and experience the fullness of life that Jesus came to bring them.