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Resources for the Journey - Human Connection & Addiction

Addictive behaviour is not just seen in “the other”.  As our community heard in a continuing sermon series, “Not the Way It’s Supposed to Be” (Nov 22), addiction tendencies affect us all.   The church library offers some good reading to explore what addiction is, and what it can ultimately lead to.  But addictions don’t have to be in control.  Become armed with new learnings from materials suggested below, and perhaps together with others in supportive community. 

These books are written by people who have lived experience with addiction, or more scientific or theological interests in it. Each written by Christians who wrestled at a deep spiritual level.  

Image previewImage previewOvercoming Addictive Behavior (The Victory Over the Darkness Series)Image previewImage preview

Addiction and Grace: Love and Spirituality in the Healing of Addictions  by Gerald May M.D.   First published in 1988, is a classic on the subject.  “Everyone in our culture seeks some kind of security within the realms for possessions, power and relationships. By asking ourselves questions about our experience and the five characteristics of addiction, we can see what serves freedom and what is addiction.” This reprint includes a reading and discussion guide and two follow-up essays written later in life.  

Overcoming Addictive Behavior by Neil Anderson and Mike Quarles.  “Addicts are in the cycle of sin-confess, sin-confess and sin again.  Such defeated Christians are stuck in Romans chapter 7. They know what is right, and they want to do what is right; but for some reasons they can’t seem to do it  This book seeks to explain how they can break out of that cycle and experience freedom in Christ.”

Healing Life’s Hidden Addictions: Overcoming the Closet Compulsions that Waste Your Time and Control Your Life  by Dr. Archibald Hart. “….others are ‘hooked’ on work, watching TV, overeating, running, shoplifting or even religious activities… What do they have in common with the more widely recognized addictions to drugs or alcohol?”

Codependent No More: How to Stop Controlling Others and Start Caring For Yourself  by well-known Melody Beattie.  "Addicted to alcohol at a very young age, she vowed that if she ever wrote a book about her own experience it would be warm, gentle, nonjudgmental, nontechnical. It would be kind. Because that’s what she needed, information and kindness.”   Her insights contributed to the emergence of the idea that addiction to a person who was addicted to a substance or a behavioral process was a possibility.  Check her life story and years of addictions support work. https://melodybeattie.com   

A Very Fine House: A Mother’s Story of Love, Faith, and Crystal Meth by Barbara Cofer Stoefen. Barbara Stoefen is a drug prevention activist in Oregon and advocate for families with a loved one in active addiction.  “When her daughter’s alcoholism, drug use, and criminality ensue, Barbara fights to save her. There is all-consuming grief and the devastating loss of not just her daughter, but her dream for her own life as well. Barbara eventually finds support and a new way of thinking. While she continues the battle to save her daughter, she ultimately finds the courage to save herself. The conclusion deals with Annie’s recovery—and Barbara’s. Both experience a spiritual awakening and are transformed."

Even in Our Darkness: A Story of Beauty in a Broken Life by Jack Deere.  Jack Deere is an author and former professor at Dallas Theological Seminary. When his young son dies of an overdose he had to tell his own life story, beginning with early years of growing up in a dysfunctional home and his own father’s suicide.  His story unpacks his unreserved grief.   “How do we make sense of the pain and evil in this world, and who is this good God who has allowed it?”

Other Resources:

There is also the Ted Talk mentioned by Pastor Tom in his sermon: "Everything You Think You Know About Addiction is Wrong" by Johann Hari.

In addition, the church has a larger collection of books dealing more, but not exclusively, with issues of chemical dependency, particularly alcohol.  This collection was made possible through the Hazelden Foundation. While published for the main-stream market, many are also written by Christians. Hazelden’s outreach work includes podcasts, webinars, blogs, support for children and families, and more.   https://www.hazeldenbettyford.org/about-us/news-media/coronavirus-disease-response/free-recovery-resources

How to check these books out:

This collection is meant to complement the work of AA groups the church hosts and as such is located upstairs for their benefit.  Explore these titles on the library website catalogue using subject headings like addictions or alcoholism.   An “AR” in front of the call number indicates the book is upstairs as part of the Addictions Resources collection.  For the sake of confidentiality, simply leave a contact ph# with the name of the book (either upstairs or downstairs), and return book when you’re done.  Feel free to pass a book on in your community.

 

Categories: Library Resources