“Fall Season” of Addiction

“I can’t stop. Help me!”

John pled.

My middle-aged client  just lost another job after struggling for years with alcohol.  I could sense the despair in his heart and smell the alcohol on his breath as he slouched in my office chair.  I had been his therapist for over a year.  Together, we had worked hard.

At that moment I came to realize I could not help him.  I had used every psychological strategy I learned in graduate school.  His addiction was stronger than both of us.

During the Spring and Summer Seasons of addiction individuals can usually overcome their bad habit by willpower and traditional counseling.  They can stop for a good reason – a good reason like going on a mission, like staying married, like keeping a job, and like not going to jail.  However, by the time the addiction progresses into the Fall Season Satan has lead the user  “by the neck with a flaxen cord, until he bindeth them with his strong cord …” (2 Ne. 26:22) and “just” stopping for a good reason doesn’t work anymore.

The scripture 3 Nephi 27:11 teaches three seasons of addiction “. . . verily I say unto you they have joy in their works for a season (Spring Season) and by and by the end cometh (Summer Season), and they are hewn down and cast into the fire, from whence there is no return (Fall Season).”  (See articles Spring Season and Summer Season.)

“The Fire From Whence There Is No Return”

In Satan’s rebellion against God, he “sought to destroy the agency of man” (Moses 4:3).  Satan has the “power to captivate, to bring you down to hell, that he may reign over you” (2 Ne. 2:29);  And “he grasps them with his awful chains, from whence there is no deliverance”  (2 Ne. 28:19–22).

Elder Russell M. Nelson instructs us about the power of Satan:

“Addiction surrenders later freedom to choose.  Through chemical means, one can literally become disconnected from his or her own will!” “Addiction or Freedom,” New Era, Sep. 1989.

Elder Boyd K. Packer adds:

“Addiction has the capacity to disconnect the human will and nullify moral agency. It can rob one of the power to decide” “Revelation in a Changing World,” Ensign, Nov. 1989.

“Satan Made Me Do It”

“Some people roar with laughter as a television comic remarks, ‘The devil made me do it.’  Well, maybe he did!  He will always try” David B. Haight, Power of Evil, Ensign, Jul. 1973.

Addiction a “Disease”

The Fall Season of addiction is considered “disease-like” because “moral agency has been nullified.”  In a similar way, a person with Swine Flu, Diabetes or Cancer cannot simply “willpower” their ailment away, many believe neither can an addict in the later stages of addiction.

One does not casually or accidentally break the “flaxen cords” of addiction.  Just going through the motions of repentance will not work.  Although family interventions like counseling, threatening, and loving can be helpful in earlier Seasons they are NOT as effective during the Fall Season!

The Spirit Becomes Addicted

Recovery from addiction is partly a spiritual program. It took me years to learn every individual successfully overcoming a Fall Season addiction, did so as a result of a miracle.  The key factor in addiction is the withdrawal of the Lord’s Spirit and the increased presence of Satan. Therefore, a key factor in recovery is the spirit healing. (See The Addicted Spirit.)

God-A Power Greater Than Ourselves

Over the years I have visited 12-Step meetings to learn more about recovery.  While attending such meetings I’ve seen members of all religions including Catholics, Jews, Mormons, Jehovah Witnesses, and even agnostics successfully overcome powerful addictions by following the 12-Steps.

What did all these recovering addicts have in common?

They  “Came to believe that a Power greater than themselves could restore them to sanity.” And “Made a decision to turn their will and their lives over to the care of God…” (Step 2 and 3 of Alcoholics Anonymous).

I discovered the “power of God” was what I was missing to successfully help John overcome his alcohol addiction.  (As a member of the Church and graduate from BYU, I should have known.)

LDS 12-Step  Recovery Program

The spiritual power of 12-Step recovery programs were so effective even the LDS Family Services adapted the Alcoholics Anonymous’ program and now sponsor their own LDS 12-Step Addiction Recovery Programs .

However, the miracle isn’t the 12-Steps.  The steps are simply one path for one who is addicted “to regain willpower.”  The real miracle is brought about by faith in the Savior.

“… no matter what the source of difficulty and no matter how you begin to obtain relief—through a qualified professional therapist, doctor, priesthood leader, friend, concerned parent, or loved one—no matter how you begin, those solutions will never provide a complete answer. The final healing comes through faith in Jesus Christ …”  Richard G. Scott, “To Be Healed,” Ensign, May 1994.

Gospel Principle:

During the addiction process – the seed of disobedience is planted in the Spring Season; then sprouts into dishonesty in the Summer Season; which in turns blossoms into captivity in the Fall Season - “and thus the devil cheateth their souls, and leadeth them away carefully down to hell” (2 Ne. 28:21).  Both Recovery - proven psychological/medical techniques and Repentance - spiritually based healing are required for permanent changing a Fall Season addiction.

Additonal Resources

“When a Loved One Struggles with Addiction,” Ensign, Jan. 2005.  Read “Third Stage of Addiction”.

Father Martin explains the importance of God in overcoming an addiction. YouTube Video (3 minutes) STEP 3 of AA