Miracle of Recovery

A Recovering Addict’s Story

Preston, a recovering drug addict, said,

“I was raised in the LDS Church, but at the age of 14 I started using drugs and alcohol. The decision to use turned into a 17-year addiction problem. Then, when I was 31 years old, I located an ARP (LDS Alcohol Recovery Program) group in my area. The ARP meeting has helped me to stay clean for the past four years. It is a wonderful program!  It provides an avenue for addicts to become clean and to get involved in the Church again.”

The Addiction Recovery Program of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints continues to bless the lives of thousands of individuals and families affected by the tragic consequences of addiction.  The program offers recovery meetings designed to help individuals and families successfully live in recovery from addiction by drawing on the power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ.

LDS Addicton Recovery Support Groups

From Portland to Parowan, Melbourne to Monterrey, and Dublin to Delaware, addiction recovery meetings can now be found around the world. To identify the times and locations of meetings closest to you, click  here on “Addiction Recovery Support Groups.”

Some key features of the Addiction Recovery Program are outlined below:

- Recovery meetings are held in Church buildings and typically last 60 to 90 minutes.

- Recovery meetings operate under the direction of local priesthood leaders with orientation, training, and support from LDS Family Services.

- Recovery meetings are based on gospel principles which help participants make and keep sacred covenants.

- The original Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous have been adapted into a framework of the doctrines, principles, and beliefs of the Church and are outlined in the workbook:  A Guide to Addiction Recovery and Healing.  This Guide is used in every meeting.

- Experienced program leaders create a safe environment in each recovery meeting where participants encourage one another by sharing experiences of faith and hope.

- Recovery meetings are free, anonymous and confidential.           No referral is needed.

- Recovery meetings address any kind of addiction that can include the use of substances such as tobacco, alcohol, coffee, tea, and drugs (both prescription and illegal), and behaviors such as gambling, codependency, viewing pornography, inappropriate sexual behavior, and compulsive eating.

- Most meetings are termed “General Addiction Recovery Groups” but addiction specific groups are also offered in some locations.  They include: “Pornography Addiction Recovery Groups (for Men)”, “Pornography Addiction Recovery Groups (for Women)”, and “Unhealthy Eating Patterns Recovery Groups.”

- “Family Support Groups” and “Pornography Addiction Support Groups (for Spouses)” are also offered in some locations.

Recovery and Healing Manual Available

A Guide to Addiction Recovery and Healing manual can be:

1) Purchased through Church Distribution (Item #36764)

2) Downloaded for free in PDF format at  PDF Version - Guide To Recovery and Healing. It is available in multiple languages.

3) Downloaded for free in audio version at Audio Version – A Guide To Recovery and Healing.

Your Spiritual Reality

Elder Bruce C. Hafen once noted:

“I ask you to take every possible step, every day, to align your physical and emotional life with the spiritual reality of who you really are.  Even if you can open only a tiny space for God’s influence in your life now, open it up, all that you can.  Say ‘yes’ to Him, over and over, and He will help you make ever more room for Him in your heart.  Then your confidence will grow—not only in Him, but in yourself. ” (From an address given at the Evergreen International annual conference on September 19, 2009.)

The Addiction Recovery Program of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will direct you in taking those steps that will help you align your life with the Spirit in such a way that truly living in recovery every day will become your own miracle and your own reality!

Gospel Principle

The Church has an addiction recovery program that has been adapted from the original Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous into a framework of the doctrines and beliefs of the Church.  These 12 steps are found in A Guide to Addiction Recovery and Healing, which is available to priesthood leaders and other members.

Additional Resources

Lia McClanahan, “Addiction Recovery: Healing One Step at a Time,” Ensign, Jun. 2009.

James E. Faust, “The Power to Change,” Ensign, Nov. 2007.

By J. Douglas LeCheminant, LCSW. Counseling Program Manager For LDS Family Services.