- E.  TEN SPIRITUAL TIPS FOR RECOVERY Your freedom must first be gained in the spiritual realm before it can be experienced in the physical and emotional realms. Take to heart the following tips as you walk down the road to recovery.

#1  The time to begin your recovery is today. Hebrews 3:15

#2  Realize that recovery is a lifelong process, not a onetime event. Philippians 3:12

#3  Pray daily for victory! It is through prayer that God protects you. Matthew 26:41

#4  Read your Bible every day in order to get strength from God. Psalms 119:28

#5  Meditate on Scripture to fight against falling into sin. Psalms 119:11

#6  Attend church every week to worship God and to grow with others. Hebrews 10:24-25

#7  Share your struggles with caring loved ones. James 5:16

#8  Have confidence in God! Prioritize growing in your relationship with Him.     Matthew 6:33

#9  Depend on Christ's strength to stay drug free. Philippians 4:13

#10 Know that permanent change is possible. Luke 1:37

F.  SET BENEFICIAL BOUNDARIES . . . WITH THE ONE ADDICTED Boundaries are barriers that protect from external harm and guard against internal harm. Those involved with someone struggling with a chemical dependency need to learn how to set appropriate limits on what they do for their loved one. These boundaries will help prevent you from taking on excessive responsibilities that belong to your loved one. Boundaries serve to keep the addict's problem from becoming your problem.

• Give up all expectations of the addict.  Psalms  62:5
• Learn to detach from the addict's problem, and take control of your life.  Psalms 25:15
• Shift your focus from the addict's behavior to your responses. Lamentations 3:40
• Learn all you can about drug abuse. Proverbs 16:16
• Stop acts that are enabling (making excuses, protecting). Psalms 50:21
• Let the addict know the effects of the addiction on you and on others. Ephesians 4:25
• Pray for and expect God to bring consequences into the addict's life. Proverbs 5:21-23

  THE DON'TS OF DIALOGUE (See Handout)

A.  HOW DOES A CHEMICAL DEPENDENCY DEVELOP?

1. Pain from the past . . . Provocation  (Proverbs 14:13)

a. Mood-altering drugs (Proverbs 14:12) b. Addiction (Romans 6:20-21) c. Violating values (Proverbs 12:19) d. Guilt (Psalms 38:4) e. Shame (Psalms 44:15)

B. WHAT ARE THE MOST INFLUENTIAL FACTORS?

1. External Factors . . . Family and Social

2. Internal Influences . . . Genetic and Psychological

C. WHAT EXCUSES DO PEOPLE GIVE?

1. I need it...

2. I want it...

D. WHAT IS THE ROOT CAUSE?

1. To treat a legitimate medical problem

2. To feel a pleasurable sensation

A. WHAT ARE THE WARNING SIGNS OF SUBSTANCE ABUSE?

1. EMOTIONAL

2. PHYSICAL

3. BEHAVIORAL

4. SPIRITUAL

B. A CHECKLIST FOR DISCOVERING A CHEMICAL DEPENDENCY

A. WHAT IS A DRUG?

1. Three primary ways of using drugs are . . .

a. Ingesting                                                                                                                                                                                b. Inhaling                                                                                                                                                                                     c. Injecting

2. Three ways of obtaining drugs are . . .

a. Over-the-counter b. Prescription c. Illegally

B. WHAT IS SUBSTANCE ABUSE? 

1. There are Five types of substance abusers.

a. Experimental b. Recreational                                                                                                                                                                         c. Regular d. Binge                                                                                                                                                                                      e. Dependent

C. WHAT ARE THE FOUR MAJOR TYPES OF DRUGS?

1. Depressants

2. Stimulants

3. Hallucinogens

4. Narcotics