USA (MNN) — More than 16 percent of Americans over the age of 12 struggled with substance abuse in the past year. The five most common addictions in the United States are alcohol, nicotine, marijuana, opiates, and inhalants.
If someone you love is battling addiction, you’re not alone. “Everybody knows somebody who struggles with addiction,” Brandon Bower with The Lighthouse says.
“A lot of times people get into [substance use] just to have fun or relax. If, 20 years down the road, they could see the wake of destruction they are causing, I think they would second-guess that (choice.) We end up hurting the people we love the most – our wives, our kids, our parents.”
The Lighthouse offers residential recovery rooted in a biblical approach, “and it is life-transforming,” Bower says. More about that here.
“We are attracting men from all over the United States because of The Lighthouse’s unique approach.”
But addiction recovery isn’t just about the individual—it’s about the whole family.
“You can’t just take a man out of their family for six months and expect the family to survive. We’re offering counseling and support; we have a food bank,” Bower says.
“We have a team of people behind the scenes loving on the families and supporting the families as their dads get help at The Lighthouse.”
A new resource helps families understand the recovery process and the hope only Christ can offer. You can order the booklet here on Amazon.
“The Lighthouse recently released a publication called ‘What Do I Do Now?’ It’s a guide to help those who love someone who struggles with life-altering addiction,” Bower says.
Ask the Lord to strengthen and sustain the staff at The Lighthouse. “This is an emotionally draining field,” Bower says.
“You’re working with really broken and hurting people, and it can be exhausting. We’re dealing with some of the most broken individuals in society and seeking to restore their lives.”
Furthermore, “Pray for the families of those who have someone struggling with addiction, that God gives them the wisdom of what the next steps are,” Bower adds.
Header image is a representative stock photo courtesy of Annie Spratt/Unsplash.
