Abstinence Is Not Recovery

abstinence, Recovery, Step 3

Abstinence is not always recovery. What?!? Many people want to believe that abstinence is the end-all of a Twelve Step program. While it’s extremely important, abstinence is the result, not the goal. Recovery is not born of abstinence. Abstinence grows from recovery....

The Faith that Leads to Deliverance

Addiction, Recovery

I, Nephi, will show unto you that the tender mercies of the Lord are over all those whom he hath chosen, because of their faith, to make them mighty even unto the power of deliverance. (1 Nephi 1:20; emphasis added) Abstinence is not a result of anything I do.  It is...
With God, Nothing Is Impossible

Practicing Abstinence

abstinence, Change of Heart, Led by Spirit, Recovery

And thus mercy . . . encircles them in the arms of safety. (Alma 34:16) Learning how to be abstinent is like learning how to walk on a balance beam. At first, you are very, very clumsy.  You gain your balance for a moment, take a couple of shuffling steps, and then...