Addiction Experience
Addiction Experience
BEGIN | ASSESSMENT | HEALING
BEGIN | ASSESSMENT | HEALING
ALCOHOLISM
IS ALCOHOL running your life? Have you made a commitment to quit or moderate your drinking but been unable to do so on your own? Does it seem like most of the problems in your life can be traced back to drinking?
Alcoholism affects countless people all around the world from all walks of life and all faith backgrounds. When struggling with an addiction and compulsion like this, it can feel that nothing will bring the healing and freedom you desperately seek.
Catholic in Recovery (CIR) can help you gain freedom from alcoholism. Still, despite a desire to begin recovery, there are many barriers to change that can make this journey a challenge. Denial, shame, fear, resentment, self-pity, selfishness, and pride are some of the potential obstacles that can keep us isolated within ourselves and unwilling to take the steps to receive God’s healing.
Admitting We Have a Problem
FOR ANY HEALING to begin, we must admit we have a problem. You are the only person who can identify yourself as someone who lives with alcoholism.
While many experiences are similar among those who struggle with alcoholism, some patterns may be different from one drinker to another. For instance, some cling to the drink on a daily basis and have a hard time fathoming a day without a drink. Others might be classified as binge drinkers who can refrain for days or weeks in a row but go on long, wreckless sprees that can last an unpredictable amount of time.
Only you can make the decision that you have troubles with alcohol and need help. Perhaps you have heard feedback from others who share their concerns about your drinking behavior, which can often be hard to receive while caught in the downward cycle of alcoholism. In moments of clarity, however, we might take an objective look at our life and see that there is a better way.
Take the below assessment to determine whether you likely have a problem with alcoholism.
CIR’S THREE RINGS OF HEALING
FELLOWSHIP + FREEDOM + FAITH | Recovery isn’t only about overcoming alcoholism (or any other addictive substance or behavior) but, rather, is about living with the freedom and joy that God desires for His beloved children. The solution CIR offers integrates three rings: fellowship, freedom, and faith. While these rings are separate and distinct from each other, they overlap to provide a holistic solution. Each one is necessary, and together they support your healing and freedom from alcoholism.
Fellowship | We don’t find healing alone—we do so in a community of fellow travelers. Just as we are connected as members of the body of Christ, so too are we connected in our healing journey from addiction.
Freedom | We find freedom, first and foremost, by grounding our trust in God and His grace. However, this entails doing our part to be receptive to that grace, which is where the wisdom of the Twelve Steps of recovery are key.
Faith | Through CIR retreats, spiritually-enriching books, faith-related resources, and connecting with a vibrant community of fellows committed to Christ, we strengthen our relationship with God. The principles of 12-step recovery are integrated with the wisdom of Catholic tradition to enable healing, freedom, and joy.
The solution we are proposing is not a new one—it’s one many have followed to find true healing. It relies on the wisdom of 12-step recovery and the grace-led tradition of the Catholic Church.
What Must I Do to Experience Healing & Freedom?
BEGIN YOUR JOURNEY of healing and freedom by taking these two steps today:
Find a Meeting | Many CIR meetings are “General Recovery” meetings that bring together individuals with a variety of addictions, compulsions, and unhealthy attachments (alcohol, drugs, food, lust, gambling, codependency, and many others) committed to finding freedom by blending the Twelve Steps and the sacraments.
Join CIR+ | As a CIR+ member, you’ll begin the Pathway to Recovery and receive emailed support, encouragement, and resources for the first 90 days to keep you accountable when recovery is the toughest. Getting over that 90-day hump is a major milestone in recovery and something we need all the help we can get. Even if you’ve been in recovery for a long time, we encourage you to join CIR+ for the resources available to combine your Catholic faith with recovery and deepen your love for Christ.
By signing up, you’ll become a CIR+ member with access to many benefits, including the digital workbook series. Watch a free sample video of the series below.
Related Blog Articles
FEATURED ARTICLE Pride, Addiction, & Saint Benedict’s Twelve Steps of Humility: A Working Theology of Recovery (Part 1) | “To get completely away from our aversion to the idea of being humble, to gain a vision of humility as the avenue to true freedom of the human spirit… READ MORE >>>
JOIN CIR+
CIR’s Digital Resource Platform | Join CIR+ today and you’ll find a community committed to recovery and the sacramental life of the Catholic Church. You’ll benefit from resources to nourish and sustain you on your recovery and spiritual journeys. And your financial support will help Catholic in Recovery offer hope and healing to those recovering from addictions, compulsions, and unhealthy attachments as well as their loved ones.
Plus, you can try CIR+ Premium for free with a 12-day trial and cancel at any time!
BENEFITS FOR CIR+ MEMBERS
+ Discounts on Catholic in Recovery products and CIR partners’ products (Ave Maria Press, Hallow, etc.)
+ Access to robust video learning modules on recovery-related issues
+ Access to the CIR digital workbook companion, which includes videos, prayers, exercises, and worksheets for all 20 sections
+ Access to a CIR community forum to connect with CIR members around the country
+ Access to Q&A Zoom sessions hosted by experienced CIR fellows for different addiction and unhealthy attachment types
+ Access to all CIR reflections books and guides to nourish your recovery and spiritual life