Addiction is a problem in our society that has reached epidemic proportions. We probably all know someone who struggles with an addiction to alcohol or drugs. Perhaps we have a family member who struggles with these issues and we may even have lost someone who has died due to an addiction-related disease or overdose. These are serious problems and they don’t just affect the person… they have a ripple effect into all of the person’s relationships.
Addiction
There are many secular programs, which have good intentions and practical applications, that help people battle their addictions. However, secular programs do not get to the heart of the problem, because although addiction has physical signs, symptoms, and issues it is primarily a spiritual problem. It is idolatry…. putting their addiction ahead of everything else in their life and it becomes their worship.
As a biblical counselor, my role is to point the person to the scriptures and strongly recommend they be connected with a Christian addictions recovery program to help them repent and turn away from their addiction. I offer coaching, accountability, and solid biblical teaching on a weekly basis in a virtual format to help them begin the process of living life free from addiction through the study of God’s Word, and prayer.
Trauma and PTSD
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) happens from exposure to an overwhelmingly stressful event or series of events, such as war, rape, or abuse. It can even occur after an accident or natural disaster event that causes severe injury, loss of life, or other losses for individuals and families. It is a normal response, by normal people, to an abnormal situation.
These events are typically unexpected and severe and may be seen as dangerous to self or others, reducing our ability to respond properly. When this occurs help is often needed by the persons involved to help begin the process of healing physically, emotionally, and spiritually, from the trauma, the event has caused them. This takes time and requires compassionate counseling by someone who understands the issues.
Biblical counseling with a trained trauma counselor can help to answer the questions that inevitably come up after a traumatic event. God’s Word offers comfort, healing, and hope as the individual goes forward with a stronger faith in the God who loves them and understands their trauma more than any other person.