addiction

Five Reasons to Choose A Faith-Based Rehab Program

If you or a loved one suffers from drug or alcohol addiction, it can be intimidating to decide upon a course of action. When looking into treatment, individuals and families are left with a difficult question – “Which treatment option would be the most beneficial?” If you or a loved one are seeking treatment, it’s important to weigh all available options.

Many different approaches to recovery are likely to be effective. However, there are teachings central to secular addiction recovery that can hinder one from healing. Incorporating Christian principles into your recovery will not only help you heal from your addiction; these Christian principles will give you newfound direction and purpose in life.

Here are five reasons to choose a Faith-based Christian recovery program:

  1. Freedom through Christ
  2. Heal Inwardly and Outwardly
  3. Rediscover Yourself
  4. Find Hope
  5. Support After Treatment

Find Freedom through Christ

Secular treatment facilities teach service recipients (SR’s) about the scientific and psychological components of addiction, but do not directly address its spiritual nature. The methodology of medical addiction recovery often leaves patients feeling hopeless, as if they have no chance of redemption. Secular treatment facilities teach SR’s that addicts have a life long disease for which the only hope is remission. This “disease” is supposedly so powerful that it will pervade the way a recovering person thinks for the duration of their lives. Additionally, those who struggle to stay sober, especially after prior attempts to recover, are subtly taught to see themselves as defective.

Graduates of secular treatment facilities are strongly encouraged to attend Alcoholics Anonymous meetings. Here is an excerpt from The Big Book, the foundational text of Alcoholics

Anonymous:

“Those who do not recover are people who cannot or will not completely give themselves to this simple program, usually men and women who are constitutionally incapable of being honest with themselves. They are such unfortunates. They are not at fault; they seem to have been born that way. They are naturally incapable of grasping and developing a manner of living which demands rigorous honesty.”

At S2L Recovery, we do not believe that people who struggle with addiction are defective. Instead, we believe in the redemptive power of Jesus Christ. The Bible teaches that every person is made in the image of God, including those struggling with addiction. Instead of a life of pursuing mere sobriety, a life centered around faith gives believers the gift of a calling and purpose. A Christ-centered life doesn’t bring about mere remission, it brings about thriving transformation.

“So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” (John 8:36, ESV)

“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.” (Romans 8:1-2, ESV)

Visit S2L Recovery to learn more about how a Christian treatment program can help set you free. 

Heal Inwardly and Outwardly

Coupled with effort and dedication, a faith-based alcohol and drug treatment program can help heal your inner wounds. Issues at the heart of addiction must be addressed in order to achieve long-term recovery. With the help of a Christian drug and alcohol treatment program, this can be accomplished. With counseling sessions in both group and one-on-one settings, SR’s at S2L Recovery are provided with opportunities to address the issues that led to their addictive behaviors. S2L Recovery also has a full medical team, allowing SR’s to receive medical treatment when needed.

We also value physical fitness at S2L Recovery. Our SR’s are able to exercise at a local gym several times a week. Our campuses have weight sets, as well as sizeable properties that are suitable for running or hiking. Entering a Christian-based alcohol and drug rehabilitation center is a surefire way to heal, inwardly as well as outwardly.

Rediscover Yourself

Spiritual beliefs are likely central to your worldview. Faith gives us a clearer perception of ourselves, the world, and its origins. Our opinions and interpretations of the people and circumstances we encounter every day can be positively altered through the view of Christ.
For those suffering from addiction, it is common for faith and hope to be supplanted by cynicism and doubt. At S2L Recovery, countless SR’s have experienced healing and freedom from addiction and past traumas.

“’For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’” (Jeremiah 29:11, ESV)

Find Hope

Through Christ, anything is possible. For those suffering from addiction, hope can be the difference between maintaining sobriety and giving up. Achieving short-term goals will give you the hope that you need in order to bring long-term goals to fruition.

The hope of the Gospel is at the heart of everything we teach in our faith-based Christian treatment program. The aim of any treatment program is to imbue its patients with hope, but only faith can give a person true, unwavering hope that can withstand any test or trial.

“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful.” (Hebrews 10:23, NIV)

Support After Treatment

Essential to any recovery program, a SR should have full support throughout their treatment. But what happens after the program is complete? Does the standard treatment center offer support to the SR’s for the rest of their life? Usually not. Unfortunately, the support offered by secular treatment programs usually ends when a patient completes the program. Faith-based Christian rehab programs offer their SR’s more than lessons about how to maintain sobriety – these programs provide lessons about the Word of God that will follow them throughout their lives, proving to be useful in every circumstance.

After graduation, godly fellowship is essential for continuing sobriety. During your time in treatment, our recovery coaches will help you determine your next steps, taking great care to set you up for success after completing the program. S2L Recovery has an extensive network of alumni spread across the country as well as intimate involvement with several churches. Staff members and counselors are always available to you via phone or text, happy to assist however they can. At S2L Recovery, you will establish genuine lifelong relationships!

Discover options for Christian addiction treatment and addiction recovery curriculum at S2L Recovery.

A New Life Is Possible

Addiction can take over your life, but you can take life back. A relationship with Christ can be the difference between stumbling blindly through life and following a direct path toward the life God created you to live. You can break free from the chains of addiction!

Contact S2L Recovery today!

Why You Should Choose a Non-Profit Rehab Center in Tennessee

Did you know that over 21 million Americans struggle with at least one addiction, and only 10% of them seek treatment? Tackling drug or alcohol addiction alone is very difficult, if not nearly impossible. For many, overcoming addiction appears to be an insurmountable task. However, with the right support and guidance, anyone can break free from the chains of addiction.

When you begin treatment at a non-profit rehab center in Tennessee, you can gain the knowledge, faith, and hope necessary to achieve long-term recovery. Our 7 Principles Curriculum at S2L Recovery has helped hundreds of individuals battle their addictions and come out on the other side victorious. If you’re curious about how a non-profit rehab center in Tennessee can help a person live a happy, healthy, and sober lifestyle in Christ, read on.

Here’s what you need to know about how a non profit rehab center in Tennessee can help you cope with addiction: 

  • Receive Support
  • Heal from Trauma
  • Build up Your Strength and Confidence Through Christ
  • Gain a New Perspective
  • Work on Personal Growth

Receive Support

Community is essential for happiness. Humans are designed to be social, and to support one another. Overcoming addiction alone is very difficult. This is where non-profit rehab centers in Tennessee come into play. A supportive treatment setting allows a person suffering from addiction to make genuine, like-minded friends, giving that person support and fellowship. Counselors will invest in you and continue to support you even after you graduate the program.

At some point every service recipient (SR) must return to life outside of the treatment center. It is here where graduating SR’s must incorporate the skills they learned in treatment. An SR learning how to walk in freedom from addiction might be tempted to return to their old friends and old habits. Without proper support, graduating SR’s may be tempted to find comfort and belonging in the wrong places. However, with support from our community and obedience to God’s will, temptation can be overcome.

Visit S2L Recovery to learn more about our 7 Principles Curriculum today!

Heal from Trauma

Addiction of any kind affects every facet of a person’s life. For most, drug and alcohol addiction begins as an attempt to cope with painful experiences and emotions. Typically, there are various factors that lead a person to substance abuse. These addictions can form as the result of difficult experiences in childhood, adolescence, or adulthood.

A non-profit rehab center in Tennessee will address these underlying issues. At S2L Recovery, we use Christ’s teachings to equip our SR’s with wisdom and strength. We also provide professional counseling, medical supervision, and positive fellowship to help overcome the traumas of their pasts. Biblical education and involvement in a genuine, caring community of believers is beneficial for all, especially for those struggling with addiction. Learning about and leaning on Christ provides the skills and knowledge we need to face life’s difficulties with confidence.

Build Up Your Strength and Confidence Through Christ

God wants you to experience freedom. Obedience to God’s will brings about transformation. Attending a non-profit rehab center in Tennessee can give you the time and guidance you need to see yourself how Jesus sees you – beautiful, purposeful, wonderfully and fearfully created, loved, and invaluable.

At S2L Recovery, the teachings of our Christ-centered curriculum gives SR’s the tools needed to analyze how they interact with the world around them. We work to help SR’s remain steadfast in their pursuit of a healthy lifestyle. A non-profit rehab center in Tennessee can help addicted individuals focus on realistic end goals to help weather the difficult times. The word of Christ helps SR’s to build the strength and determination needed to live a life of freedom.

Gain a New Perspective

For those struggling with addiction, it can be very difficult to understand how our actions affect those around us. While addiction can negatively affect an individual, it also hurts those around us, including our loved ones. With the Christian principles taught in a non-profit rehab center in Tennessee, SR’s can learn how to see life in a new way. This allows for more thoughtful decision making and optimism.

A relationship with Christ can teach a recovering person how to view the big picture and to understand that actions and behaviors have a wide-reaching effect on the world, whether good or bad. Understanding this new perspective can push SR’s to make decisions in a new way, with a greater understanding and appreciation for their impact on the world.

Work on Personal Growth

Healing is essential for a person to flourish in recovery. A stay at a non-profit rehab center provides SR’s a supportive, safe environment to rediscover themselves. After finding comfort and strength through Christ, those in recovery will feel empowered to make radical changes in their lives boldly. During recovery, it’s incredibly helpful to shed our former selves so we can incorporate new desire’s and learn to live a healthier lifestyle.

The 7 Principles Curriculum at S2L Recovery shows SR’s how great a life of freedom can truly be. S2L’s curriculum helps SR’s realize and experience how exciting and rewarding a faith-centered life of freedom can be. A life free from addiction is full of potential. A relationship with Christ will cause former addicts to feel hope, and for their dreams to become reality.

A New Life Is Possible

Addiction can take over your life, but you can take it back. A relationship with Christ can be the difference between stumbling blindly through life and following a direct path toward the life God created you to be.

Contact S2L Recovery today!

Christian Drug and Alcohol Rehab, Tackling the Pandemic in a Pandemic

Did you know that the amount of monthly deaths due to overdose increased by 30% in 2020? For the past few years, many have referred to the drug problem in the United States as an epidemic, or even a pandemic. With that in mind, seeking a sober life alone can be difficult for individuals suffering from alcohol or drug addiction.

When service recipients (SR’s) suffering from addiction begin treatment at a Christian drug and alcohol rehab program, they receive the support and guidance they need to improve their lifestyles, keeping them from becoming a statistic. That’s what Pastor Adam Comer from S2L Recovery recently discussed on Fox 17 News in Nashville, Tennessee. On April 10, 2021, Fox 17 News Nashville interviewed Pastor Comer on the intensifying effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the drug pandemic and American opioid crisis.

Here’s what Pastor Adam Comer (CEO of S2L Recovery) has to say about tackling the pandemic within a pandemic.

Tackling the Drug Pandemic in a COVID-19 World

For those suffering from addiction, one of the most difficult aspects of achieving long-term recovery is remaining strong despite everything life throws a recovering person’s way. Pastor Adam Comer touches on this during his Fox 17 Nashville interview as drug overdoses have increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. Lockdowns and COVID prevention restrictions led mass amounts of people to isolate themselves at home. For those in recovery as well as those still in active addiction, recovery was more difficult than ever.

For most people, tackling addiction can seem to be an impossible task. This is why Christian alcohol and drug rehab programs are so beneficial. Pastor Comer discusses how the right support during the journey to recovery is crucial. A Christian rehab program can help those addicted, isolated individuals learn to overcome addiction and find belonging among a genuine, caring community of believers.

Sobriety and addiction recovery isn’t easy, especially in a lonely, atomized society. The isolation that many people felt only intensified during the COVID pandemic. Treatment and community are critical on the road to recovery.

Pastor Adam Comer touches on how coronavirus restrictions have negatively impacted those who are languishing in the drug and opioid epidemic. During his interview, Adam Comer explains to Fox 17 News Nashville how S2L Recovery approaches addiction recovery. Through love and the teachings of Christ, S2L Recovery works to help patients remain steadfast in their pursuit of a joyful life free of addiction. Long-term recovery allows formerly addicted men to become leaders of their families, churches, businesses, and communities. If a man aligns himself with God’s will, anything is possible!

To watch Pastor Adam Comer (CEO of S2L Recovery) discuss the intensifying drug pandemic in a country ravaged by the ramifications of COVID, watch this Fox 17 News Nashville video here.

Transcript:
“In our special series “Addicted”, Fox 17 News is investigating the pandemic within the pandemic for all of those suffering from addiction while battling isolation and anxiety for more than a year now. Fox 17 News Kathleen Jacob tonight, looking into this issue for months and showing us how one Tennessee recovery center is working now to reach millions.”

“You may recognize Adam Comer from other stories we’ve done on the opioid crisis. He’s pastor and CEO of S2L Recovery, a Christ-based addiction recovery center in rural Cannon County.”

“What we’re dealing with is deadly and if we shut our doors, we know people will die.”

“He’s not talking about COVID-19, but the pandemic within the pandemic that’s grown exponentially since the world shut down.”

“When we were in lockdown and were distancing from people and were trying to isolate things like that— that’s the enemy for addiction.”

“And it’s backed up by scientific research with almost double the amount of people needing mental health help since before the pandemic started. It’s something those in the recovery field saw coming.”

“There was a fear there even then when we didn’t realize how long this was gonna go, because I feel like people like you guys who see this on a daily basis just knew how bad or had an idea I guess of how bad this could become – a pandemic in itself.”

“I mean the projected numbers and the preliminary numbers are astronomical for 2020 – astronomical suicides, astronomical overdoses and alcohol poisonings. It’s skyrocketing, so the need during this pandemic for people to go get help was ever present.”

“It’s why S2L Recovery got out of their comfort zone, knowing they needed to reach more people.”

“During this pandemic, some things just started becoming very popular. You had The Last Dance, the Michael Jordan documentary, The Tiger King documentary, and all of a sudden all of these documentaries started becoming popular. So it started to make sense, so we became obedient, and entering that process.”

“Obedient to the call to produce the forgotten pandemic.”

“It doesn’t get the attention that it needs, and the amount of people who are so succumbing to it and death, or the families just being ripped apart because of it, and so we’re trying to put
a light on that, and offer hope in that.”

“Not just highlighting a problem, but also that there’s a solution and hope. Hoping to save lives from succumbing to this pandemic within a pandemic.”

A New Life Is Possible

Addiction can take over your life, but you can take life back. A relationship with Christ can be the difference between stumbling blindly through life and following a direct path toward the life God created you to live. You can break free from the chains of addiction!

Contact S2L Recovery today!

Relapse–Don’t Loose Heart

The Thoughts After Recovery

It is safe to say that anyone who has struggled with addiction is never immune to tempting and dangerous thoughts. It is a strange thing to have made it through the hard part of the recovery process and still struggle with the idea of using. To think about going back to a lifestyle that is so destructive and detrimental to the lives of the user and the user’s friends and family. I call it strange because after becoming sober, truly confronting your past, and going through the painful process of reconciling with that past, the devastation caused is so clear. However, we feel that inevitable pull from the darkness. So, why does such a horrible lifestyle continue to haunt us after we have been sober for some time? How can we effectively and successfully battle these urges?

What is a Relapse?

First, let’s address the stigma of a “relapse”. The world and it’s “performance model of success” wants us to believe that we have failed the process and therefore, we must go back to the start. But if we believe with our hearts that we have already been forgiven and we are indeed living in a “purifying process” (sanctification) of life in Christ, then we don’t have to be haunted by these thoughts.

Words of the Lord the helped me through my addiction and recovery include:

“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” – 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

“Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange was happening to you.” – 1 Peter 4:12

I believe another answer for anyone dealing with this type of struggle after recovering from an addiction is the simple fact that we are indeed creatures of routine. There is a great book by Charles Duhigg called, The Power of Habit, in which he describes the physiological processes of our brains after a habit is formed. In short, our brain activity drastically decreases upon the formation of a habit. For example, when we back out of the driveway it is so ingrained in our unconscious, so routine that our brain doesn’t have to work very hard to complete the task. This very same thing happens in drug use and relapse- it is ingrained in our mind. Therefore, we have to form new habits in order to replace the harmful old ones.

Battling the Thoughts and Urges

How can we effectively and successfully battle these urges? It is almost a cliché to say, “fill the void”, but that is indeed what must be done. One of the most important things I have learned in my journey to be free from my addiction is that my using was a form of idol worship. I believe every single person fills their respective void with something. I believe this is a unique trait to every individual’s own human make up. In my own life, the only way that I can be free from the haunting pull of returning to my demons in drug use is to fill my thoughts and actions with the words of God and a desire to know Him more intimately.

“God has put eternity (or curiosity/ignorance) into our hearts and no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.” – Ecclesiastics 3:11

We are contemplative and inquisitive people who throughout our history have searched for meaning in spirituality. It is our formed opinions and beliefs about the spiritual world that shape our thoughts, actions, and desires. This quest or desire for something bigger than ourselves is at the very center of our existence. Once you start to consider that God is real, then the pursuit of anything other than a life led by Him seems so insignificant.

Recovery and Christianity

In my own life, I eventually had to succumb to the idea that there is a God. Then I had to decide what that looked like, or rather, which God was real to me. I love the Christian faith for so many reasons. One reason is that the stories are verifiable. Our New Testament (along with the Old Testament) tells the story of a transformation of religious customs and traditions by the death and resurrection of Jesus, bringing salvation to any who would believe and pursue Him. The story fulfills years of prophecy which can be traced throughout writings from hundreds and thousands of years previous.

After his death and resurrection, the New Testament tells the story of how this truth of the word of the Lord spread across the known world. With that, there was also the persecution that came to those who chose to spread the beliefs of the Christian faith. What is so amazing to me about this story is how many different people gave account to the same thing. I use to think, how is Christianity any different from a modern-day cult? One simple, yet powerful argument is that the men and women who were the first ones through the door of modern Christianity were continuously imprisoned, beaten, and murdered in horrendous ways. Why would so many people so passionately pursue something that wasn’t real when they knew that it meant a life lived in poverty and quite probably, torture and painful death?

All of this is important, but the main reason I choose to believe in Jesus Christ is because of what he stood for. Some words from the Bible that further my belief in a life led by my beliefs are:

“Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus, but the Pharisees and teachers of the law muttered, ‘this man welcomes sinners and eats with them.’’ – Luke 15:1-2

Tax collectors in the time of Jesus have no comparison by today’s standards. In that time, the land was under Roman rule by way of the Roman army. Roman soldiers were beyond cruel. Imagine a foreign army invades, rapes and murders your family, and then they hire your neighbor to collect taxes from you to be given back to the very army that raped and murdered your family. This was the role of the tax collector in the time of Jesus, and yet he spoke with them, ate with them, loved them, and offered them salvation.

This is the what I choose to fill my void with – the pursuit of righteousness by way of Jesus Christ. Once set upon that path, temptations do not disappear, but they do diminish drastically.

S2L Recovery Healing Addicts in Middle Tennessee

Our S2L Recovery community constantly reminds us of the importance of a life through Jesus Christ. Through his words and teachings, we can help addicts journey down the path of recovery and the blossoming and nourishment of the Christian faith. If you or someone you love is struggling with a drug or alcohol addiction, please reach out to us and let us help you towards recovery!

It’s Time for an Intervention–Be Prepared – Part 2

An Intervention: What to do After the Plan has Been Set

We have discussed how to begin the preparation process for a formal intervention, noting the importance of what an intervention should encompass and entail. An intervention is an intentional time to sit down with someone we love and express love and concern. For many addicts, their intervention is a precious memory of something hard, but also something that put them on the path to change, on the path to recovery. There are so many factors that go into having a healthy intervention day.

The Day of the Intervention

Now that you have versed yourself on the preliminary necessities, it’s time for the day you’ve been strategizing for. You have the 3-8 people who love your loved one and want to genuinely help guide them through their addiction recovery. As a group, you have learned all you can about the addiction, and about how to help without enabling. You have prayed, shared and made plans of action. Everyone has agreed to the ground rules and now it’s time to do this thing.

Come up with a creative way to get your loved one to the intervention. Very few people with painful addictions will show up if they anticipate what is going on. Plan a family dinner, a game night, small party, or another engaging event. Have someone designated to pick up your loved one or to ensure that they come to the intervention. Have a planned start time, plan out where each person will sit, and have every single, meticulous detail worked out before your addicted loved one arrives. Place people of high influence closest to your loved one. (Side note: one of our friends shared that having his daughter right beside him during his intervention made a huge impact!)

Implementing the Intervention

When your loved one starts to realize what’s going on, they may start to think, “Oh great. Here it comes.” However, the idea is to shower them with love and to show them the light of Jesus through your words and actions. The greatest thing they need to take away is that you care deeply about them and so does God. Nothing else you say or do will matter if they don’t first hear your love and the Lord’s love.

Have the designated facilitator open up and share why you all are there. Everything communicated should be said with respect. Avoid any temptation to talk down to your loved one. It’s very important that we help them maintain their dignity through this addiction recovery process. They are already telling themselves all the worst things and believing all of it too. Your goal should be to see them as Christ sees them and then to treat them that way.

Once the table has been set for the intervention, go around the circle one at a time and have each individual read their letter to the addict. No one should interrupt anyone else, and no one should speak unless it’s their turn to read their letter. As emotions rise, the temptation to jump in, defend yourself or your loved one, or to react to manipulation will be strong. You want to do your best to keep everything calm because, in a situation like dealing with addiction, the environment could easily become a jumble of emotions, reactions and non-moving tension.

Concluding the Intervention and Taking the Next Steps

At this point during the intervention process, introduce the options for getting help, and be prepared to address any excuses that your loved one may give. Remember, this is scary for them. Their addiction is their comfort zone, and leaving it behind is terrifying. Let them know who their support team is. Their own personal rallying team who will plan to come by and check on the recovering addict, clean out unhealthy items, be with them, and pray with them through this process.

Be sure to have the chosen facilitator review the consequences laid out in the letters. Make it clear what life will look like if your loved chooses to get help and what their life will look like if they choose to not pursue rehabilitation. Everyone will need to be prepared to follow through on their consequences. Having your own healthy boundaries is the most loving thing you can do to encourage your loved one to get the help they need.

By trying to love and care for them in the past, you may have been enabling their behavior for years. Change can be just as scary for us as for them. By the end of the intervention, the should facilitator collect the letters and save them for your loved one. These letters can be a great reminder down the road for your loved one as they pursue recovery to their addiction. If your loved one chooses the path to healing, it’s time to put your plans into action to get them the help they need.

Some Things to Remember After the Intervention

An intervention is simply the beginning of the journey for any recovering addict. The key to implementing a successful rehabilitation process is following through with everything said and promised. By leading a faith-based recovery path, there are many ways to embrace the word of God and continue down towards sobriety.

Once the intervention has concluded there are a few key components to keep close:

  • Don’t forget to pray – Every day, over and over. Nothing that we can do for our loved one is more powerful than prayer.
  • The intervention team should keep meeting – by continuing to be, the addicted loved one can’t manipulate anyone. It also helps keep everyone in the group accountable.
  • Continue to educate yourselves after the interventionseek help and support for yourself. The road to recovery is long and has many moving parts. Heal yourself too.
  • Do not give your loved one money – If you have to, go buy or pay for the specific need yourself. It’s better to never financially support someone in any type of an addiction.
  • When you are enabling an addict it causes stress an anxiety in your own life – Trying to help a loved one through addiction is a daunting journey. Codependency often means that your life and well-being depends on that person’s life and well-being. Understand the harmful potency of codependency especially when dealing with addiction. While your loved one recovers you too should attend meetings, join online support groups like Refuge for Families, and/or start seeing a Christian counselor or phycologist that specializes in codependency.
  • We are children of God, made in His image and with a purpose – Most importantly remember our identities are those of God’s children. He/She/You are not your addictions, hang-ups, pasts or hurts. Getting out of denial and accepting the problem is important, but we can’t stay in the “I’m an addict, alcoholic, codependent, etc,” mentality. We have to see who God calls us to be in order to move forward and to heal.

S2L Recovery in Middle Tennessee

Our S2L Recovery community is here to fulfill our purpose in guiding those struggling with addiction through a Christian-based rehabilitation program. If you or someone you love is in need of recovery, please reach out and let us walk with you. We are here to help you through this process towards a life with God and sobriety.

Home from REHAB, No More Bubble!

The Journey of Returning Home From Rehab

I have been home for almost three days now. While I was a student at S2L Recovery in Middle Tennessee, one of the things I heard most from staff and alumni was how difficult it is to stay diligent once you leave “the bubble.” Already, I have found this to be true. At S2L there are seven simple principles taught which can be found inside the pages of Lost and Found: Recovery in Christ. Inside of these teachings are four pillars:

  1. Pray
  2. Read your Bible
  3. Fellowship with good people
  4. Serve others

I should clarify although these are simple in principle and they are much harder in the application. As recovering addicts we want to stay true to these four disciplines, however, upon departure from a rehabilitation program, distractions come at you exponentially high rate. If you ask students who have been through a program repeatedly what they were lacking when they went back out into the real world, the answer is almost unanimously – lack of diligence, not lack of desire.

So, I ask myself, how do I maintain my discipline in these areas? How do I avoid or sift through the distractions and prioritize things? Before coming to S2L Recovery, I would often ignore details in my life. However, when we brush the small things off that require our attention, often the more important things in our lives begin to crumble. Indeed, the big things are often held together by the smaller things. Not just metaphorically, but literally. It is the cement between the bricks that hold a house together. You can’t have a piece of fabric without string. Why shouldn’t this apply to the tasks in our everyday lives?

Learning to Conquer the Distractions After Rehab

I am aware of what I need to do on a daily basis to continue in a life with Christ and sustain from drugs and/or alcohol, but if I do not implement those four pillars, I need to take a look at my priorities. It takes more than just a desire. I need to consistently tend to the details of my life. To do lists can be helpful, but only if you complete the tasks on the list. Personally, I need more than a to-do list. In my own life, it becomes more and more apparent how many bad habits I had and still have apart from drugs and alcohol. I never made my bed, I would wake up and scroll through social media, news headlines, and my hygiene even suffered.

Tending to the small things in my life now starts with making the bed when I wake up. As the director of S2L Recovery often says, “If you make your bed when you get up, you have already accomplished something for the day.” It is a small detail, but it is a small detail that can set the tone and pace for your entire day. Now instead of laying in bed all morning, I am up with a made bed, and I have the motivation to pray to God and to read his Word.

Believe me, if making your bed can set the tone for your day, talking with the Lord can transform your day. If you’re struggling to do the big things in your everyday life, then pay attention to the details that you have prioritized and continue down the path of recovery.

S2L Recovery Providing Faith-Based Rehabilitation Programs in Middle TN

If you or someone you know is struggling with an addiction, it’s time to take the step in a full recovery. Leading a Christian rehabilitation center has allowed S2L Recovery to changes lives and fulfill the word of the Lord. Please contact us today and let us help you discover peace through recovery and God.

“We want each of you to stay diligent until the very end, so that your hope may be fully assured” – Hebrews 6:11