Rachel Evans
Addiction is a complex disease that not only affects the individual but also their loved ones. For those struggling to support a loved one with addiction, the Catholic Church offers a variety of resources, including prayer and rehabilitation services. The Church emphasizes the importance of God's grace and mercy in the recovery process, encouraging individuals to seek help through prayer and meditation. Additionally, the Church provides support groups such as Catholic in Recovery, which combines the Twelve Steps of recovery with Catholic teachings, and Al-Anon, which specifically addresses the impact of a family member's alcoholism. The Church also recognizes patron saints of addiction, such as St. Matthias and St. Augustine, whose lives serve as testaments to the power of faith and repentance in overcoming addiction. These saints, along with prayers like the Novena for Addiction Recovery, provide comfort and inspiration for those seeking healing and freedom from addiction.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Prayer | Praying to God for help and guidance, following the Novena for Addiction Recovery, and seeking intercession from patron saints of addiction like St. Jude, St. Matthias, and St. Augustine |
| Scripture | Referring to Biblical passages like Matthew 22:37-39 on loving God and neighbors, and understanding the Church's teachings on chastity and avoiding sin |
| Support Groups | Joining Catholic support groups like Catholic in Recovery (CIR) to find communal support and share experiences with others facing similar struggles |
| Treatment and Rehabilitation | Accessing specialized Catholic resources for treatment and rehabilitation, such as the Catholic in Recovery Workbook: A Guide to the Twelve Steps, and utilizing national helplines for guidance |
| Personal Reflection | Reflecting on one's emotions and recognizing the impact of a loved one's addiction, understanding the limits of one's control, and practicing self-care |
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What You'll Learn
Praying the Novena for Addiction Recovery
Day 1
"Dear Lord, we thank You and praise You for Your never-ending mercy and love. We come before You to implore Your assistance in recovery from addiction. You know intimately the many struggles and sufferings that people face each day in our fallen world. We know that You are always ready to help us in these struggles and sufferings whenever we ask. We ask You now to be with us and with all who are suffering because of an addiction. Please graciously pour Your grace upon all those who are struggling with addiction, especially those who are having trouble admitting their problem! Help us to remember that You always long to help us in all things. Help us to turn to You for help in every circumstance of need or suffering we face in our lives.
I especially ask in this novena (mention your intentions here). Lord, have mercy on us, now and always! In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit."
Day 2-8
Repeat the same prayer as Day 1 for eight consecutive days.
Day 9
"Please pour Your merciful assistance on all who struggle with addiction, and especially help them to grow in the trust in You they need to find true recovery! Help us to grow in all virtues and to seek a deeper relationship with You each day of our lives. Help us to turn to You in trust, in every need and difficulty we encounter.
I especially ask in this novena (mention your intentions here). Lord, have mercy on us, now and always! In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit."
Additionally, there are specific novenas dedicated to saints who are known for their intercession in addiction-related situations, such as the Novena to St. Rita of Cascia for impossible or desperate cases, and the Novena to Venerable Matt Talbot, who himself overcame alcohol addiction.
Remember, as Catholics, we have rich ways to maintain conscious contact with God and to be filled with His love. Praying the Novena for Addiction Recovery is one way to harness the power of prayer and God's grace to aid in the challenging journey of addiction recovery.
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Understanding God's love and mercy
God's love and mercy are infinite and beyond human comprehension. As Catholics, we are called to embrace and share God's love, which is reflected in His union with creation and demonstrated through His mercy. Understanding God's love and mercy can be a transformative experience, providing healing and a deeper connection with God and others.
In Catholic teaching, God's love and mercy are intertwined. God's love is shown through His mercy, and we reflect His love by extending mercy to others. This is exemplified in the story of the paralytic man in Luke 5:18-25, where Jesus forgives the man's sins and heals him, demonstrating God's power to bring spiritual, emotional, and physical healing.
The incarnation of God's Word in Jesus of Nazareth is a powerful manifestation of God's love and union with humanity. Jesus' life, Passion, death, and Resurrection reveal the fullness of God's love and mercy. On the night of the Resurrection, Jesus appeared to His disciples, offering them peace and forgiveness despite their denial and abandonment of Him. This act of mercy illustrates God's unwavering love and willingness to restore and reconcile.
To understand and experience God's love and mercy more deeply, surrender and trust are essential. By surrendering to God, we open ourselves to His love, mercy, and power. This involves more than intellectual knowledge; it requires a heartfelt turning to God, a sincere transformation of our hearts, minds, and souls toward Him. As we draw closer to God, we can receive His healing and grace, enabling us to love and serve others more effectively.
Practices such as prayer, meditation, and the sacraments can help us cultivate a deeper understanding of God's love and mercy. Through these spiritual disciplines, we can seek to emulate Jesus, who is the ultimate model of love, gentleness, mercy, grace, freedom, and faithfulness. By following His example, we can learn to love as He loves and extend mercy and compassion to those around us, including those struggling with addiction.
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Seeking support from Catholic in Recovery
Catholic in Recovery is a nonprofit organization that provides support to those suffering from addictions and unhealthy attachments, including alcoholism, drug addiction, pornography addiction, sex and relationship addiction, compulsive overeating, food addictions, gambling addiction, and codependency. The organization was founded by Scott Weeman, who found healing through the twelve-step recovery program and the love and mercy of the Catholic Church.
Catholic in Recovery offers a variety of resources to aid in recovery, including:
- The Catholic in Recovery Workbook: This workbook offers a guide to working through the twelve steps of recovery from a Catholic perspective. It is designed for those struggling with addictions, compulsions, and unhealthy attachments, as well as loved ones of addicts.
- Virtual Support Groups: There are 16 different virtual support groups held daily, focusing on various addictions and specific topics such as general recovery, lust addiction, family and friends support, and eating disorder recovery. These groups provide a safe, non-judgmental space for healing and support.
- Podcasts and Blogs: Catholic in Recovery hosts a podcast that explores topics related to addiction recovery and the Catholic faith. The website also features a blog with reflections, testimonies, advice, and insights on a Catholic approach to addiction recovery.
- Emails and Retreats: By signing up for emails, individuals can stay informed about upcoming events and retreats, receive the latest blog articles and podcast episodes, and access other resources to deepen their recovery and faith.
In addition to Catholic in Recovery, other organizations within the Catholic community offer support for those struggling with addiction. For example, MyCatholicDoctor provides pro-life Catholic healthcare and has an Addiction Medicine Team that offers a safe environment for recovery. They also have telehealth appointments for those who prefer confidential one-on-one support. Strong Catholic Family Faith is another resource that provides guidance and tools for individuals and families facing addiction, offering a national helpline and treatment referral services.
For those seeking support from Catholics in Recovery, these organizations offer a wealth of resources, community, and spiritual guidance to aid in the journey towards healing and recovery from addiction.
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Learning from the Patron Saint of Addiction
While there is no single patron saint for addiction, St. Maximilian Kolbe is regarded as the patron saint of drug addicts. St. Maximilian was a Polish Franciscan Friar and missionary to Japan who was imprisoned in Auschwitz during World War II, where he was killed by a lethal injection of carbolic acid. He is seen as a symbol of hope and inspiration for those struggling with addiction, and his selfless act of sacrificing his life for another person is often invoked as a powerful intercessor for those seeking healing and freedom from addiction.
St. Matthias is another saint associated with addiction. He was the apostle chosen to replace Judas Iscariot and was sent to preach the Gospel after Jesus' ascension. Matthias emphasized the importance of controlling one's physical desires to attain inner peace and good health in both body and soul through the Holy Spirit.
For alcohol addiction, Venerable Matt Talbot is a source of inspiration. Born into an impoverished Irish family with an alcoholic father, Talbot himself developed a serious alcohol addiction at a young age. However, he experienced a spiritual awakening in 1884 and committed to a life of sobriety, attributing his success in overcoming addiction to his deep faith and devotion to God. Talbot is known for his piety and willingness to help others struggling with alcoholism.
St. Camillus de Lellis is the patron saint for those struggling with gambling addiction, and St. Augustine is invoked for sex addiction.
For Catholics, the saints provide a source of strength and intercession in times of difficulty. The stories of these saints offer guidance and hope to those struggling with addiction and their loved ones. The saints serve as role models, demonstrating the power of faith and perseverance in overcoming addiction and inspiring individuals to seek healing and freedom from their afflictions.
In addition to seeking the intercession of saints, Catholics facing addiction or supporting loved ones struggling with addiction can turn to various resources. Catholic organizations offer guidance and support, providing information, rehabilitation, and treatment resources to help individuals and families overcome addiction and pursue lifelong recovery.
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Calling national helplines
Catholic Charities HELP Line
Catholic Charities offers a helpline for individuals and family members facing mental and/or substance use disorders. Their number is 845-794-8080 xHELP (4357). They provide free Narcan training, which can help save a life in the event of a heroin or opiate overdose. They also offer specialised adolescent programming and support in many area school districts.
National Helpline
The National Helpline, 1-800-662-HELP (4357), is a confidential, free, 24/7, 365-days-a-year information service in English and Spanish. It is also known as the Treatment Referral Routing Service and can be reached by those facing mental and/or substance use disorders.
NYS OASAS Treatment Locator
This online treatment locator, provided by Catholic Charities, helps individuals find treatment providers and resources in their area: https://webapps.oasas.ny.gov/providerDirectory/index.cfm/
Catholic Drug and Alcohol Rehab Centres
There are numerous Catholic drug and alcohol rehab centres that can strengthen your loved one's relationship with God and treat the root cause of addiction. These centres are directly affiliated with the Church and Church agencies across the US. They offer various programs, including detox, individualized therapies, and support groups, to help your loved one on their journey to recovery.
Remember, these helplines are here to provide support and guidance. By calling these numbers, you can take the first step towards helping your loved one overcome their addiction and build a foundation for lasting recovery.
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Frequently asked questions
You can help your loved one struggling with addiction by praying for them and guiding them to the right rehabilitation and treatment resources. You can also seek support from communities such as Catholic in Recovery, which can help you deepen your love for God and others.
Prayer is a powerful tool in helping your loved one recover from addiction. You can pray for God's help and guidance, asking Him to give your loved one the strength and grace needed to persevere on their journey to recovery.
Strong Catholic Family Faith is an organisation that provides substance abuse resources and guides individuals and families to the best rehabilitation and treatment resources. They also have a national helpline that is confidential, free, and available 24/7.
The Twelve Steps of recovery is a Catholic guide that can be used by those impacted by addictions, compulsions, and unhealthy attachments. It involves seeking to improve conscious contact with God and understanding what true love means.
Yes, there are several patron saints associated with addiction that your loved one can call upon for intercession and guidance. These include St. Matthias, St. Augustine, St. Maximilian Kolbe, Matt Talbot, and St. Camillus de Lellis.
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