There is Hope!
We have found the resources below useful for dealing with prescription drug addiction, even if they don’t fully reflect my personal views (if you are new to recovery, you will find there are many different ideas regarding the nature of addiction and recovery). It’s merely a starting point.
If you have more questions about how to find help, I am happy to point you toward more resources, but I am neither a counselor nor an expert.
The best place to start dealing with prescription drug addiction is your doctor. If he/she doesn’t take it seriously, find another. Depending on the drug, the amount you are taking, the length of time you’ve been taking it, you may need medically supervised detox.
But detox is only a start on the road of recovery. You need support. And if it’s a loved one who is battling addiction, you need support as well.
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The National Association for Christian Recovery
A comprehensive website full of resources for Christians battling addiction and their loved ones.
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Recovery Groups
- Celebrate Recovery is a Christ-based, church-based 12 Step recovery program designed for both addicts and their loved ones. (We tried a few in our area before finding one where we were comfortable. The Step Studies challenged us deeply and have given us strong friends and accountability partners to walk with us through the healing process and beyond.) Twitter: @celebraterecvry
- Pills Anonymous Similar to AA and NA, 12 Steps for addicts (not necessarily Christ-based)
- Christians in Recovery Multiple resources, including database of meetings, counselors, rehab facilities and more @christiansinrec
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Information about prescription drug addiction
- National Institute on Drug Abuse Be sure to check out their list of the most commonly abused prescription drugs @NIDAnews
- National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Inc. (NCADD) For nearly 70 years, NCADD has been a valuable resource for millions of people struggling with addiction. @NCADDNational
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A few of the Christian voices in addiction recovery
* I know there are many more, but these are a few of the writers I read on a fairly regular basis.
- Michael Liimatta spent 17 years as Director of Education for the Association of Gospel Rescue Missions. In addition to his current work as the Chief Academic Officer of City Vision College, he blogs and tweets about recovery. His website has resources for everyone, including churches. @mliimatta
- Heather Kopp Heather Kopp is the author of Sober Mercies: How Love Caught Up with a Christian Drunk. Heather is especially interested in raising awareness in the Christian community about topics related to addiction and recovery. She blogs at HeatherKopp.com and at The Huffington Post. @HeatherLKopp
- John Baker founder of Celebrate Recovery @JohnBakerCR
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A few organizations doing great things in addiction recovery
- The Herren Project non-profit foundation established by former NBA basketball player, Chris Herren, that assists individuals and families struggling with addiction. @HerrenProject
- Gregg’s Gift Resources for families dealing with young adults struggling with addiction. Gregg’s Gift is also a nonprofit advocating to help to reduce, and hopefully eliminate, the illegal sale of prescription pills on the Internet. @Greggsgift
- Lock the Cabinet Resources specifically for parents and prevention. Educating parents on the epidemic of prescription drug abuse among youth. @lockthecabinet
- Teen Challenge Nearly 200 residential Teen Challenge centers across the USA provide care for people of all ages demonstrating a need for intensive help with life-controlling problems.
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If you have had valuable experience with other resources specifically for struggling with prescription drug addiction, please contact me.
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Photo Credit: Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, FSA/OWI Collection, LC-DIG-fsa-8b31801