I had an interesting conversation with a recovering heroin addict sitting next to me on a flight earlier this week. Sometimes I wonder if I may be an “addiction magnet” since it seems that several times a week I find myself discussing the subject often even with total strangers.
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Surely it has something to do with my comfort with the subject and my advocacy efforts, but the sad truth is that there are very few people on this planet living untouched by at least the collateral damage of addiction and substance abuse. So almost everyone can relate to this topic of discussion and in many cases are actually eager to unburden themselves in the anonymous manner that comes with talking to a stranger, to ask a couple burning questions they have about a friend or family member, or just out of intellectual curiosity.
Our flight was an especially rough one traveling through the storms that have caused flooding in many parts of the Midwest this week. Not only did my new friend admit to a life long fear of flying, he was also far enough along in his recovery to feel that he yet lacked the tools to deal with the stress involved in facing both the flight and the court date that made it necessary. Explaining that after repeated failures with rehab and other programs he attributes his recent and only serious stint of sobriety to Teen Challenge USA, a faith based recovery program that involves total immersion into a new (Christian) lifestyle and environment.
While I readily admit that faith based programs are not for everyone, I am a firm “believer” that faith based programs usually have a much higher success rate because they tackle more than just the drug and alcohol part of an addiction… they also address the total lifestyle and behavior issues. Another big plus such programs have is their low cost, a year in a Teen Challenge program can cost as little as $500. That’s less than a day in many less-than-posh rehabs. And of course there is the faith, one of the most powerful things known to man and one of the few more powerful than drugs and alcohol… for those that can tap into it.
These types of faith based programs do have their detractors and everyone has heard a horror story or two of abuse and brainwashing. I cannot verify any of these less than favorable stories, however I can personally attest to several positive and enlightening accounts of faith based program successes including Teen Challenge and Celebrate Recovery.
After our flight I wished the guy luck and told him I would try to get to one of the local Teen Challenge centers in my area so that I can share an interview or two with my readers. I’ll see if I can’t work that in soon. Remember, if you ever you feel sort of a magnetic pull to share your story (and you not sitting next to a guy in a cape)- come here and do it at The Discovering Alcoholic.
