by Hope Elisa Ann Bryant, Founder of Rebuilding Lives Ministry, written during National Recovery Month.
It is always important to honor the mothers, fathers, siblings, caretakers, and youth among us who have first-hand experience with substance use disorder. Many of us are walking different paths, some struggling with an addiction, some dealing illegal substances on the streets, and some working as teachers, doctors, and lawyers trying to address root causes and affect lifestyle changes. Whatever role we play in our communities, we all take time to help those we love who are struggling with addiction.
Substance misuse, identified as a brain disease, has the potential to take over a person’s life long before they actually die. There are countless reasons why people turn to substances such as drugs and alcohol. But the root cause is often the same: it starts as a way to cope with “life,” and soon takes over everything about one’s life. The addiction becomes a pattern, controlling the person instead of them controlling it. When speaking about separating oneself from that dependence, it’s important to focus on a person’s critical condition and convey the belief that recovery and restoration can happen. Access to harm reduction services is crucial for overcoming addiction, providing the necessary tools and support to help people safely begin their journey to recovery.
For people of faith, there can be an additional layer of support and belief. Many of our traditions teach that with God’s help, lives that feel broken can be transformed into something beautiful; lives that feel hopeless can become lives full of purpose and meaning. God works from all angles, sending encouraging friends for the journey, offering inner sustenance through prayer, lifting us up during worship, and knowing our needs even before we ask. When we drink from the well of God’s grace. we often find ourselves looking for a way to live that offers glory to God for this goodness and turns that goodness outward to those around us. God’s love for us shines outward through our own acts of grace. Trusting God allows us to become a living testimony of transformation–moving from darkness to light.
I am living proof of what God can do. God waited patiently to bring me back from the brink of death after 18 years of substance use. Prayer and support from the community were crucial! Ephesians 3:20-21 tells us, “Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, unto him be glory in the church. . .” (KJV). God offers us the inner strength to heal, but we have to take hold of it. We have to be willing to receive it and receive the support of our faith community. For God and the community to be at work in our lives, it is crucial to have access to life-saving services to aid our recovery journey. Whatever challenges we face, we must educate ourselves on the resources available and seek the support of those around us. Paul said it well in 1 Thessalonians 4:13, “But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about those who have died, so that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope” (NKJV). We are, indeed, people of hope.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Hope Elisa Ann Bryant | MA, LCAS, CSAC, RC
Hope Bryant is a native of North Carolina. She received her bachelor’s degree in Human Services/Psychology from Gardner-Webb University in 2015, master’s degree in Trauma/Human Service Counseling from Regent University in 2017, and certificates in Theological Studies/Christian Leadership from Liberty University in 2022.
She founded Rebuilding Lives Ministries in Jonesville, CEO of Hope Recovery Services (501c3), Inc. and currently holds associate licensure as a Licensed Clinical Addictions Specialist (LCAS), and Recovery Coach. She serves as Community Health Work Region 2 Lead. She served 3 years on Partners Health Management board. She has worked in outpatient substance abuse and mental health settings, youth and family-settings with stakeholders, and is currently the site director for a DUI school in the Yadkin Valley.
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