As a member of the faith community, you are in a unique position to provide guidance to those dealing with the effects of substance use and to represent the interests of your congregation to the rest of the community. By being compassionate, staying informed and engaging people in substance use issues, you can be a positive influence on those who look to you for spiritual leadership and assistance.

Action Steps

The Rush Center at the Johnson Institute suggests the following action steps for faith-based providers:

• Use multiple opportunities for awareness, education, and recovery support within congregational life.
  
  
• Deliver accurate information and guidance for all life choices, especially those involving alcohol and other drugs.
  
  
• Teach each other to see and respond to early symptoms of harmful behavior.
  
  
• Define addiction as a family illness, responding to all those affected.
  
  
• Honor people in recovery, valuing their spiritual journey as a congregational strength.
  
  
• Link congregational help to prevention or treatment resources within the community and neighborhood.
  
  
• Advocate for a society that responds equally and with compassion to all chronic illness.

Resources

The Rush Center at the Johnson Institute

How Faith Partners Teams Promote Healing

Faith Partners Journal

Stop Underage Drinking: Community/Faith-Based 

Core Competencies for Clergy

What others have done

St. Alban's Episcopal Church in Austin, Texas
Priest: Rev. Lex Breckenridge

John Rouse, team facilitator and substance abuse professional, learned from a congregational survey that 95 percent of respondents from his congregation wanted to reach out and help people suffering from addiction. Of those respondents, 99 percent support prevention activities for youth and adults as part of the church's mission and 18% were in recovery themselves from some form of addiction.

The team under John's leadership has sponsored an extensive educational series for adults, recovery worship services, and major prevention events that include dinner for children, youth, and adults and utilize speakers from the community. Team members meet regularly, continue to educate themselves, and provide referral assistance as needed.

John says, "Faith Partners is providing the type of guidance and support that I have been looking for to assist our church in this ministry. Our survey revealed the need and desire for prevention, education, and support in an area where all too often the church is silent."

Source: The Rush Center