Important Considerations
When choosing a program, your core values and those of the program should match.
Consider asking the following questions:
1. Is this program a secular program, a Christian Program, or a secular program utilizing a Christian track (a Christian option)? New Life Spirit Recovery does not just offer a Christian option, it is a Christ-centered Program that utilizes Biblical truth in every aspect of its curriculum. In the midst of an addiction, the whole person is ill and the whole person needs healing. Spiritual problems require a spiritual solution.
Do not be deceived! If you are seeking a true Christian solution, be sure you do your homework. Many secular programs incorporate the Christian 12 steps into their curriculum, label it a Christian Track, and charge many thousands of dollars for this service. We believe there needs to be more than the 12 step process to warrant the label Christian Addiction Treatment. A Christian counselor that incorporates Biblical principles into every aspect of the treatment process is a must. This counselor should be trained specifically in the area of addiction with the focus on the complete person, including the body, mind, will, emotions, soul, and spirit. Once the poison has been removed from the physical body, intensive emotional and spiritual counseling must follow if any level of true deliverance is to be expected.
An introduction to the Christian perspective of the 12 steps during treatment is certainly helpful, especially to insure long term sobriety, but in true Christian treatment, this alone would be a considered a minimal approach.
The presence of the Holy Spirit must be at the core of the program and the process must address the whole person including the body, soul, and spirit, mind, will, and emotions. With this, there is hope for a full recovery.
2. Does this program use Christian counselors that are degreed and AOD State Certified through an approved Christian Institute? Does this program operate on Biblical principles? Yes to both at New Life Spirit Recovery!
Secular counseling and Biblical counseling are literally worlds apart. In the State of California, there are nine Nationally Accredited Counselor certifying agencies. Only one trains, equips and certifies Christian Alcohol and Drug Counselors incorporating Biblical principles and practices every step of the way.
The Association of Christian Alcohol and Drug Counselors is a Nationally Accredited, State approved Institute that certifies counselors with the CDAAC and RAS credential (not to be confused with other similar looking credentials). Click here to view the California Department of Drug and Alcohol list of providers that certify counselors. Only one represents the Christian community.
There is a major difference between a Christian counselor and a Christian counselor who counsels using Biblical principles. A counselor that identifies self as a Christian does not necessarily mean his practices incorporate true Biblical truth. This is a very important part of the treatment process as a whole. A CDAAC Counselor is trained, equipped and certified to properly counsel those afflicted with destructive addictive behaviors. New Life Spirit Recovery only uses State Certified CDAAC counselors. You can search the web (using Google or Yahoo) to locate a CDAAC Counselor or program that uses CDAAC Counselors near you. To learn more about nationally accredited Christian AOD counselors, click here.
3. Is it best for a Christian to seek counsel from a true Christian Facility? Does being a Christian affect the outcome of your program? Do your counselors pray with their counselees? Do they reference Scripture? New Life Spirit Recovery answers yes to all!
Christian counselors often have personal testimonies that reveal their life experiences. Their personal stories can and should be shared to bring hope and build faith. A true Christian counselor will give testimony, pray with clients, and reference scripture within the session.
