“The Lord Jesus stopped, became close, healed wounds. In the style of His closeness, we too are called to act, to stop before situations of fragility and pain, to know how to listen to the cry of loneliness and anguish, to bend down to lift and bring back to new life those who fall into the bondage of drugs.”
Pope Francis
Countless people who have been freed from addiction have attributed it to both practical treatment and a spiritual awakening through a twelve-step program. We come together to pray for those battling addictions and to spread resources available to help people find recovery. We are praying for all those recovering from addiction, as well as those still struggling with addiction, and all of their families.
SHINING A LIGHT ON ADDICTION AWARENESS
Throughout September, The Tablet Newspaper will be writing and reporting on National Recovery Month to help raise awareness and understanding of mental and substance use disorders. The goal of the observation is to reduce stigma, promote education, and provide support to individuals and families affected by addiction.
HOLY SOULS WHO KNOW THE STRUGGLE
There are multiple saints and venerables who’ve had an experience with addiction. Sometimes it was the saint themselves, sometimes those they ministered to, or those closest to them. Here are just a few of those saints we can ask for their intercession this month.
Saint Maximilian Kolbe
St. Maximilian Kolbe is the patron saint of addicts. He was a Franciscan friar who sacrificed himself in a concentration camp to save another inmate. He was poisoned by the guards after surviving for two weeks in a starvation cell. St. Maximilian Kolbe was named the patron saint of addicts for losing his life to chemical poison.
Stained glass in Our Lady of Czestochowa Grotto (Sorrowful Mother Shrine) | photo by Nheyob
Saint Monica
The mother of Saint Augustine, St. Monica persisted in faith and charity. She was always praying for her husband and son, who were both far from God most of her life. Despite her loved ones seemingly impossible vices, her husband and St. Augustine both converted. St. Augustine became a great Christian leader.
Venerable Matt Talbot
Matt Talbot began abusing alcohol at the age of twelve. When he took a pledge of sobriety at the age of twenty-eight, he began depending on God. He constantly struggled with the desire to drink, but ultimately achieved sobriety. He died a sober man, and is on the path to sainthood today.
Statue of Venerable Matt Talbot | flickr
RESOURCES
Simply knowing what resources are available is a huge help to whomever we may encounter. Raising awareness that there is a solution is part of the mission of Addiction Recovery month. Below are a variety of resources provided throughout Brooklyn and Queens, as well as national programs. Visit the sites to learn about the resources you can refer others to.
Diocesan Resources: Learn about the addiction treatment center connected with Catholic Charities.
The Flatbush Addiction Treatment Center provides addiction recovery services to adults and adolescents: https://www.ccbq.org/service/flatbush-addiction-treatment-center/
SAMHSA: This Helpline provides 24-hour free and confidential help. You can get treatment referral and information about mental health and drug or alcohol use disorders, prevention, and recovery in English and Spanish.
For SAMHSA Resources
- Call: 1-800-662-4357
- TTY: 1-800-487-4889
- Text your ZIP code to: 435748
- Visit SAMHSA’s National Helpline
Alcoholics Anonymous: A support group that provides a structured program of recovery through meetings, shared experiences, and a 12-step approach to sobriety.
AA Brooklyn: https://brooklynintergroup.org/brooklyn/
AA Queens: https://queensaa.org/#
Find Treatment: An online resource that helps individuals locate and access substance use treatment services across the United States.
Al-Anon: A support group for family members and friends of individuals struggling with alcoholism, offering a community of shared experiences and resources to aid in their own recovery and well-being.
ABOUT NATIONAL RECOVERY MONTH
National Recovery Month, which started 1989, is a national observance held every September. It promotes and supports new evidence-based treatment and recovery practices, the nation’s strong and proud recovery community, and the dedication of service providers and communities who make recovery in all its forms possible.
Learn more about SAMHSA Recovery Month here: https://www.samhsa.gov/recovery-month
USING THE SPIRITUALITY OF RECOVERY IN OUR OWN LIVES
The spiritual practices used in twelve step programs can help people in their spiritual journey even if someone is not in a recovery group.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM wrote the book, “Breathing Underwater” about how true spiritual connection with God saves us from trying to get fulfillment from the world, which will never satisfy.
“Brother Rohr may just take you to places you’ve both avoided and longed for, to truth, union, joy, laughter, and, greatest of all, to your own precious self, here on earth with us, child of God.”—Anne Lamott, from the foreword.
If you’re interested in buying the book, click the link: https://amzn.to/3Z2RoOc
