Page 139 - Advanced Biblical Counseling Student Textbook

they really cannot be significantly helped. This is a case where the youth pastor needs to get involved
with the parents and perhaps seek professional help on their behalf.

One of the difficult situations in substance abuse is that others enable the victim to continue in their
addiction. And many times, they don’t really understand how they are doing this. Counselors
understand that quite often a person addicted to drugs or alcohol must “hit bottom” which means
finally come to admit they have a problem and seek to do something about it. All actions that prevent
them from doing so hinder the process of recovery.

There are multiple organizations, both secular and Christian, that provide counseling and rehabilitation.
The youth pastor should know of these organizations to direct parents and student to get help. They
develop a plan of recovery which others can assist in.

Fighting a Battle Between Drugs and God
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cdZeY1UBX6Q

17.4 Let’s Practice

1-8. Explain the 8 steps of the addiction cycle in Dr. Ted Witzig’s article.

9-10. Choose two Bible verses that apply to addiction and stand out to you.

11. What is the first thing you should do when counseling a person addicted to drugs or
alcohol?

12. What actions can you take to help a person addicted to drugs or alcohol?

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