Note: The following is written to and through a Christian worldview. I have heard the following as real concerns for Christians who are witnessing someone in recovery or are in recovery themselves.
Within Christian spaces, there is some discussion around if 12 Step Groups (like Alcoholics Anonymous) are helpful to the person seeking recovery. There are three main arguments as to why 12 Step Groups don’t support recovery (but all are untrue):
For some, the question of if 12 Step Groups are helpful comes from the internal conflict that the group makes its members identify as sick and/or with a disease.
For Christians, this conflict of identity comes from Christian thought identifying as a Saint and thereby being “conquers” of sin and death as Jesus has overcome the grave on the Christian’s behalf (see Romans 8:37-39, Ephesians 4:12).
Conflict with the idea that bringing people together that struggle with the same problem would be like the blind leading the blind.
With these concerns as valid, they are not a full picture of the role and benefit of 12 Step Groups.
The reality that we (the human race) is marked by sin and brokenness is inescapable (see Ecclesiastes 6:44, John 6:44, Romans 3:10-23). The intensity and depravity of sin are what make Jesus' salvation, healing, and redemption so powerful (see Matthew 1:21, John 10:10, Ephesians 2:4-9).
The Christian’s identity is rooted in Jesus’ work on the cross that is freely given, but that does not mean that people are immediately delivered from their ailments caused by living in a fallen (sinful) state. This tension between being saved with a newly minted and pure identity but being still here on earth experiencing suffering in various forms is what Theologians call, the Already but Not Yet Tension (link to a full breakdown of what this means theologically).
In one sentence, the Already but Not Yet Tension refers to the present reality that Christians live in as Saints, forgiven and justified while experiencing the effects of sin, suffering, and wrong in the world.
So, back to the idea 12 Step Groups endorsing people as sick or having a disease is actually more rooted in Scripture as Jesus himself tells us that he came for the "sick, lame, blind and crippled" (as in Matthew 15:30). Just because someone has a sickness with depression, or anxiety and not an addictive behavior like alcohol, drugs, or sex, does not mean that the people with other ailments are less sick. 12 Step Groups are just labeling the sickness to understand and respect its intensity and pervasiveness on personal mental health and relationships with Self/others/God/Higher Power.
In a lot of ways, Jesus rebukes those who do not see themselves as sick and needing help (as in Mark 2:16-17), so contemplating our own need for Jesus’ healing and hope, as it is experienced in all sorts of problems in the world, can be more Biblical or true than someone who has an actual problem and does not label it because of the fear of the label.
We are all working out what it looks like to follow Jesus in our work, families, relationships, and consumption contexts. There can and should be acceptance of 12 Step Groups’ model that drives sobriety and recovery for many people (who are also Christians) every day. Recovery from abuse is the alleviation of suffering, being sober-minded, and walking in step with God to right wrongs and see yourself accurately.
Aside from the way theology influences the way we see mental health and recovery, the research is clear that people in recovery will maintain recovery if they do three things: 1) go to individual counseling; 2) regularly go to a 12 Step Group with sponsorship, and 3) have an intentional plan to avoid relapse.
The bottom line is that preventing someone (or shaming them) for seeking help in the ways that are researched and Biblically founded, would be difficult to reconcile.
As a closing comment, the Apostle Paul and author of Hebrews tell us together: “And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything… And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near” (Ephesians 5: 18-20a, Hebrews 10:24-25).
Too Long/Didn’t Read: 12 Step Groups support recovery and are tangible ways that Christians can work through their addiction(s).
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