What has been lacking for many members of the Church in their recovery attempts from pornography addiction is the proper clinical knowledge of how addictions can so easily develop in the brain, how their agency can be compromised, and then what to do about it in a practical, understandable way.
One ecclesiastical leader recently wrote, “I have gained a practical testimony that many—once they learn more about how their brain works, and why it works the way it does as mortal beings . . . —have been able to ‘step back’ and better see how to use their agency to better take advantage of our Savior's wonderful atonement.”
In order to effectively rescue and treat those who are struggling with the debilitating effects of pornography or sexual addiction issues, it is critical to learn a new language. We call this new language “The Language of Recovery.”
Once certain keys are understood and applied, one can begin to unravel the chains that in many cases have held them bound for years. Without these keys, the addictive cycles tend to repeat themselves regardless of confession, commitments, and efforts to change. It is critical for the healer as well as the one seeking help to understand this new language.
The Language of Recovery is founded on five very powerful keys that combine in a profound way the latest clinical knowledge with gospel understanding on how to effectively treat pornography addiction.
The five keys to The Language of Recovery are:
1. Acknowledgment
2. Surrender
3. Awareness
4. Mindfulness
5. Faith
At first glance these five keys may sound simplistic but there is a depth and breadth to them that can only be discovered as one begins to practice them daily. It is in the daily practice of these keys which are founded on gospel principles that leads to lasting change and conversion. These five keys are so inter-connected that it is impossible to rank them as to order of importance.
Having spent thousands of hours with clients who struggle with addictions I am convinced that any slip or relapse into unwanted behavior can be directly traced back to a failure to stay grounded in at least one of these keys.
One of the biggest downfalls of the counseling profession in the past is that we have not been providing the proper education along with ongoing support. Recently there has been a movement afoot among treatment professionals to change the way we look at treating addictions. We are moving away from the acute or emergency room model to the ongoing process that includes continual support and follow up. That is why that Language of Recovery is making such a huge impact, because it is based on proven principles that last a lifetime. I often tell my clients that what they are being taught is not a program to graduate from but a system that needs to be incorporated into daily living. Modern science has now taught us that addiction is a brain disorder and tends to be chronic in nature. With this knowledge we are now seeing how critical it is to provide proper resources and education on a continual ongoing basis.
I know from much experience that people are always searching for healing and a cure. It is as though we are all striving to reach a certain place where we have finally arrived; as if such a place even exists. In mortality this belief causes much unneeded suffering. It is better to quit whimpering as to how difficult the journey of life is and use the best information at hand to keep ourselves safe and as productive as possible.
I love the following statement by Elder James Talmage who has written, “It is not given to the rest of us, nor was it given to Jesus, to meet the foe, to fight and overcome in a single encounter, once for all time. The strife between the immortal spirit and the flesh, between the offspring of God on the one hand, and the devil on the other, is persistent through life.”
Armed with the five keys found in The Language of Recovery, which combines the latest clinical information cemented with gospel knowledge, one stands a better chance to safely navigate their way out of addiction and to stay away from them forever!
For more information on the Language of Recovery go to Innergold.com.
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This article sponsored by Innergold.com.