Now More Than Ever
Rev. Patti Pomerantz
Chair, PNWD Addictions Ministry Project
I heard a story from a ministry colleague. Early in his recovery, a congregant offered him a glass of wine at a church function. He explained that he was an alcoholic newly in recovery. “But surely you can have just one glass,” the congregant chided. Anyone in recovery knows that it ‘only takes one' – glass, drag, bet – to trigger a relapse.
September is Recovery Month in the United States. Sponsored by the federal agency Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the theme is NOW MORE THAN EVER.
Addiction is a manageable mental illness – your brain can learn to avoid the neural paths where the addiction is controlled. However, addiction cannot be cured. By the time you are addicted there have been permanent changes in the way your brain works that can never be undone.
I never had much interest in brain research, but life circumstances converged recently to throw me into the mysteries of the brain from many angles. I am both fascinated by and in awe of the incredible discoveries brain research is uncovering. Now that we understand how addiction works in the brain, we know why relapse is so dangerous. It's fascinating – and scary at the same time. I am learning that in the field of addiction – as in my own struggles with food addiction – knowledge is power.
Many UU's are put off by recovery programs such as AA because of their dependence on a higher power. But addiction by definition means loss of self-control – thus in order to maintain any recovery, you must locate some sort of support outside of yourself. Kevin Griffin, in his book, One Step at a Time: Buddhism and the Twelve Steps , says, “Frankly, there are all kinds of reasons not to believe in God, scientific and otherwise…I take the idea of God as more of a practical one…I need the Higher Power idea to stay sober and to be free from self-centered suffering. ” (78)
Theological stances are often excuses for not dealing with addiction. Unitarian Universalists are creating UU-friendly ways to work with formal recovery programs. You may have heard about 7/12 meetings or study groups for instance – where the 12 steps are studied in relation to our 7 Principles. And later this month our PNW District Addictions resource page will unveil a variety of study sessions, and localized resource lists for major areas in the district. The District Addictions Ministry team is anxious to visit with you and help your congregation explore this epidemic by delivering worship services, workshops, consultation and resources. And, we will have a resource table and networking time at District Assembly Day in Portland next February 5.
NOW MORE THAN EVER. As September is Recovery Month, I suggest during this month especially , we offer hope to those in our congregations and communities who are suffering from addiction or watching someone they love suffer. Now more than ever we recognize addiction threatens our families and children. Now more than ever we are called to offer them not just hope, but concrete resources to fight their illnesses, rebuild their lives and their families in safe, respectful ways. It can begin with a simple web search – but somewhere along the way, it will require personal contact and love. We're good at that. Let's move forward together and show the world just how good we are.
Now more than ever – we can light the way to recovery with the tolerance and love that is a UU trademark. For more information visit:
Become informed. Become part of a ministry that knows no racial or class boundaries. And let us help.
Reverend Patti Pomerantz, for the Addictions Ministry team
Reverend David Maynard
Bill Norton
Chris Poole
Mike Becker
Tom Ten Eyck
