My name is John and I am a recovering addict. Nine years ago I was a diagnosed substance abuser, an alcoholic, and a pastor in a local church. These were my heaviest times and the lows of my life. Through the power of God, I have had the strength to overcome my addiction and addiction behaviors and I was put back on to the path to recovery.

The truth is, no two people’s experiences of addiction and recovery are the same. Everyone’s story and struggles are unique, and my own is no exception. Growing up in a Christian home, I was taught to value the power of the Lord, and through my addiction, it was here I found my most influential weapons for overcoming such a powerful cadre of harmful behaviors. By relying on my faith, I was able to cope with the physical and mental aspects of my addiction without turning to substance abuse.

Throughout my addiction, I experienced a range of emotions and thoughts that are all too common among other substance abusers. I had recurring feelings of guilt, shame, and failure, which further perpetuated my addiction and isolation from others. While I had taken steps to break toxic cycles through counseling and therapy, it seemed that I just couldn’t get a grip on my addiction. That is until I had allowed my faith and faith in the Lord’s plan to enter my recovery. By believing that the Lord was in control of my life, I was finally able to make the decision to seek help and guidance on my journey to a sober life.

Through prayer and worship of the Lord, I was able to seek solace from my addiction. My church provided me with doors of support and a community of believers who walked alongside me throughout my healing process. By surrounding myself with people of faith who I knew had my best interest at heart, I was able to overcome moments of weakness and pain associated with my addiction.

In Christ, I found the strength to say no to temptations that came my way, however hard and however much effort it took. I was able to reconnect with my faith and, through my belief, I found the ability to truly accept myself for who I am and love myself for it – two of the most important steps in recovering from addiction.

Additionally, the Bible gave me countless verses to reach out to when I felt like I was stuck in a rut or had exhausted my own resources. Verses such as “He will never forsake you” (Matthew 10:28) and “His mercies is new every morning” (Lamentations 3: 23) were instrumental in reminding me of God’s never-ending grace and support.

Now, nine years later, I am finally in a place of recovery. Through my faith and the strength of the Lord, I have been able to support myself in living a sober and healthy lifestyle. I am no longer embarrassed by my past and am able to find joy and purpose in life.

My testimony serves as an example of how God can conquer addiction through unbreakable faith. I hope that my story can shed some light into the darkness of addiction and provide support to those who may feel as though they have reached their lowest point. That no matter how hard and long the process may be, they too can overcome addiction and achieve true salvation.