I think you are asking for more on the subject of recovery. My experience over the past 5 years while working with families in varying stages of recovery is that recovery seems to be an ongoing, never-ending process for some. For others, who have truly received a powerful encounter with Jesus and His amazing healing power, freedom indeed is experienced and they move forward into a completely new life with almost unlimited options for what they might do from here on. leaving behind the stigma of once a loser, always a loser. I hate stigmas. It is like stepping in some horrible sticky stuff that you can’t wash off your shoes and follows you everywhere like a dark nasty gunk.

The most challenging aspect of drug and alcohol dependency that I have seen is the lack of education which stunts and limits hopes and dreams for an abundant future. If I could draw a bottom line for this unfortunate category of life it would be: If you haven’t encountered Christ’s power of deliverance in your body and mind then go into long term rehab…my recommendation is one of the Dream Centers (men’s in Calgary, AB and women’s in Edmonton, AB) spend the year (or 2) getting your life clean and sorted out; AND THEN IMMEDIATELY register for some sort of advanced education program. Of course grade 12 equivalent is the first place (I discovered that those I was working with actually did not test above Gr 3. If someone tests at grade 3 then start there. As a former tutor that’s how I handled working with children with reading challenges…always start at THEIR beginning and move forward from there.)

Once the basic education is achieved then move forward into something that truly interests you: whether academics at a higher level, such as college or university or trade school. And there is absolutely nothing wrong with choosing a trade. One thing I still would like to do is sign up for cooking school…always wanted to open a restaurant. For some reason we are conditioned to think that we must have a university education…and this is fine if you are wanting a complete universal education, but if you are wanting to specialize in a trade then there should be no further concern that one must have a university education to enjoy their life or provide for their family. EDUCATION IS ALL GOOD! The Bible says so much about the importance of knowledge in Proverbs. I agree. If I was 20 years younger I would continue to pursue greater knowledge of more of my interests. I have a niece that has just entered her doctorate program in statistics. How I envy her. Go sister, go!

I referred to several different categories of dependency recovery: some ongoing and unresolved, some provided complete freedom after encountering the power of Jesus. But there are many also who have “seen-the-light”, so to speak, and simply made the decision to turn around and head in another direction, leaving the drugs, alcohol and other sticky stuff behind. My absolute congratulations to all who have moved forward. This brings to mind a scripture:

Phil 3:13-14 Phil 3:13-14
13 Friends, don’t get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I’ve got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward — to Jesus. 14 I’m off and running, and I’m not turning back.
(from THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language © 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. All rights reserved.)
Amen!