Tuesday, June 1, 2010

ARP

 I  read this on my daughter Sariah's blog.  It is such a powerful message and I am (as always) pressed for time, so I am just copying her entire post.:

My friend shared an incredibly important post today on her blog and I realized that I need to share the same thing.  At the end of my post, I have links to more information, including the ARP handbook on-line.  We all need to know this program is available to us because we never know when we or someone we love may need it.
Few people, even few members of the church are aware of the church's Addiciton Recovery Program (ARP).  It is one of the church's best kept secrets and that is something that I would like to change!  The first few things that people need to know about ARP is:
  • It is for anyone, LDS or not, for any kind of addiction.
  • It is FREE.
  • It is completely confidential.
  • Any one of us could benefit from it, not just addicts.
  • And most of all, it will change your life. 
There are ARP groups for general addictions (substance, alcohol, spending, eating, etc.) and in addition to those meetings are meetings specifically for sexual addictions (including pornography and same-sex attractions).  These specialized groups are seperated by gender and any bishop can give you the schedule for your area.
I have seen this program CHANGE lives.  I have been in a position to personally witness as it saved a marriage and family.  My bishop shared with me a startling statistic.  With everyone he knows or has referred to this program who has actually committed to it and gone through the process (attended the support meetings as well as gone through and completed the workbook), there has been a 100% success rate.  100%  It WILL help every person who wants to change.
The program is more than the "4 R's" of repentance; it is an in depth 12-step program, centered on the Atonement of Jesus Christ.  It helps you to identify triggers so you can learn to prevent temptations and better prepare yourself for when you are most likely to experience them.  You learn to humble yourself completely and totally rely on the Savior to work a true and complete change in your heart. 
I heard one person who was struggling say that they didn't believe they could ever really overcome their addiction.  The best they could hope for was to "white knuckle" their way through life, fighting and struggling everyday to not give in to their temptation.  Then they went through this program.  It takes time, this is serious in depth stuff!  But after a couple of years, this same individual has a completely different attitude.  Now, they are completely different.  They have more than just overcome it; their whole understanding of the atonement and repentance is different.  They have learned that they CAN give it to the Savior and He will take it from them.   For one who is struggling, that is something incomprehensible, but this program teaches exactly how that can happen and it will help  guide each person who wants to experience that.
In the marriage/family I witnessed, I was impressed by how it changed the whole family.  A spouse learned to forgive and trust their spouse and children learned to respect their parent as they watched their loved one commit to and follow this program.  It brought their family so much closer than it was before.
You may not need this.  You may not know anyone at this time who needs it.  But someday you might.  I recently heard my father say, "If I had known about this program years ago, it could have saved my marriage."  I pray that no one I know will say to me in 5 or 10 years that "if they had only known this program was available it could have saved their marriage."  I would like everyone I know to at least know it is here, in the event you or someone you care about ever needs it.
Links:
Information about the church's Addiction Recovery Program.
How to find a support group in your area.  You could also talk to your bishop to get the most current location and schedule for your area, but a bishop's referral is NOT required.
LDS Family Services Addiction Recovery Program Workbook on-line.
Combating Pornography  A new website from the church specifically for those who struggle with an addiction to pornography, including helpful resources for their loved ones.

1 comment:

  1. I had no idea. I mean I knew there was a program, I just didn't know the specifics. Fascinating.

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