Addiction is a pattern (trained response) to an internal reaction to painful experiences and wounds. One creates that pattern to survive and to function (it’s a natural response). Relying on Christ amid pain requires trust and intentionality. (This is NOT natural)…it has to become a pattern also.

What some of the common lies look/sound like when dealing with Addictions:

“As long as I am in control, I will not get hurt.”
“I can manage this pain/hurt/problem on my own… I don’t need any help.”
“I don’t need to dig up the past. The past has nothing to do with this.”
“That wasn’t really a problem. People have way worse things happen to them.”
“I’ve tried everything and nothing works… I must just be this way.”

Where the addiction begins spiritually:

1. Avoidance
2. Self-reliance
3. Self-protection

When you are honest with yourself, do you find you cannot quit drinking or using drugs entirely? Do you have little control over the amount you consume? You are probably an alcoholic and/or an addict.

When does a behavior become an addiction? We discover if one has an addiction by how the person is affected when he or she tries to stop a behavior. Here is a brief list of good questions to ask to decide the severity of a behavior…
Can you stop the behavior on your own whenever you want?
Do you do the behavior more often than you want to?
Has anyone ever confronted you about the behavior or joked about you doing it too much?
Have you lost or suffered anything because of the behavior? Lost a job? Lost a relationship?
Would you feel embarrassed if anyone knew you had this behavior or the frequency this behavior was present in your life?

History of the word Codependency

History of the word- The word originated in Alanon /AA groups. When a spouse to an Alcoholic began adapting his or her behavior around the Alcoholic’s behavior, their behavior became dependent on their spouses use of alcohol. They did not have an alcohol addiction… they were “CO” dependent on the alcohol.

Modern use of the word- When another person’s actions are dictating my behaviors and emotions. “When you drink… I feel angry.”

How can Celebrate Recovery help me find sobriety? Celebrate Recovery is a Biblical and balanced program that helps us overcome our hurts, hang-ups, and habits. It is based on the actual words of Jesus taken from Matthew Chapter 5. Celebrate Recovery believes in providing a place for the broken to come and face the pain in their lives. The practical principles are designed to help others find an authentic relationship with Jesus Christ.

Through Celebrate Recovery, we will come to believe there is only one solution. I will accept Jesus Christ as my Higher Power and follow His plan for my life. I will work through the 8 Recovery Principles found in the Beatitudes. With Jesus Christ as my Higher Power, I can and will change!

Defining some of the “Labels”:

We have small groups that help meet the need of labels such as Alcoholic, Drug Addict, Substance abuser, Sex Addict, Co-Dependent, Gambler, Love/Relationship Addict, Enabler, Adult Child of an Alcoholic…

Examples of CR “Problem and Solution” Sheets (these will be on other pages) (At your local Celebrate Recovery we have more information on this and many more hurts, hang-ups or habits to assist you and your family).

The Group Label is like a shoe size. It doesn’t define you, it only helps you find a group that fits.

As you draw closer to your Higher Power, Jesus Christ, you will learn how to apply the 8 Celebrate Recovery Principles and 12 Steps, designed to guide you in this journey we call “Recovery.” If you are diligent to provide willingness, integrity, consistency, and rigorous honesty, God will supply you with the courage, strength, and ability to take the necessary steps to gain freedom from unhealthy behaviors. This journey happens in the context of groups and others on the recovery journey.

Are you looking for freedom from anger and toxic patterns of behavior?
Do you become impatient easily when things do not go according as planned?
Do you have critical thoughts toward others who don’t agree with your opinions?
Do you feel frustrated when you see someone else having an “easier” time than you?
Are you irritated easily at those who refuse to admit their weaknesses?
Is it hard to forget when someone “does you wrong?”

Anger is one of our basic God-given emotions. This emotion can be constructive or destructive. When we lash out in anger, we are ignoring our fear, pain, or another deeper hurt, hang-up, or habit. Other times, we stuff it down and keep it silent, which can be just as damaging. All anger, if allowed to, will continue to destructively influence our behaviors and attitudes, and will eventually erupt from deep within the heart.

Celebrate Recovery is here to help! Come join us and commit to working the 12 Steps, regularly attend meetings, and get accountability partners and a Sponsor to support your journey to freedom. Walking through the recovery process allows you to admit your powerlessness to control your anger. Leaning on and learning from others in the program will allow you to overcome destructive habits. Freedom is possible!

Celebrate Recovery is a “large umbrella” 12 Step program to help a limitless number of issues. It is a biblical and balanced program effective in helping people overcome their hurts, hang-ups and habits. Many of the addiction issues we deal with include alcohol addiction, drug addiction, gambling addiction, sexual addiction and food addiction. We also deal with eating disorders, love and relationship addiction, co-dependency, and anger to name a few.

Are you looking for approval from another person?
Do you feel controlled or manipulated by others?
Do you find yourself compromising your own values, choices and behaviors?
Do you worry about how much someone drinks?
Do you live with the thought of not being good enough?
Are you in a relationship with individuals who are needy?
Do you feel responsible for the feelings, actions and choices of those around you?
Do you “give in” to boundaries you previously set?

Codependency is when a person’s need for approval or validation from another person allows them to be controlled or manipulated. They are willing to compromise their own values, choices, and behavior at the expense of their personal well-being. Answering yes to any of the questions above might be a trigger for you to ask yourself if you are codependent and relying on someone else for your happiness, satisfaction, value, or self-worth.

Celebrate Recovery is here to help! Come join us and commit to working the 12 Steps, regularly attend meetings, and get accountability partners and a Sponsor to support your journey to freedom. Walking through the recovery process allows you to admit your powerlessness to control others. Leaning on and learning from others in the program will allow you to set boundaries and find the change you are seeking. Celebrate Recovery is a “large umbrella” 12 Step program to help a limitless number of issues. It is a biblical and balanced program effective in helping people overcome their hurts, hang-ups and habits. Many of the addiction issues we deal with include alcohol addiction, drug addiction, gambling addiction, sexual addiction and food addiction. We also deal with eating disorders, love and relationship addiction, co-dependency, and anger to name a few.

Are you concerned that a friend or family member has an eating disorder?
Do you struggle with anorexia, bulimia or binge eating?
Are you constantly dieting?
Do you hide food or food wrappers?
Are you eating in secret?
Do you exercise excessively?
Have you experienced extreme weight loss?
Do you struggle with body image?
Do you deny hunger, even when starving?
Do you make excuses for not eating?

Eating disorders involve extreme disturbances in eating behavior. An eating disorder can be characterized by an excessive or compulsive consumption of food and/or getting rid of food, commonly known at bingeing and purging. It may also be characterized by self-induced starvation and excessive and unhealthy weight loss. We may have believed the lie that our bodies define who we are, and that changing our body image to fit an imagined standard would bring fulfillment, peace and acceptance into our chaotic lives. We may have jeopardized our relationships, health, jobs, morals, and values to ensure we meet these imagined standards.

Celebrate Recovery is here to help! Come join us and commit to working the 12 Steps, regularly attend meetings, and get accountability partners and a Sponsor to support your journey to freedom. Walking through the recovery process allows you to admit your powerlessness to control your eating disorder. Leaning on and learning from others in the program will allow you to gain freedom from anorexia, bulimia, or binge eating. Change is possible. There is hope! Celebrate Recovery is a “large umbrella” 12 Step program to help a limitless number of issues. It is a biblical and balanced program effective in helping people overcome their hurts, hang-ups and habits. Many of the addiction issues we deal with include alcohol addiction, drug addiction, gambling addiction, sexual addiction and food addiction. We also deal with eating disorders, love and relationship addiction, co-dependency, and anger to name a few.

Are you looking for freedom from food addiction?
Do you or someone you love struggle with food?
Do you keep eating certain foods even if you’re no longer hungry?
Do you turn to food to ease pain or fears?
Has food become your comforter, your friend?
Have you tried various diet programs, exercising, or medications to try to control your eating habits?
Do you struggle with body image?
Have you failed repeatedly?
Are you left feeling guilty, incapable and unlovable?

Addiction is a pattern or a trained response to an internal reaction to painful experiences and wounds. One creates that pattern to survive and to function as a natural response. Many times, food becomes a comfort to ease our pain or fear. Other times, we trade one addiction for another, and food becomes a new addiction to replace another one we have gained sobriety over. Food becomes our “drug of choice.”

Celebrate Recovery is here to help! Come join us and commit to working the 12 Steps, regularly attend meetings, and get accountability partners and a Sponsor to support your journey to freedom. Walking through the recovery process allows you to admit your powerlessness to control your addiction to food. Leaning on and learning from others in the program will allow you to gain sobriety over your food addiction.

Celebrate Recovery is a “large umbrella” 12 Step program to help a limitless number of issues. It is a biblical and balanced program effective in helping people overcome their hurts, hang-ups and habits. Many of the addiction issues we deal with include alcohol addiction, drug addiction, gambling addiction, sexual addiction and food addiction. We also deal with eating disorders, love and relationship addiction, co-dependency, and anger to name a few.

Are you looking for love in all the wrong places?
Are you fearful of being alone or rejected?
Are you endlessly searching for that special someone?
Do you mistake intense sexual experiences and new romantic excitement for love?Are you constantly craving and searching for a romantic relationship? Are you able to control romantic fantasies and new relationships?
Do you find your behaviors causing loss of interest in previously enjoyable activates like socializing with friends?

Sometimes, our coping mechanism becomes an unhealthy use of love and relationships as a means of achieving worth. We can perceive attraction, attachment, and sex as basic humans needs, as with food and water. These perceived needs can lead us to unhealthy behaviors, such as manipulating and controlling others or escalating our tolerance of high-risk behavior.

Celebrate Recovery is here to help! Come join us and commit to working the 12 Steps, regularly attend meetings, and get accountability partners and a Sponsor to support your journey to freedom. Walking through the recovery process allows you to admit your powerlessness over love, romance, fantasies and relationships. Leaning on and learning from others in the program will allow you to gain sobriety over your Love and Relationship Addiction.

Celebrate Recovery is a “large umbrella” 12 Step program to help a limitless number of issues. It is a biblical and balanced program effective in helping people overcome their hurts, hang-ups and habits. Many of the addiction issues we deal with include alcohol addiction, drug addiction, gambling addiction, sexual addiction and food addiction. We also deal with eating disorders, love and relationship addiction, co-dependency, and anger to name a few.

Are you looking for freedom and healing from the traumas in your past?
Are you looking for support to heal from the influence these past experiences continue to have on your present life?

Most survivors of physical abuse / sexual abuse / emotional abuse are hesitant to identify themselves as victims of abuse. They feel isolated, depressed, worthless or helpless to change. Ask yourself these questions. Do you feel angry, bitter and rebellious, or have trouble with authority figures? Do you struggle with “all or nothing thinking?” Do you want to have victory through Christ over the life experience of abuse?

Recovery is a two-step process for victims of abuse. The first step is healing from the traumas done to us in our past, and the second step is healing from the influence these past experiences continue to have in our present lives.

Celebrate Recovery is here to help! Come join us and commit to working the 12 Steps, regularly attend meetings, and get accountability partners and a Sponsor to support your journey to healing. Walking through the recovery process allows you to admit your powerlessness to heal the damaged emotions resulting from your abuse. We look to God for the power to make us whole. We understand the people who abused us are responsible for the acts committed against us. We will NOT accept the guilt and shame resulting from those abusive acts.

Celebrate Recovery is a “large umbrella” 12 Step program to help a limitless number of issues. It is a biblical and balanced program effective in helping people overcome their hurts, hang-ups and habits. Many of the addiction issues we deal with include alcohol addiction, drug addiction, gambling addiction, sexual addiction and food addiction. We also deal with eating disorders, love and relationship addiction, co-dependency, and anger to name a few.

Are you looking for freedom from alcohol or drug addiction?
Do you or someone in your family find it hard to quit drinking or using drugs entirely?
Do you have little control of the amount you consume? Are you preoccupied with drinking?
Does drug use create erratic or violent behavior?
Do you try and avoid family or close friends while you are drinking or using?
Does it feel impossible to stop?

Addiction is a pattern or a trained response to an internal reaction to painful experiences and wounds. One creates that pattern to survive and to function as a natural response. Relying on Christ amid pain requires trust and intentionality. This is NOT natural. It has to become a pattern also.

Celebrate Recovery is here to help! Come join us and commit to working the 12 Steps, regularly attend meetings, and get accountability partners and a Sponsor to support your journey to freedom. Walking through the recovery process allows you to admit your powerlessness over drugs and alcohol. Leaning on and learning from others in the program will allow you to gain sobriety over your addiction.

Celebrate Recovery is a “large umbrella” 12 Step program to help a limitless number of issues. It is a biblical and balanced program effective in helping people overcome their hurts, hang-ups and habits. Many of the addiction issues we deal with include alcohol addiction, drug addiction, gambling addiction, sexual addiction and food addiction. We also deal with eating disorders, love and relationship addiction, co-dependency, and anger to name a few.

Are you looking for freedom from sexual addiction?
Do you go from one relationship to another?
Do you use sex as an escape?
After a sexual experience, do you feel guilty?
Do you find you cannot resist a sexual overture?
Have you ever tried to limit or stop acting out, but have been unable to stop?
Do you spend time on the Internet viewing pornographic websites?
Does porn interfere with work?
Does lust, pornography or sex with yourself or others dissolve tension?

Sexual addictions often start as an overpowering desire for pleasurable relief. We run from inner pain, loneliness, emptiness, or insecurity that we could not cope with in any other way. At first, it did provide the relief we sought, but the addiction soon takes on a life of its own. Would you like to be free from pornography, one night stands, adultery, and the pain and guilt that come from those choices?

Celebrate Recovery is here to help! Come join us and commit to working the 12 Steps, regularly attend meetings, and get accountability partners and a Sponsor to support your journey to freedom. Walking through the recovery process allows you to admit your powerlessness to control sex addiction. Leaning on and learning from others in the program will allow you to gain sobriety over your sexual addiction.

Celebrate Recovery is a “large umbrella” 12 Step program to help a limitless number of issues. It is a biblical and balanced program effective in helping people overcome their hurts, hang-ups and habits. Many of the addiction issues we deal with include alcohol addiction, drug addiction, gambling addiction, sexual addiction and food addiction. We also deal with eating disorders, love and relationship addiction, co-dependency, and anger to name a few.

Do you have trouble controlling gambling habits?
Do you gamble when you cannot afford to lose?
Do your friends and family express concerns about your gambling?
Do you gamble until your last dollar is gone?
Has gambling ever made your home life unhappy?
Do you find you cannot quit gambling entirely?
Are you trapped in the illusion of “just one more time?” Or, “this time it will be different?”
Would you be OK if you stopped gambling right now?
Does this make you feel anxious?

A compulsive gambler is a person who cannot quit gambling entirely, or has little control over the amount they bet. Gambling has caused growing and continuing problems in any area of their life. A compulsive gambler is careless about their welfare and/or the welfare of their family.

Celebrate Recovery is here to help! Come join us and commit to working the 12 Steps, regularly attend meetings, and get accountability partners and a Sponsor to support your journey to freedom. Walking through the recovery process allows you to admit your powerlessness to control your gambling addiction. Leaning on and learning from others in the program will allow you to gain sobriety over your gambling addiction. Celebrate Recovery is a “large umbrella” 12 Step program to help a limitless number of issues. It is a biblical and balanced program effective in helping people overcome their hurts, hang-ups and habits. Many of the addiction issues we deal with include alcohol addiction, drug addiction, gambling addiction, sexual addiction and food addiction. We also deal with eating disorders, love and relationship addiction, co-dependency, and anger to name a few.