Christian Recovery and Elder Abuse

I have been counseling a lot of elderly people lately who don't know what to do with the addict in their life. What I've come to note is that older people don't truly understand the issues of addiction, nor can they deal with the situation properly, which is why addicts take such advantage of them. The addicts lie incessantly to get money, they steal the elderly's property to sell it for drugs, and they take over their homes.

In the past month, I have talked with two women in their 70s and 80s who have actually moved out of their homes and left the addicts to live there. In both cases, the elderly women paid the rent and all the bills. My advice to each of them was to at least charge the addicts partial rent, or have them pay the utilities. While this seemed like an obvious first step to making the addicts responsible for their lives, both women didn't believe they could ask for money from the addict, and neither had the courage to remove them from their homes. In the end, all that I could do was pray for them and offer my support with an invitation to stay in touch.

I have often said that Christians in addiction work on the fear and guilt of their loved ones.When it comes to the elderly, the addicts also work on their vulnerability. They become predators, feeding on the weaknesses of the elderly. As a result, I have come to see this behavior of addicts as a form of elder abuse.

If you are a senior citizen and find yourself in this situation, I highly recommend you get the support of other family members and that you trust the wisdom of recovery counselors. If you are a family member and your parents or grandparents have fallen victim to the addict's manipulations, please intervene and get the help that's necessary to force change.

You can learn more about The Solid Rock Road at www.thesolidrockroad.com. You can also find this Christian recovery resource on Facebook. 541-301-3717.

The 10 Principles of The Solid Rock Road Christian Recovery Program

The Solid Rock Road Christian Recovery program in Oregon was founded in 2002. Since, then the recovery team has been counseling the addicted and their loved ones, facilitated recovery groups and published a book titled Follow The Solid Rock Road: Pathway to Radical Recovery. 

The following are the 10 Principles used by The Solid Rock Road recovery staff, and found in the book, published in 2010.

One: Surrender and realize your need for God

This principle brings readers to their knees before God in total surrender. The authors define the word “surrender” and discuss the difference between full and partial submission. Through stories, examples, and exercises, readers are brought to the point of agreement that Jesus is Lord, not just their Savior. This Principle includes a surrender prayer to help readers take the first step in their God-based recovery process.

Two: Empty yourself of your sinful nature so God can fill you with his Holy Spirit

This Principle teaches the difference between living in the Spirit and being controlled by the sinful nature. It provides realistic ways to begin the process of positive change by looking at defense mechanisms, masks, and false selves created for the sake of survival. By taking an honest look at who they have become, addicts rediscover who God actually created them to be. The goal of this Principle is for self-centered addicts to understand their sin nature and begin a daily process of self-denial that results in fullness of joy and purposeful living.

Three: Pray and meditate daily on the Word of God

With this Principle, the authors describe the importance of prayer and meditation and promote the concept that the way to eliminate addictive thoughts and behavior is through constant contact with God and reading the Bible. The power of prayer is discussed and described, along with reasons why New Testament believers have direct communication with God through Jesus Christ. This Principle explains in detail how to pray and where to begin reading the Bible. The authors define the word “meditation” and emphasize the importance of waiting on God. The goal is for readers to communicate with God, hear from God, and experience direction, instruction, revelation, and wisdom.

Four: Forgive yourself and others

Using personal testimony, stories, and scripture, this Principle discusses the compassion, mercy and grace of God and teaches readers the value of forgiving one’s self and others. It also describes how bitterness and resentment block spiritual growth. The goal Principle Four is to free addicts from guilt, shame, and blame shifting and to release blessing through personal acts of mercy. This Principle includes the author’s personal story involving violence and rape. Also included is a forgiveness prayer to help readers spiritually progress.

Five: Be accountable, belong, and be vulnerable

Principle Five discusses the importance of attaching to the Body of Christ and describes how secrets and deception result in isolation from people and distance from God. The goal of this Principle is to emphasize the need for getting planted in a local church and having fellowship with faithful people willing to invest in the addict’s spiritual growth and well being. We also discuss the importance of authority in the church, using several principles described in John Bevere’s Under Cover book.

Six: Stay close to God through praise and worship

This Principle describes how praise and worship free the Holy Spirit, reveal sin, are useful in spiritual warfare, and lead to intimacy with God. Since addicts by nature are consumed with their own issues of life, so this Principle emphasizes the benefits of being thankful and grateful, remembering the good, praying for others, and appreciating a blessed and lifelong relationship with God.

Seven: Seek the will of God for your life

This Principle uses John 4:34 as its cornerstone: “My nourishment comes from doing the will of God, who sent me, and from finishing his work.” The authors explain how God gives each person a unique personality and characteristics, along with a plan for using those gifts to do good in the world. The goal is for addicts to know they have a purpose and to begin a journey of discovery that results in a clear vision and mission. This Principle includes access to a spiritual gifts test that helps readers identify their ministry strengths and encourages them to begin/continue the process of assimilation into the Body of Christ.

Eight: Stay on the path

This Principle covers the value of steadiness and balance for people who have an extensive history of impulsive behaviors, including drug and alcohol abuse. The authors describe God’s path from the point of salvation, through justification by faith and sanctification. The goal of this Principle is to warn about the dangers of detours, and to emphasize the importance of finding and staying on the path. Principle Eight also provides comparisons between the path of righteousness and the path of self-will described in the book of Proverbs.  

Nine: Be ready for battle: put on the full armor of God

Principle Nine shows readers how to defend themselves against the methods Satan uses to deceive and disarm Christians. It also teaches readers the importance of guarding their attitudes and hearts. The authors compare being a Christian to being a well-trained, fully armed soldier who is in the midst of a real battle. This section describes the full Armor of God in simple terms and presents an Armor of God prayer that readers can use every day. The goal of this Principle is to remind people they will experience constant temptation and attacks from the devil but must be prepared to fight and have continuous victory over their addictions.

Ten: Serve God and others

In Principle 10, readers are urged to look at their history of selfish behaviors and the consequences that followed. Readers are made aware of self-indulgences, and are instructed to serve God first and then serve others in order to become a fully attached member of the Body of Christ. 

For more articles about Christian recovery, visit www.thesolidrockroad.com. You can also follow me on Twitter and become a friend on Facebook.

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