Hope in the Battle: My Journey Through Addiction

[Furious_Love]

Hi,

Do you want to give up drugs or alcohol — or both?
Do you feel desperate to be rid of the scourge that has invaded your life?
Is it affecting you so deeply that you feel you can’t cope?
Do you want to quit because your family needs you?
Does your heart ache to be set free from the bondage that haunts you?

These were the questions I asked myself constantly when I felt at my lowest, even while I was still using and drinking. Many times I would weep as I drove to get my next fix, knowing I was about to hurt myself again. I felt condemned, believing I was failing God and being a poor Christian. Even being here on this website, I wanted to ask for prayer to help with my addiction — but I still tried to look like an “upstanding Christian.”

Over 14 years, I admitted myself to rehab three times, each time hoping it would finally set me free. But each time I came out, I started again. I wasn’t getting to the root cause — that took many years, and a lot of pain, before I finally saw what was really driving me. Wisdom came at a price; for me, it didn’t necessarily come with age.

By the grace of God, I have now been clean for 8½ years. It wasn’t easy — the temptations were real, the triggers were everywhere, and some days I didn’t feel like I had the will to overcome. But I learned I didn’t have to fight it alone.

“No temptation has overtaken you except
such as is common to man; but God is faithful,
who will not allow you to be tempted
beyond what you are able, but with the temptation
will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.”
[1 Corinthians 10:13] [NKJV]

That verse became real to me when I learned to take it one day at a time and pray in the middle of the struggle: “Lord, help me right now.” Slowly, my heart began to change, and the hold of addiction began to break.

If you are struggling right now, please know you are not alone. God loves you, even in the middle of the mess, and He can give you the strength you need for the next step — just as He did for me.

This is not about judgment or shame. It’s about hope, healing, and freedom. If you’d like to share what you’re going through, or even just read along quietly, this space is open. Sometimes hearing “I’ve been there” makes the road a little less lonely.

You are not beyond help, and you are not beyond God’s love.
“Fear not, for I am with you;
Be not dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you,
I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.'”
[Isaiah 41:10] [NKJV]



God Bless…

Furious_Love.

 

[Dave M]

Praise Yaweh, the great I am !! for he alone truly frees us of our addictions, the difference between me quitting drugs on my own will power is that its a fight every day, even when I was not using I had to fight every day, constant battle of temptation.............BUT GOD when he freed me of my addictions has made me a new creation, the old man has passed away, he fights my battle,,,,,,,,,,

what all that looks like in the real life is GOD has removed the temptation of using from me, I do not struggle, I am not tempted, he has taken the desire to use from me Praise Jesus!!

I do not believe anyone can be free of addiction without Christ it is a spiritual battle, it is the law of the universe, once addicted you open the doors of hell, and no one but Jesus can shut that door.

I had lunch a while back with a old buddy of mine who has been cleaned for 20 years, and he said to me that he fights temptation everyday !! he said the struggle is real, and hard.... Complete opposite when you give your life to Jesus, he fights it for you.

SO NO, ITS NOT ONCE A ADDICT ALWAYS A ADDICT,,, ITS ONCE UPON A TIME i WAS AN ADDICT,,,,,, UNTIL CHIRST MADE ME A NEW CREATON, THE OLD HAS PASSED AWAY!!

 

[Jeff Bacon]

The Lord will help with addiction when one truly wills to stop and commits to it. The Lord will not counter one's own free will. He will allow us to reap what we sow, and that may result in a crisis that changes our will. He has the power to do what He wants, but He also sovereignly decreed that we have free will. I have heard people say, "God take this from me." However, he empowers us to get rid of it. The question is does one want the temporary satisfaction of sin or the lasting satisfaction that only comes through Christlikeness?

 

[Furious_Love]

Follow-Up to My Story

In my last post I shared how God set me free from addiction. This time I’d like to share two simple, practical steps that helped me along the way - maybe they can help you too.

Practical Steps That Helped Me

1. Make Two Lists
Grab an A4 sheet of paper and draw a line down the middle.

• On one side, write: “Advantages of Quitting.”
• On the other side, write: “Advantages of Continuing to Use.”

As ideas come to mind, write them down immediately while they’re fresh. Don’t worry about it being neat - just keep going. You can always come back and add more later.

2. Break the Cycle (It’s Not Just a Habit - It’s an Addiction)

• Once you know what you need to do, keep it in front of your mind. Remember: your greatest enemy is often yourself. “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” - Ephesians 6:11
• Expect the mind games. Everything in you will crave your fix — drugs, alcohol, or both.
• Think of it like riding a wave: the peak is the craving, but if you hold on, it subsides. Each time you resist, that’s a mini-victory.
• If you slip, don’t give up. When your mind is ready, get back up and try again. The important thing is never give in. I can testify that once you’re truly ready, you can take your addictions on.

Remember, recovery is a journey of small steps. If you try these and want to share how it goes - or if you have other things that help you - feel free to add them here. You never know who might be encouraged by your words.