What is Salvation?
The dictionary defines “salvation” as the state of being saved or protected from harm, risk, loss, or destruction. Synonyms include deliverance, emancipation, liberation, redemption, restoration, and pardon. Notice how all these words suggest some kind of outside force or power and not our own self-will.
I suggest that an addict saved from their addiction should exhibit victory over all the following symptoms of addiction:
- The continued use of drugs.
- Mental preoccupation and craving to use drugs.
- Isolation.
- Denial and self-delusion.
- Dishonesty.
- Self-centeredness.
- External problems caused by addiction – social, financial, family, occupational, legal, physical, emotional, spiritual.
The Path to Recovery
So many people think that recovery equals stopping drug use. The medical community, our families, law enforcement all think that if an addict will just stop using, everything will be okay.
Many addicts think that recovery equals social acceptability. Staying out of jail, getting a job and keeping it, going back to school, paying our bills are all positive things, but they do not equal recovery.
People in 12-Step programs often think that recovery equals service. And so they over-commit themselves and end up creating their own stress and losing the joy that recovery should bring.
I believe that addicts need to be saved from their addiction and that is will take more than will power. Addicts also need to be saved from others – old friends, drug connections, old lovers, etc. They also need to be saved from themselves – old habits, their own “best thinking,” unrealistic fears, guilt and shame, and past traumas.