SOS West Rand | Wesrand - Supporting Of Substance abusers

For an Addict, the following will be a good place to start.

JESUS! 8 out of 10 addicts agree that you have to replace your addiction with Jesus to be completely
rid of it.

1 John 5:4-5 "..for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has
overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes
that Jesus is the Son of God".

Rebirth takes place when one accepts Christ as Saviour and repents of one's sins. The old self is
REGENERATED, but it doesn't mean that we are without sin or the brokenness caused by sin.

The process of sanctification starts after re-birth and in the process we often struggle with wrong lifestyle
habits and the consequences of our sins and the sins of others.

Victims of abuse suffer the consequences of the sins of other people and often struggle with unforgiveness
and bitterness. In dealing with the aftermath of trauma, psychological knowledge about trauma could
deepen the understanding of how to help a person in the healing process.

As such, we do acknowledge the value of Psychological assistance, especially Christian counseling, to
treat and assist the process. The power of prayer is paramount and we know that God can also heal
supernaturally, but He may also make use of psychologists or psychiatrists to heal.

• Don't make excuses, admit you have a bad habit and stop the habit immediately.
• Change starts with our thoughts - we are what we think. Know in your heart and mind that you can quit
your bad habit. YES you can!!
• Replace bad friends with constructive ones.
• Refuse to hang out at places and with friends you used to where temptation is in your face.
• Change your lifestyle by taking up a hobby where you use your time constructively and start investing
in yourself.
• Invest your time in people you trust, who can support and encourage you.
• Join a support group.

Valuing these things helps to combat addiction:

Achievement - accomplishing constructive and socially valued goals, such as running a race getting an
education, succeeding at work, or providing for your family
Consciousness - being alert, awake and aware of your surroundings; using your mind to make sense out
of your life and experience;
Activity - being energetic in daily life and engaged in the world around you
Health - eating well, exercising, getting health care and choosing an overall healthy lifestyle.
Responsibility - fulfilling your commitments as well as doing what the law obliged you to do;
Self Respect - caring for and about yourself and, by extension all people
Community - being involved in the communities of which you are part and contributing to the welfare of
others and the larger world.