In the counseling room, you will come across a wide range of issues and problems that people are seeking counseling for. There are few that are more daunting than issues of addiction, whether that be drugs, alcohol, pornography, or something else.
Chad Nightingale is filling in as the guest host for this episode. Joining him for this vital conversation are two men, Mark Shaw and Andrew Held, who live in the thick of addiction counseling every day with teens and adults going through residential treatment.
In this episode, you’ll hear the ways biblical soul care varies from traditional addiction treatments, ways to discern issues of the heart, how addiction can impact anyone, and much more.
Listen in!
Resources:
- (BOOK) The Heart of Addiction: A Biblical Perspective
- Salem4Youth Ranch
- Episode 39: Resources to Help a Defiant Teenager (with Andrew Held and Shane Knapp)
- The Addiction Connection
- (BOOK) Understanding Temptation
- Learn more about our 5-Project Biblical Counseling Blueprint Model™
- Explore the rest of our website – bcmnational.org
Key Takeaways
- At its core, addiction is a sin issue. Through their experience as biblical counselors and working with addicted teens and adults, addiction is an issue of the heart first and foremost. In order to overcome addiction, a person must first submit to God and experience the Holy Spirit changing their heart.
- Addiction can affect anyone. While few of us may experience extreme forms of addiction, we can still experience the addiction of affirmation through our children’s accomplishments or the addiction of power as we lead our household. Each of us needs to examine our hearts for where idolatry and addiction might take hold.
- Some issues are beyond your expertise. You may encounter an issue of addiction where it is necessary to seek outside help. A residential program will often be the best option as the staff is well-versed in addressing addiction and dealing with withdrawals. Use your discernment to know when it’s time to recommend one of these programs to a counselee.
Meet Mark & Andrew
Mark Shaw is the Founder of The Addiction Connection and the author of The Heart of Addiction. He is passionate about speaking the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15-16) and seeing the Holy Spirit transform lives through God’s Word. Mark is an ACBC-Certified Biblical Counselor as well as an adjunct seminary professor, conference speaker, ordained minister, and a certified Alcohol and Drug Addiction Consultant (CADAC II).
Andrew Held is the Executive Director of the Salem4Youth Ranch Ministry, a Christ-centered environment where young men between the ages of 12 – 17 can learn life skills to better prepare them to function successfully in society. Prior to his role as the Executive Director, Andrew served on staff as a Biblical Counselor, the Cottage Director, and Interim Director.
