Sobriety is to Recovery as Confession is to Repentance

There are lots of Addiction Sobriety Programs.  Some are free and others cost money.  Some are run by volunteers and others are run by paid professionals.  And the goal of each of them is to help participants overcome their addictions and become sober.

However, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints sponsors an Addiction Recovery Program (ARP).  There is a difference between the many sobriety programs and ARP.  That difference is the Atonement of Jesus Christ.  

Those other programs are not based on the Atonement; they are based on either the tools of psychology or on a belief in a Higher Power.  But they lack the real power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Based on my own experience, there is a spirit that can be felt in ARP meetings that is not found in other sobriety programs.

Sobriety is just one of the steps of Recovery.

Sobriety is not true recovery.  Sobriety is just a step in the recovery process.  I can be sober for years but still not be in recovery.  It takes a real change of heart to achieve recovery not just avoiding acting out.

I’ve heard it said: “If you make a change, and it's not through Christ, it will not be permanent.”  I believe that.

Sobriety is to Recovery as Confession is to Repentance.

I had a counselor in a Stake Presidency tell me that he was concerned about all the guys who continue to confess their sins—over and over—but never make the needed changes in their lives.  He said: “Sure they feel better each time they confess.  But that is not repentance.”

Confession is just one of the steps of Repentance.

Now that I’ve confessed, what changes do I need to make in my life to avoid having to do this over and over.

So here is the challenge to myself and anyone else reading this post.

• Take sobriety seriously.   
• It's entirely possible that you could go the remainder of your life and never act out again. 
• Relapse is not necessary -- only a possibility.
• Keep in mind that sobriety is not the goal. 
• Recovery is the goal.
• Learn about the Atonement and apply it in your life daily as you are learning.
• Take confession and repentance seriously.  
• Confession without change is useless.
• Take ARP meetings seriously. There is a power there!

Feel free to attend any of the available Sobriety programs. But make sure you also focus on the Atonement of Jesus Christ and not just on psychology or a higher power. Christ has to part of the process if you are to be successful. So you may want to consider attending at least one ARP meeting each week in addition to your other Sobriety meeting.