b'A biblical response to addictiona disease? If the substance abuser never took the W hen considering these six questions,drug or drank the alcohol, they would not have the biblically based worldviewan A/SUD issue.provides the broadest and mostThose who believe A/SUD is a physical/profound answers to all struggling with A/SUD.mental disease cite numerous studies where, in The relevance of and need for scientific research,long-term exposure to A/SUD, the brain is physi-clinical approaches, and medical methods remainologically changed and follows disease patterns. the same. Science has developed many greatNeurological connections are radically changed. treatment opportunities, and we should use whatChemical receptors in the brain are disrupted, works. The biblically based worldview does notand the expected chemical flow of the brain is exclude the need for clinical counseling or med- significantly altered. This means the ability ical intervention. However, science and healthto make correct choices in the mind is often care can only partially answer these questions.physically impossible. Anyone is susceptible We need guidance from the objective sourceto A/SUD. National statistics suggest that 319 (God) for the full answers. Research shows faithpercent of those prescribed opioids are at risk of As human beings, we can live eternally when we find our purpose of glorifying God and living for Him. For these reasons, Christcentered recovery programs are very successful in helping those struggling find deeper meaning for their lives. and proven methods from science and healthmisuse. If you study the history of opioid addic-care can make an unprecedented difference intion, you discover the opioid crisis started with the lives of those living with A/SUD. pills prescribed in large dosages and physicians The elephant in the room is yet to bepressured or incentivized to offer these prescrip-addressed: Is addiction a moral failure/sin, ortions to hundreds of thousands of patients who a disease to be treated like all other diseases?followed doctors orders without fully knowing or There is a distinct either/or discussion when thisunderstanding the consequences. Research from elephant raises its trunk in the room. Manythe Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Christian circles believe A/SUD is the directshows that up to 25 percent of people prescribed result of sin/moral failure, and, therefore, theopioids have become addicted. answer is found in a relationship with JesusWe suggest a third perspective. A/SUD can be Christ, who came to save the world from sin.a moral failure and a neurological disease with This group argues that since the substance abusercomplexities varying by individual. Lets face it. chose to use the substance first, how can it beMany decide to use drugs to escape some of their 16 WWW.CITYGATENETWORK.ORG JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024'