Advent Shelter: Devotion #4

 

Shelter: As Seen Through the Eyes of Those with an Addiction  -- by Bill

 

What might Shelter look or feel like for persons with an addiction?

Societal stigmas exist for many and are known and attached to people with an addiction. Feelings and sentiments like shame, guilt, disgrace, and being perceived as bad, weak, or unwanted, are the “lot” of many who are addicted or in recovery.

 

Basic synonyms for shelter include protect, keep safe, shield, cover, shade, keep from harm, afford protection to, provide protection for, save, safeguard.

What does, or might, the giving of shelter be in our community to those with addiction?

 

There is often push back from church communities and other communities, when it comes to providing shelter for the addicted. Push back emanates from biases, frustration, judgement, and yes, fear. We have seen, and continue to see, examples front and centre with our homeless living in tents. The hoopla created as to how and where to put “those tent people.” …and yes, more push back. What then become of our “least,” addicts sitting very low, so to speak, on the social scale?

In all of this: What are the needs of the addicted from the perspective of shelter and how might we care, and assist them, in our community?

 

Assisting those, who in many cases are abandoned, or cut off from relationships by their own doing, are seeking help because of compiled circumstances, many of which were and are out of their control. There is an ongoing and increasing need to provide shelter for those seeking help.

 

So, what might a person suffering from an addiction be looking for as it pertains to shelter once basic living needs are addressed?

The Basics-

A shelter where no stigmas are in place.

A shelter that is safe, that keeps them from harm,

A shelter which screens, protects, and is a safeguard for them.

 

The providing of ‘the Basics’ of shelter for persons with an addiction is a fruitful place for recovery in a group meeting. There is much evidence of the “power of the group” for persons with addiction.

Types include:

Group Homes (6 mons and beyond)

Recovery Houses (28-day live-in programs)

Home Groups (in communities)

 

Many addicts and those who are in continued recovery flourish in Home Groups, with the assistance of the other group members while meeting in a safe room. People can always make things complicated, but in the opinion of this writer simple works well. Shelter is providing a safe space to those who seek or are in recovery that is community based. Shelter is one person helping another person in a Group setting.

 

 

Note: Resurrection shelters various Anonymous Groups providing safe rooms for group meetings.

If you, or someone you know, is struggling with addiction please do not hesitate to seek help. Pr. Kimber can connect you with a group.

 

 

Incarnate God,

wrap in your embrace all who struggle with addiction along with their families and friends. Bless programs of support and safe rooms. Provide the feeling of home through group listening and conversation. Amen.

And as prayed in anonymous rooms, the Serenity prayer: God, grant me the Serenity, to accept the things I can not change, Courage to change the things I can, and Wisdom to know the difference.