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THE PATH HOME FROM ADDICTION IS PAVED BY THOSE IN RECOVERY
Christian Grace House in Georgetown, DE offers safe, affordable sober living for people actively involved in recovery.
May 23, 2023
The paths into addiction are wide, but the gate leading out is narrow. Those of us who have found a way out, know that we sustain our recovery by showing others to the door and holding it open.
“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. (Mathew 7:13-14)
Every road to recovery begins with the same first step: Admitting you’re powerless over your addiction and seeking help.
STEP 1 “We admitted we were powerless over our addiction - that our lives had become unmanageable.”
For those who have taken that step, sought help and have begun to embrace sobriety, one of the first hurdles is finding a place to live - and that’s where things often fall apart. We’ve alienated friends and family and relapse is practically guaranteed if we find ourselves back among the same people, places and things.
Returning to a community after treatment or incarceration, people find a severe shortage of affordable housing and most don’t have the funds to sign a lease.
Transitional recovery homes offer a safe space with others in the process of earning their lives back. The good news is that Sussex County has many sober living recovery homes to choose from. All of them have some degree of success because of what they have in common, peer support among others with similar struggles. This AA and NA based model has worked for 90 years. If an hour long meeting helps so many to maintain sobriety, it should follow that full time living among others on a similar journey should find success.
STEP 2 “Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.”
Christian Grace homes are among the few faith-based recovery homes in Georgetown, DE
“We are not afraid of calling our higher power God,” says owner David Forman. “Faith and Grace are cornerstones of our beliefs. We don’t ask for a statement of faith to join us, just an open heart that’s ready for true permanent change. We’re about Grace to those who’ve done the hardest work of surrendering and now need a starting place to begin to take their lives back.”
Jesus said we are a slave to our sins. Any addict will freely admit that we become slaves to our addictions. In fact, a common phrase in recovery is “breaking the chains of addiction.” For a slave to become free, He needed to be redeemed; A price had to be paid for his freedom. The person who paid the price to set a slave free was called the “redeemer.”
"I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed" (John 8:31-36).
Jesus paid for your freedom from all sin with His life. He is your redeemer. It’s His FREE gift to you, and all you need to do is accept it!
Forman says, “We have yet to meet a person in recovery who is not immensely grateful to no longer be a slave to a substance! Just as we’ve yet to meet somebody who is sorry they’ve accepted Christ!”
“However, we are not a religious organization or program,” Forman adds.
“Religion is a set of man-made rules that people believe can help them reach and please God,” says Forman. “Jesus taught the opposite. His life, death and resurrection is God’s attempt to reach us!”
“While we encourage a personal relationship with God, we are nothing more or less than a supportive place to live among others in recovery, following the basic biblical principle of being kind to each other.”
Company Director, Andrea Broomall says Christian Grace residents are expected to follow simple rules based on safety and common courtesy. “We don’t designate resident house managers,” says Broomall. “This seems to reduce power struggles and encourages better cooperation within the home,” she says.
Instead, Andrea and David (always first names in recovery) are often present and remain involved to the extent any resident feels necessary. During the week, both offer a very wide range of personal assistance and informal counsel, and most Sunday evenings everyone shares a meal in the home’s beautiful Zen Garden, discussing the previous weeks’ experiences and planning how they might support each other during the week to come.
Living among others in recovery in a safe supportive environment truly raises the odds of success for residents.
“A person who falls into a deep narrow well may do so alone, but she’s not climbing out without the help of others,” says Broomall. “You make a solo descent into addiction, but your ascent to freedom requires a team.”
On a winning team, every member has the same goal, and everyone contributes. Residents are required to work at least part time, and be actively participating in their recovery. That means any type of 12 Step meetings (NA. AA, CR) and / or PHP. We also count church attendance and / or bible study as meeting this important participation requirement.
If you have at least 30 days clean, are not on maintenance meds like Suboxone or Methadone, and are capable of working at least part time, we’d love to welcome you. Resources for initial funding may be available. Visit Christian-grace.com to learn more and apply or call (302) 500-3881.
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Experience our Zen of Recovery Series here:
Break The Addiction Cycle with the Zen of Recovery
More Zen of Recovery: Breaking the Cycle of Addiction Part II
Spiritual and Substance Abuse Recovery: The Power of Words
