Addiction & Faith

Hidden away in most of our family histories, our communities and even our place of worship is rampant addiction. Today's realities of isolation, fear and division have ignited the fuse of addiction. We are experiencing overwhelming incidences of substance misuse, alcoholism, codependence, eating disorders, pornography, gaming, gambling, shopping and the suffering they cause.   Faith communities are often the first places people turn to for support when difficulties arise. Yet faith leaders are ill equipped to respond to addiction, even though it is a spiritual disease. We want to change this. 

Who We Are and What We Believe

We are a spiritual fellowship of thousands of people from across North America, and soon the world, mobilizing faith communities to respond to the addiction crisis. We believe that addiction is a spiritual illness. We believe that stigma and misinformation interfere with recovery from addiction. We believe that faith plays a vital role in recovering from the effects of addiction, for individuals and communities, especially when integrated with science, justice and compassion. We are not a treatment center. We do not recommend any one method of recovery or insist on recovery. We believe that everyone is a beloved child of God and can be restored to wholeness.

What We Do

We recognize the pain of addiction in all its forms, especially acknowledging that which has led to more than 100,000 overdose deaths in 2020-2021 and a sea of loved ones who mourn. With a prophetic voice, we call on faith-community leaders to recognize the suffering inherent to addiction and invite healing for all. We provide a wealth of resources to support faith communities in this work. We also advocate for effective responses to public health issues that intersect with addiction, such as harm reduction and incarceration. 

Where & When

In 2018, we held our first conference for faith leaders outside Minneapolis, Minn.; another in 2019 and again in 2021. We host special events in places of worship across the country. Our fellowship is otherwise virtual, learning, growing and healing through Webinars, electronic communications, online programming, the Center of Addiction & Faith smartphone app and digital media. Our administrative office is outside of Minneapolis. 

Our Fellowship: Engaged, generous, diverse

• Our database of 4,500 opt-in individuals is growing by about 165 per month. 
• Member giving grew 150% in 2021, from $20,000 in 2020 to $50,000. 
• We are actively connected with clergy from 34 states and 17 denominations. Interest is growing outside the U.S. especially in Africa and Asia.

Robust Offerings

• Monthly educational webinars with leading experts drawing 200-400 registrants
• Free smartphone app loaded with resources including podcast featuring clergy in recovery, schedule of events, links to resources, news, articles, worship materials, and more
• Resources, tools and inspiration for faith communities to use to address addiction, available through our website, social media, digital communications and faith community networks
• Annual national conference
• Day symposiums for faith-community governing bodies, including teaching congregations and seminaries, and congregations
• Addiction ministry development
• Referrals for training curriculum for addiction ministry

 2022-2025 Strategic Initiatives 

• A nation-wide network of member congregations meeting criteria for becoming recovery-friendly and/or recovery-ready communities
• Advocating recovery for the most vulnerable and reconciling denial of the past
• Training for seminarians and pastors in addiction-ministry core competencies
• Local recovery retreats, symposiums, workshops and worship, serving select cities.
• Spirituality Center for prayer and meditation resources, spiritual directors & clergy recovery coach network
• A global resource center outside the U.S. for guidance on addiction ministry