Biblical Temptation & Backsliding
compared to
Clinical Urges-Cravings & Relapse
Pamela Morgan, BS/CADC-M
Key Insights, LLC
P.O. Box 760502
Lathrup Village, MI 48076
(313) 610-4626
Co-Facilitator: Karrie McCrary, MSW / MAFE
BIBLICAL BACKSLIDING COMPARED TO CLINICAL RELAPSE KEY INSIGHTS, LLC (313) 610-4626 email:
toxicrelationships@yahoo.com
Cycle of Addiction
ADAPTED FROM CL. PRODUCTIONS: Breaking the Addiction Cycle
BELIEF SYSTEM
(thought of evil-rehearsing
believed benefits of using)
(consequences)
UNMANAGEABILITY
IMPAIRED THINKING
(Drawn away-strong imagination)
(lusts-overwhelming strong desire
ADDICTION CYCLE
PREOCCUPATION
BIBLICAL BACKSLIDING COMPARED TO CLINICAL RELAPSE KEY INSIGHTS, LLC (313) 610-4626 email:
toxicrelationships@yahoo.com
Definitions
• Belief System – set of values, judgments, myths we hold to
be true which affect our perception about various topics
such as drug addiction, relationships, etc.
• Impaired Thinking – damaged thoughts / denial {cut off
from reality} / rationalizing, minimizing, blaming and
justifying
• Addiction Cycle – a series of occurrences involving the
identified addiction, that is repeated in the same basic
order once it has began.
• Unmanageability – Consequences in three major areas:
Physical consequences such as health problems or
accidents and the inability to stop in spite of consequences,
Mental consequences such as thoughts of suicide, selfhatred and obsession to indulge again.
Spiritual consequences characterized by the emptiness felt
inside and the self-centeredness – continuing to indulge
regardless of who is being hurt or adversely affected by the
use. BIBLICAL BACKSLIDING COMPARED TO CLINICAL RELAPSE KEY INSIGHTS, LLC (313) 610-4626
email: toxicrelationships@yahoo.com
Cycle of Addiction
ADAPTED FROM CL. PRODUCTIONS: Breaking the Addiction Cycle
(enticed thru rehearsal of thoughts)
PREOCCUPATION
(results-remorse)
DESPAIR
(yielding)
RITUALS
(sin)
COMPULSIVITY
BIBLICAL BACKSLIDING COMPARED TO CLINICAL RELAPSE KEY INSIGHTS, LLC (313) 610-4626 email:
toxicrelationships@yahoo.com
Definitions (cont.)
• Preoccupation – a trance or mood state about obtaining the chemical or
whatever the object of the addiction. Preoccupation creates internal
stimulation (cravings) – Thoughts without behavior. These thoughts can
begin while engaging in old activities that were once related to
indulgence in the addiction.
• Ritual – a set of habits or behaviors which are automatic. “Automatic
Pilot” – doing them without thinking – Behavior without thoughts.
These are behaviors directly related to indulgence in the addiction.
• Compulsivity – the actual indulgence in the addiction. This stage lasts
only as long as it takes to physically act; to drink the first drink, smoke
the first joint, etc.
• Despair – this is the misery stage where feelings of hopelessness,
anguish, regret, gloom, depression set in with thoughts such as “I’m just
stupid”, “what’s wrong with me?”,
“I can’t do anything right so I might as well just …”
BIBLICAL BACKSLIDING COMPARED TO CLINICAL RELAPSE KEY INSIGHTS, LLC (313) 610-4626 email:
toxicrelationships@yahoo.com
Maintaining Deliverance / Recovery
7 Steps in Temptation-Triggers & Urges
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Tempted –thought of evil – BELIEF SYSTEM
Drawn away by strong imagination-IMPAIRED THINKING
Lust –overwhelmingly strong desire- ADDICTION CYCLE
Enticed: weakened will-PREOCCUPATION
Yielding (when lust is full grown)- RITUALS
Sin: actual act committed- COMPULSIVITY
Results – DESPAIR
Consequences – UNMANAGEABILITY
BIBLICAL BACKSLIDING COMPARED TO CLINICAL RELAPSE
KEY INSIGHTS, LLC (313) 610-4626 email: toxicrelationships@yahoo.com
CASE STUDY
• Jane Doe- age 45-AA single female – (0) children
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Father pastor-dedicated to Church -spent little time w/ Jane
Mother was a closet alcoholic; died when Jane was 11
Jane is currently preaching – spends offering on drugs
Began using AOD-age 13;
Tx -(0) Clinical-refuses (5) Religious homes
Remained drug free 89 days on two occasions; returned to preaching
before ‘backsliding’.
Relies on religion to keep her clean/ prays diligently / baffled about her
inability to stay clean; feels like God doesn’t love her
Quotes scripture in normal conversation; defensive about her religious
knowledge
Has joined your church asking you and your pastoral team to counsel her
Church on Sunday- mood swings during sessions with you on Monday;
usually uses again on Monday or Tuesday
You and your team recently attended this training; how will you use it to
help Jane.