DESCRIPTION: This course explores all aspects of pastoral care for people struggling with addictions. In addition to providing theological and biblical perspectives on the addictive process, this class will help participants develop the understanding and skills needed by pastors and others who seek to help families impacted by addiction.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students who take this class will know the basic features of the recovery process and be able to respond in helpful ways both to people struggling with addictions and also to family members and others who care about the addicted person. Students will be informed about available resources, be able to do appropriate interventions and referrals for treatment, and be able to support people at all stages of the recovery process.

RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY: The addictive process is an enormous and global problem. Unfortunately, pastors, missionaries, and other religious professionals are rarely trained to identify and respond appropriately to people who are addicted.

COURSE FORMAT: The class will meet weekly for three-and-a-half-hour sessions. Didactic lecture, case examples, guest speakers, class participation, and individual field trips will be used to assist growth in understanding and development of practical ministry skills.

REQUIRED READING:

Anderson, N.T. and M. Quarles. Overcoming Addictive Behavior. Ventura, CA: Regal, 2003. (157 pp.)

Arterburn, S. Feeding Your Appetites. Nashville: Integrity, 2004. (171 pp.)

Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous. 4th ed. A.A. World Services, New York. (110 pp.)

Clinton, T. and G. Sibcy. Attachments. Nashville: Integrity, 2002. (169 pp.)

Cloud, H. and J. Townsend. Boundaries. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1992. (165 pp.)

Laaser, M. Faithful and True. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1996. (109 pp.)

Wegscheider-Cruse, S. Another Chance. Palo Alto, CA: Science and Behavior Books, 1989. (105 pp.)

Arterburn, S. and F. Stoeker. Every Man's Battle. Colorado Springs: Waterbrook, 2000.

Carnes, P. Out of the Shadows. Center City, MN: Hazelden, 2001.

Ethridge, S. Every Woman's Battle. Colorado Springs: Waterbrook, 2003.

Roth, G. Breaking Free from Compulsive Eating. New York: Signet, 1984.

1. A minimum of 1200 pages of reading with a journal documenting comments and reviews (10%).

2. Class Attendance & Participation. Students are expected to attend all classes on time, with all reading assignments completed, prepared for in-depth discussion (10%).

3. Personal Process Paper. Students will choose an addiction to which they have had at least some minimal exposure and attend at least one 12-Step meeting and a Celebrate Recovery meeting designed for people struggling with this addiction. They will write a 4-5 page paper describing and reflecting on their own personal experience of the self-help meetings and the struggle to completeto complete the first three steps of the twelve steps of Alcoholics Anonymous (30%).

4. Research Paper. Students will write an in-depth review of the addiction they chose for the Personal Process Paper. This should include information on the characteristics of the addiction, treatment options and ways in which ministry in the local church might be helpful to people struggling with this addiction. Paper should be at least 8-10 typed, double-spaced pages (30%).

5. Comprehensive Final Exam of multiple choice, matching, short answer and essay questions (20%).