As a pastor, I often get asked what my must-have Christian books are. Reading is one of my favorite things to do in life. All readers are leaders, and all leaders are readers. Spending time in a book is one of my life’s joys. Not only does it help me grow in my relationship with God, but I also broaden and deepen my knowledge, reduce stress and create time for contemplation.

Below are my top five most cherished books in Christian literature. They offer insight to anyone—whether in recovery from drugs and alcohol or not. However, when I consider the best Christian books for alcohol and drug addiction, my list remains the same. The wisdom contained in these books will provide guidance and comfort to anyone pursuing recovery in the context of their Christian faith.

I was convinced I wasn’t good enough—that I was leave-able, not worth staying sober for, not worth anything.

PTSD is elusive; it hides in the shadows and lurks where you least expect it. Oftentimes you’re not even sure you have it—and you’ve likened it to stories of war veterans who, no doubt, have seen some things you will never see in your life. So how could you have PTSD? It’s not like your life is a war zone.

After completing a treatment program for alcohol and/or substance misuse, individuals are advised to remain connected to supportive family and friends, as well as to support groups. This includes returning to a safe home environment or attending a sober living facility, depending on the situation, circumstances, and needs of the individual. Doing so allows those in sobriety to get the support they need in order to reach long-term recovery. Addiction recovery apps contribute to maintaining this process by providing 24-hour access to support in some sort of capacity.

Does your loved one drink too much during the holidays?

Or at any time for that matter? What’s the best way to respond? Here are some general guidelines for navigating this challenging time. Every person and situation is different, so these guidelines are just a beginning. Let’s start with what is ineffective and possibly harmful.

Don’t ignore the excessive drinking.

Sometimes ignoring a problem is sensible, especially if it clears up later on its own. Here we assume it is not clearing up. Like drinking too much, ignoring problems is a short-term solution that masks, or tries to mask, something deeper.

The challenge of finding the best inpatient drug rehab center

When you or a loved one is suffering from the disease of addiction, you want a treatment facility you can trust—a rehab that’s reliable.

With the expansion in recent years of inpatient drug and alcohol treatment centers, there are now over 14,000 drug rehabs in the U.S. alone. A number of them, however, are shoddy or outright fraudulent. And even those that are above board will vary in quality and services. 

People tend to put up with a lot of unkind or unacceptable behavior just because it’s coming from family members. Buck that trend by defining boundaries.

With vaccinations on board and safety measures in place, more of us are cautiously getting together with our families, celebrating postponed birthday parties and weddings. When you discuss these plans with friends or colleagues, however, you might notice a trend. Although most people have some excitement for family gatherings, there’s also an ever-present current of dread.