Advocacy
Faith Partners acknowledges and supports individuals and family members whose voice is a powerful tool for progress and hope. Advocacy in its purest form is simply speaking in favor of something or someone. The American Cancer Society identifies five levels of advocacy: self, case, public, organizational, and legislative. Individuals progress through these levels as they grow in their own self-confidence, knowledge, and healing. The first level is self-advocacy – this is where it starts - something we do when we speak up for ourselves. We need to first be comfortable with our own story and then begin to share it with ...
Prevention
Prevention is often misunderstood – the confusion often lies in what we are trying to prevent. Are we trying to prevent addiction? Many chemically dependent people state that they were addicted before they took their first drink or drug. The only sure fire prevention in this situation is to never drink alcohol or use drugs. When chemical dependency is in the family there is a genetic vulnerability to the disease, much like any other disease. In this case abstinence is the safest option and needs to be supported. But to stop there is to miss the boat for the majority of ...
Recovery Support
Many view addiction as a sickness or disease. However, others think it is caused by personal weakness or that it is a result of sin. Faith Partners Inc. believes one’s response does depend upon one’s beliefs. We also believe that central to an effective drug and alcohol ministry is a clergy who understands addiction and is committed to providing personal and congregational pastoral care to those who are afflicted and affected. Alcoholism (and other drug dependency) has long been established as a disease by the medical community. Research is available on brain changes. Family history is a big predictor. Yet often ...
Referral Assistance
Do you know or have ever known the feeling of desperation concerning the alcohol or drug addiction problems of someone very near and dear to you? Have you ever wondered what to do about someone else’s drinking or drugging behavior? Anyone involved with an addict, alcoholic or problem drinker is affected one way or another by the addiction. Usually the first person to reach out for help is a family member. Mutual help groups such as Al-Anon and Nar-Anon offer free and confidential support for anyone affected by an alcoholic, problem drinker or drug abuser. This includes parents, grandparents, spouses, partners, ...
Early Intervention
Most of us will experience times when someone we know may be using alcohol or other drugs in dangerous or unhealthy ways. We observe behavior that is not the norm in a person’s life. When that happens, what is our role? What should we do when a family member or friend is drinking too much, or using illegal drugs? What should we say? What we do or don’t do in that moment of concern is significant to moving people toward help and healing. Our society is filled with messages that tell us to keep quiet when we see behaviors that concern ...
Overview
What is Faith Partners?Faith Partners provides the leadership, training, educational materials and consultation...
Is Our Congregation Ready?Does what works with communities apply to congregations? The National Institute of...
How Effective Are We?Faith Partners has completed a Substance Abuse Mental Health Service Administration...
How is the Work Sustained?Teams move into prevention and recovery activities within the first year and within...
Read More Posts From This CategorySuccess Stories
Bay Harbour Recovery SundayOctober 14, 2012 was a milestone event for the church and community served by the...
Our Stories Have PowerOur stories have power — to offer hope to the millions of Americans who have yet...
Understanding Youth in RecoveryDo younger addicts and alcoholics respond to the need for treatment in ways similar...
Education that Changes LivesExposure to the science and treatment of alcohol and addiction related problems can...
Read More Posts From This CategoryWhat's New
WelcomeWe’re happy you found us. We have been busy relaunching Faith Partners as an independent nonprofit. With this new website we want to reassure you we are moving forward, committed to continuing our work of initiating, nurturing and sustaining the faith community’s efforts to address alcohol, drug, and addiction issues. For five years we collaborated... [Read more of this review]
Edmond, OK Team Training May 17-18thFaith Partners Team Training is scheduled for May 17-18th in Edmond, OK. This is a two-day training program that provides the information, skills and resources to build an addiction ministry in your congregation. The workshop will take place at First Presbyterian Church, in Edmond, OK (details on attached registration form) Additional information... [Read more of this review]
Walk Demonstrates Faith Community SupportA weekend walk organized by Faith Partners ministry teams in the Paducah, KY area brought attention to supporting local recovery efforts. The walk was held along Paducah’s floodwall and participants included representatives from multiple church teams. The effort was intent on both drawing attention to and celebrating the successes of people reaching... [Read more of this review]
Family ResponseDoes this sound familiar? Perhaps you are clergy, a certified substance abuse counselor, an adult child of an alcoholic, or simply the neighbor of someone who is struggling to make the right decision about a husband, child, or other family member. The typical responses are to fight or take flight or both. Rev. Sloan Families and friends who love someone... [Read more of this review]
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