tic process of personal transformation, including support from others. A significant number of returning citizens have a history of SUD. Many of them experience sobriety during incarceration. Many others continue using while incarcerated, due to the prevalence of contraband in facilities. Not all inmates receive intensive programming to address their SUD, but there are many recovery programs operating in jails and prisons. Alco- holics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous are well-known, but there are many others, including Celebrate Recovery. Many of these “inside” programs create a pipeline of people working on their recovery and eager to continue that work on the outside. Returning citizens often need and desire both treatment and recovery upon release. Research shows that, due to reduced tolerance, there is a heightened risk of fatal overdose during the early days following release, with significant numbers of opioid users relapsing during their first thirty days out. Celebrate Recovery (CR) is a well-known and influential Christ-centered, 12-step reentry fellowship. Held in over 35,000 congregations across the country, there is also a prison and jail extension, CR Inside, that’s available in nearly 400 facilities. Typically, in a congregational setting, meetings are held weekly and are composed of a large group meeting (with prayer, worship, and teaching) followed by gender-specific and issue-specific small group gather- ings. In addition, “step study” small groups, held at other times, help partici- pants to work through their specific step of recovery. By no means is Celebrate Recovery the only option. Our survey respondents listed all kinds of different programs, some that they created themselves. But one great feature of CR is that they have developed a curriculum and program materials that help a con- gregation prepare for, successfully launch, and then operate a life-changing reentry fellowship. The Recovery Fellowship model is a great fit for a congregation that... …has leaders who are in recovery themselves. This helps personally bind the concerns and loyalties of the recovery group to the congregation at large. …already appreciates the significance and connection between addiction, recovery, transformation, and the Christian faith. If this topic never comes up in your congregational life, you’ll need to do more prep work. …has margin to make space available for what can grow into a significant ministry. People in recovery can be passionate and “all in,” and these minis- tries need space to grow. …is comfortable enough with the language and theological perspective embedded in existing branded recovery materials. The alternative of creat-
[ 29 ]
Made with FlippingBook Digital Publishing Software