The battle with drug addiction is one of the toughest a person can endure in life. Gradually eats away the body, mind, emotions, and even a person's relationship with God. Often we start out with curiosity, peer pressure, pain, depression or stress, and then end up in a situation that we didn't see coming controlling us. This subject helped me to realize that it is hard to come out of drug addiction, but if someone takes the initiative to overcome it with the help of God, discipline, prayer and people who support them, then it is possible.
In 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 God has told us that our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. It's God's desire to see us care for our bodies and not destroy it with harmful substances. When a person is addicted to drugs, he or she may lose the ability to control himself or herself and make poor choices, feel angry, steal, become violent, or depressed. However, God is always willing to forgive and assist those who are genuinely willing to change their ways. The Lord is close to the broken hearted, says Psalm 34:18. I find comfort in this verse because it is an assurance that God does not leave people to their problems.
I recall an agonizing moment that I had in which I learned about addiction. Once I had a close friend who began to take drugs in order to “feel free” from his problems. He originally told me that it was a way to help lose his stress, but his life went downhill after awhile. He became withdrawn from all the people, and didn't care about what was going to happen to him, and even had a problem spiritually. When he is run down, I'm shaken and sad. I prayed for him many times, as I saw what it would do to someone's peace and purpose, if they became addicted. From that experience I knew the importance of avoiding those things that are capable of controlling the mind and keeping us away from God.
Prayer and repentance are one of the significant means of getting rid of the addiction to drugs. One has to first acknowledge the issue and beg God to give strength. For I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” is the promise written in Philippians 4:13. Being patient is also important for recovery, as change doesn't happen in a flash. When a person reads the Bible, avoids contact with negative people, attends church services, and confers with trusted individuals, they will be able to sustain themselves while recovering.
One more thing I learned is that you don't mock and don't condemn addicts. Rather, we should do so lovingly, understandingly and authoritatively. Galatians 6:2 says, “Bear ye one another’s burdens.” Sometimes, words of encouragement and assistance can save a life.
Finally, drug addiction is harmful, but not more than God's mercy and power. Addiction is a condition that can be conquered by a person through faith, prayer, self-discipline and help from others, giving them the opportunity to start a new life. As I thought about this, I remembered that God can lift up a person and restore him no matter how far he falls.