Every week, I talk to many people about addiction and answer any questions they may have.
The first part of these talks normally goes quickly, because people understand “Why” we need to do something about addiction. They are aware there are vast numbers of people who are affected, and they know some of them personally.
Then we talk about the breakthrough approach of preventing addiction—working with people earlier in the cycle rather than waiting until they crash and burn. This is “What” STEPS Ministries is all about, to help people improve their lives, grow closer to God, and prevent addiction.
Addressing the third of the answers to addiction is where things get even more interesting.
Understanding the “How”
When I started writing my book, one of the first things I did was research other books on similar topics. There were almost none focused on prevention of addiction, and those that referred to “prevention” at all were really about treatment and recovery.
Another huge gap I found was that the vast majority of books left out one key question: the “How.”
Helping people understand how to prevent addiction became a primary focus for STEPS: A Daily Journey to a Better Life. Since then, many STEPS Journey Blog articles have outlined numerous how-to techniques, and STEPS Ministries organizes these principles into key areas including:
- Awareness – Ensure people are aware of the dangers of addiction, increase their self-awareness, and help them assess the consequences of the trajectory their life is on.
- Connection – Encourage people to maintain vulnerable relationships, connect to others who can help them see they are not alone, and get some help, starting right where they are.
- Education – Provide training on warning signs to look out for, techniques for how to deal with issues (we all have them), and positive habits to establish to prevent addiction.
Three simple words—awareness, connection, education—that help provide answers to addiction!
But Who Are the “Who”?
After the “Why, What, and How” comes the “Who.” Who are the people interested in finding answers to addiction? I decided to capture some real-life examples of the “Who” below.
And this list only mentions people I communicated with in the last TWO DAYS! They include the:
- Business man determining how addiction prevention can help people at his company.
- Church pastor interested in training for parents and other addiction related services.
- Nonprofit leader planning on how to integrate STEPS material into future events.
- Person dealing with anxiety and alcohol who wonders if he needs God in his life.
- Man with a daughter dealing with depression who may be at risk of substance abuse.
- Business leader in recovery who is excited about ways to help others prevent addiction.
- Woman struggling with a relapse with alcohol and wondering how to break that cycle.
- Business man who was a drug addict and now wants to help others deal with addiction.
- Roomful of people who reinforced the value of STEPS material, tools, and training.
- Other individuals I am engaged in discussions with about challenges in their lives.
There are many examples of people who want answers to addiction; are you one of them?
Wrapping Up the Answers to Addiction
A fifth question becomes: “Where” can we do this good work to help prevent addiction?
STEPS Ministries collaborates with companies, churches, and other organizations to change culture and deliver programs to groups of people in a highly leveraged manner. And we provide education and content over the internet to reach anyone—anonymously—anytime and anywhere.
By this point in my conversations with people, they understand the answers to addiction related to the “Why, What, How, Who, and Where” of STEPS Ministries.
Which leads to one final question: the “When.” When is it right to save people’s lives and families from addiction? When should we help them find more peace, joy, and purpose in their lives?
There is only one good answer to, “When?” And that answer is, “Now!”
Question: When is the right time for you to pitch in and help prevent addiction?
Action: Send me an email if you have questions about the answers to addiction.
Photo by Alistair-Hamilton 
Photo by Veronique Debord
