Can't stay sober? 3 reasons why a person cannot break free from addiction

I have been sober for 20 years and also have 15+ years in helping others try to overcome their own addiction. This is my personal opinion of why many people struggle to be sober and cannot break free from addiction. This is not a comprehensive list of reasons by any means but more so 3 main reasons people cannot stay sober.

1. They don't actually want to be free and they haven't made a heart level decision to leave a life of addiction. The Greek word for repentance means to " change your mind" and the Hebrew word means "to turn around and face". We need to change our mind about addiction and the destruction of it and turn towards God for help. I have talked to many people in addiction who just want to beat a court case (legal issues), appease their families or other people, or who want to change to some degree but they have not fully closed the door to returning to their addiction and their old life. We cannot be friends and play with addiction as God will set people free from their enemies and not their friends (repentance is needed).

2. There are so many unresolved issues that are creating emotional pain that people are using drugs and alcohol to numb and distract themselves from. The Greek word trauma means "wounded". Many people in addiction have unhealed trauma in their life such as unhealed childhood pain of rejection, abandonment, molestation, rape, etc. Many people in addiction carry anger, hatred, unforgiveness, or bitterness towards people who have hurt them which creates emotional discomfort. Many people in addiction hate themselves because of all the mistakes they have made; relapses and failed attempts at sobriety, not being the parent they wanted to be, crimes, sexual indiscretions, failures, disappointments, etc. and this is a heavy emotional burden to carry.

Ephesians 4:26 "in your anger do not sin, do not let the sun go down on your anger and do not give the devil a foothold" Many times unhealed pain is a doorway to darkness and evil spirits can exasperate these painful emotional issues. Jesus is the healer of the brokenhearted (healing is needed)

3. It's spiritual and spiritual problems can only be solved spiritually as they are not solved by natural means. Spiritual problems can be the person in addiction is not rightly related to God and/or they are dealing with generational curse/demonic spirit(s) that are holding them in bondage. The Greek word for sorcery is "pharmakeia" which is where we get our English word for drugs. Sorcery has been pagan practice used to open up with the realm of the spirit and connects them with demonic spirits by using drugs, potions, drinks, herbs, etc. A former drug dealer who was a meth cook told me years ago that many drug dealers conjure demonic spirits to attach to their batch to make the batch stronger. Alcohol interestingly enough is also referred to as "spirits". Alcoholism (drunkenness) can be a curse and can transfer down the generational line from ancestors. Even secular minded people will see that if there is alcoholism in parents it is likely to show up in the children.

Sorcery and drunkenness are both listed in Galatians 5:20-21 as works of the flesh. Yielding to the flesh continually will eventually open the door to demonic spirits. The flesh is not a demon but is the doorway for them to enter. I was a chronic alcoholic and personally got set free from a curse of alcoholism in 2009 and when the demon left after the curse was broken the demon spoke through me. "NO, we have been here so long." Alcoholism had been in the generational line for so long as my father was alcoholic, my grandfather was alcoholic, and who knows how far back the curse went. Whenever people cannot break free from addiction there is a possibility that they need deliverance from an evil spirt(s). The answer to addiction is calling upon Jesus who is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). He still sets people free from curses and demonic spirits. (deliverance is needed)

JESUS IS THE ANSWER TO TRUE FREEDOM FROM ADDICTION

If you are looking for freedom from addiction and/or a church community, I invite you to Truth & Freedom Church on Friday Nights at 6:30pm.

We are located at:

Truth & Freedom Church

3300 University Ave SE

Mpls, MN 55414

www.truthandfreedomchurch.com