Cathy Gilbert/Clarendon Citizen
Hang on – there is hope at the end of a Life Line
A variety of problems vex people today, leaving them feeling lost and alone.
People struggle with substance abuse – drugs, alcohol, food or prescription medication; behavioral issues – addictions to gambling, pornography or anger management; and relationship problems including co-dependency, abusive or other unhealthy relationships.
Few individuals have gone through life without a brush with one of these issues. Many are able to rely on their faith, their families or their community to find their way out of the darkness.
Sadly, some are without those resources.
But thanks to an innovative, faith-based alternative, there’s hope in the form of the Life Line Connection.
Life Line is based on the 12-Step Alcoholics Anonymous model, using Scripture to bolster each of the 12 steps. It often involves family members, as abuse and addiction are usually family problems as well as individual issues. It is non-denominational.
In Manning, the group meets on Mondays and Fridays at 7 p.m. at the Clarendon Christian Learning Center, across from the Manning Primary School.
They are a diverse group of men and women, black and white, older and younger.
They all share a common problem, however … they have lost themselves at one point in their lives to an addiction, whether it be to drugs, alcohol, gambling, pornography or even spending money.
Charles Shorter is the main facilitator of the group. A devout member of Little Star Pentecostal Holiness Church, he went through training for Life Line that his church offered several years ago. Since then, he has continued to facilitate the group independently from the church.
“The Lord set me free and gave me a calling to reach out to others,” said the recovering alcoholic. “The word of God gives us direction on how to live and the spirit of God gives us guidance. Just because a person can stop drinking doesn’t mean the root causes have been dealt with. This group works on changing feelings and attitudes. The actions will take care of themselves.”
Another facilitator, Ray, said he has been sober for over 40 years and has been involved with recovery ministry since then.
“I asked God to take the desire to drink away and replace it with things so much better,” he said.
One member, Robert, 20, said he believed the program actually saved his life.
“I overdosed on Xanax because I had nothing left to live for, even though I have a wife and family that I love,” he said. Both Robert’s wife and mother attend the meetings with him.
Another participant, Wade, 29, said that his excessive partying had cost him everything, including his marriage.
“I got saved and quit everything, but it didn’t come without a price,” he said. “This program is the only reason I still have any faith at all.”
The program is structured around lessons in a published workbook on recovery on Monday nights. On Friday evenings, the group usually has a speaker who shares about their own recovery.
Lifeline Connection is open to anyone who is struggling with addiction issues. The only cost involved is for the workbook. For more information, contact Charles Shorter at 478-7411.
