By CARRIE LUNDGREN
LDS Family Services is offering classes and recovery groups for substance abusers and their families.
Based on the 12-step recovery program from alcoholics anonymous, the meetings focus on helping abusers of alcohol and drugs liberate themselves from their addictive behaviors, said Sister Phillips, a missionary from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
With her husband, Elder and Sister Phillips conduct substance recovery programs every Thursday night at 7:30 p.m. in Rooms 171 and 227 of BYU’s John Taylor Building located on 900 East.
The Phillips are one of the 13 full- or part-time missionary couples called to serve in bringing awareness of the program to Utah County.
“In the average ward, there are between 2 to 20 substance abusers — about 2 percent,” Sister Phillips said.
To help these abusers overcome their addictions, each meeting also aids the spiritual development of its participants, Sister Phillips said.
“We open every class with a spiritual thought based on Jesus Christ’s atonement and how it applies to the addict’s problems,” Elder Phillips said. “The program is a blueprint to repentance.”
Sister Phillips said participants hear candid experiences of repentance and hope from the meeting facilitators, who are recovering substance abusers themselves.
“They are current active members of the church and usually hold temple recommends,” Sister Phillips said. “They are very inspiring.”
Each meeting concludes with time for the group’s participants to share their personal experiences.
“It’s a wonderful place for people to make associates and receive support from each other,” Sister Phillips said.
Adult substance abuse recovery groups meet weekly throughout Utah County. Their meetings are open to alcohol and drug abusers and their families.
