Addiction Recovery: Mormon Channel "12 Steps to Change" New Video Series

The path of addiction is predicated upon the excessive and abusive participation in such activities as pornography, sex, alcohol, gambling, drug use, etc. Serious addiction is on the rise due to, among other things, the Internet making access readily available to things that in the past required more effort to experience or acquire. Living a double life is as easy as creating a virtual persona and/or engaging in addictive behavior when alone.  

One of the most devastating aspects of addiction is that those affected are led to believe that there is no hope to course correct their lives and find favor with God and loved ones once again. But that assumption could not be further from the truth. The truth is, the Atonement of Jesus Christ is the answer – not the thing to run and hide from in shame.

Elder David A. Bednar shared this powerful testimony on his Facebook page:

“I declare my witness of the living reality of our Savior, Jesus Christ. I love and revere Him. His power and peace are real. His Atonement has the power to cleanse, heal, guide, protect, and strengthen us.  

I invite you to study, pray, ponder, and strive to learn more about the Savior’s Atonement. The unique challenges in each of our lives are designed to help us rely upon the merits, mercy, and grace of the Holy Messiah.  

I testify and promise He will help us bear up our burdens with ease.”

I believe.

Often, family members and those closest to people suffering a serious addiction don’t know how to help. Denial is often the easiest course of action believing that to intervene would be to risk the relationship. Nevertheless, I believe we can offer them hope -- not a simple commodity.

Hope is the key to change and sets before us a way to choose a new, positive way of life. Hope enables the desire to exercise agency to choose something better. Hopes creates desire. Hope is the great catalyst to change!

We can give hope to those suffering from addiction. That hope, if they choose it, can heal them from the inside out. Willpower will never be enough to overcome serious addiction. All need God’s grace if we are to be successful in this life and meet the measure of our creation, which is to become like our Savior. Every one of us falls short of the glory of God and have need of the sanctifying power of the Atonement. Addiction is one challenge and one that can be managed.

September 1st, in conjunction with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Addiction Recovery Program and in support of National Addiction Recovery Month, the Mormon Channel will release a series of 12, original videos to support those going through the process of addiction recovery titled: 12 Steps to Change.

Watch the "12 Steps to Change" Series Trailer:

Press Release:

In support of National Addiction Recovery Month, Mormon Channel, the media channel for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, is releasing an original video series highlighting the real struggles and triumphs of people working to overcome addiction.

Each video in the series focuses on one person’s experience with one of the 12 steps in the addiction recovery program. Titled “12 Steps to Change,” the series features a combination of raw interviews mixed with dramatic reenactments. Recovering addicts are given the opportunity to share their stories in their own words, as they overcome addictions to drugs, alcohol, food, sex, and pornography.

The videos are the centerpiece of a larger campaign to increase awareness of the help that can be found through the addiction recovery program and encourage honest conversation about a subject that many feel reluctant to address. Todd Daley, director of Mormon Channel explains, “We understand there are tough challenges that families face when dealing with addiction, and we wanted to make sure we shared real stories of hope and recovery. Change is possible.

These stories will inspire you no matter your circumstance.” The first video in the 12-part series premieres online September 1st on http://mormonchannel.org/12steps. Each day a new video detailing the next step will be highlighted. “We want people to watch the videos,” says Daley, “but we don’t want it to stop there. The goal is to get more people talking about this, so individuals and families fighting addiction can feel like they have the support they need wherever they are in the recovery process.”

"Addiction is real. So is recovery." Please consider who you might share this powerful video series with and do it.

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Kathryn Skaggs