What matters the most in long-term recovery?
A team of six addiction experts, led by Dr. Maria Pagano, sought answers. They conducted a ten-year study on the various components of long-term recovery that reaped the greatest results. Overwhelmingly, their research concluded that two things were of the utmost importance.
- Keep going to meetings.
- Help others find recovery.
Let’s focus on the second principle – helping others. Jesus tapped into this when he sent his disciples out. He told them, “Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give” (Matthew 10:8).
In other words, “Help others.”
Recovery is the one thing you get more of by giving it away to others.
Recovery Step: Do one thing today that will help someone else in their recovery.
Author: Mark Denison
Mark and Beth Denison, married for 36 years, launched There’s Still Hope as a national movement to call men and women into lives of sexual integrity. Their ministry offers 90-day recovery plans for addicts and one-on-one and group coaching for addicts and their spouses. TSH also produces resources for pastors and churches to confront the porn epidemic that is destroying so many lives.
Dr. Denison was a senior pastor for over 30 years, NBA chaplain, and board chairman at Houston Baptist University three times. With a Master’s Degree in Addiction Recovery, Mark is a certified PSAP and active member of the American Association of Christian Counselors.
Mark has written four books on recovery: Porn in the Pew, 365 Days to Sexual Integrity, A 90-Day Recovery Guide, and 40 Days to Porn-Free Living. His latest book, Jesus on the 12 Steps, will be released later this year.
