MAT (Medication Assisted Treatment) and the Bible

Jim B. · May 5, 2021

Hi all!

I am employed with a rather big drug and alcohol treatment organization that largely focuses on medication assisted treatment such as methodone, suboxone, and librium (or perhaps a vivitrol shot). I joined the organization two years ago as an ambitious Christian with a 12-step background. The world of MAT was COMPLETELY new to me. I thought we would be working the steps and I thought since the steps refer to God that it would be relatively easy to have godly conversations with my clients.

I'm learning through my work and through my Christian counseling training through the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors (ACBC) that the medical world is treating addiction and mental health as solely a medical problem.

I completely disagree! And I think my clients ought to work the steps! And repent for their sins and turn to Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.

And so, my questions are, shall I turn away and quit because the medical world is perhaps cancelling out people like me? Can one make a Christian argument for MAT, for a short period of time? Am I guilty of sin for helping my clients get on a permanent or semi-permanent dosage of methadone? In many ways, I'm misinformed about this world because I've never been through it on a personal level (my addictions were different than a lot of the modern trends). Any advice helps! Please and thank you.

Hammster · May 5, 2021

If you cannot, in good conscience, abide by their protocols, then leaving would be the way to go.

I’m not big on a medical answer to addiction if it’s the main treatment. Addiction is a sin problem, not a medical one. I do not believe that alcoholism is a disease, nor do I believe that’s once an alcoholic, always an alcoholic. I do believe that the gospel will work.

Now, if there’s medication that helps folks get off the drugs or alcohol without the severe withdrawals, I’m okay with that. But their sin must be dealt with in order to have long-lasting and beneficial outcomes.

com7fy8 · May 5, 2021

"the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus" (in Philippians 4:6-7)

I understand this is what works to take care of our spiritual "minds".

But possibly a physical brain needs a little help from a medication.

But a person's character, deeper than physical, needs how only God can cure our character so we are immune, even, to sin-sick drives and reactions and ways of thinking and emotions which have spiritual roots.

No physical medication can cure a personality trouble, because our personalities are spiritual. But our Father is curing us by changing us to become like His Son Jesus. This works

Jesus is almighty. And we are told, "be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might." (in Ephesians 6:10) In His peace with strength almighty we can hold out against any and all cruel and damaging and hurting and addicting passions and emotional ways of reacting badly. And Jesus is "gentle and lowly in heart" > Matthew 11:29 > in His gentleness and humility we have this almighty power to keep our personalities safe and sweet, in His rest > "you will find rest for your souls." (in Matthew 11:29)

So, I would offer that this needs to be the context and hope of the steps.

RaymondG · May 5, 2021

Until we become believers and are able to lay hands on the sick and have them recover......we have little alternatives but to use doctors and medicines. So it would be unwise to paint them in a negative light.

Jim B. · May 9, 2021

Jim B. said:
Hi all!

I am employed with a rather big drug and alcohol treatment organization that largely focuses on medication assisted treatment such as methodone, suboxone, and librium (or perhaps a vivitrol shot). I joined the organization two years ago as an ambitious Christian with a 12-step background. The world of MAT was COMPLETELY new to me. I thought we would be working the steps and I thought since the steps refer to God that it would be relatively easy to have godly conversations with my clients.

I'm learning through my work and through my Christian counseling training through the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors (ACBC) that the medical world is treating addiction and mental health as solely a medical problem.

I completely disagree! And I think my clients ought to work the steps! And repent for their sins and turn to Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.

And so, my questions are, shall I turn away and quit because the medical world is perhaps cancelling out people like me? Can one make a Christian argument for MAT, for a short period of time? Am I guilty of sin for helping my clients get on a permanent or semi-permanent dosage of methadone? In many ways, I'm misinformed about this world because I've never been through it on a personal level (my addictions were different than a lot of the modern trends). Any advice helps! Please and thank you.

Thank you for all of your replies!

Freedom7 · Aug 22, 2022

Jim B. said:
Hi all!

I am employed with a rather big drug and alcohol treatment organization that largely focuses on medication assisted treatment such as methodone, suboxone, and librium (or perhaps a vivitrol shot). I joined the organization two years ago as an ambitious Christian with a 12-step background. The world of MAT was COMPLETELY new to me. I thought we would be working the steps and I thought since the steps refer to God that it would be relatively easy to have godly conversations with my clients.

I'm learning through my work and through my Christian counseling training through the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors (ACBC) that the medical world is treating addiction and mental health as solely a medical problem.

I completely disagree! And I think my clients ought to work the steps! And repent for their sins and turn to Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.

And so, my questions are, shall I turn away and quit because the medical world is perhaps cancelling out people like me? Can one make a Christian argument for MAT, for a short period of time? Am I guilty of sin for helping my clients get on a permanent or semi-permanent dosage of methadone? In many ways, I'm misinformed about this world because I've never been through it on a personal level (my addictions were different than a lot of the modern trends). Any advice helps! Please and thank you.

Freedom7 · Aug 22, 2022

Hello,
I am having an almost exact inner battle. As a Christian also in recovery myself, I am working in an Outpatient program where methadone is the norm. I am able to pray with the patients, although I have an uneasiness in my heart on whether I am compromising. I thank you for sharing this post because I was thinking I was the only one who was struggling with this inner battle...conclusion (I'm trying to hear the Lord of my soul)

chilehed · Aug 22, 2022

Jim B. said:
I'm learning through my work and through my Christian counseling training through the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors (ACBC) that the medical world is treating addiction and mental health as solely a medical problem.

To a hammer, everything looks like a nail.

Jim B. said:
Can one make a Christian argument for MAT, for a short period of time?

For a short period of time, sure, depending on what drugs they've been using, how much and for how long. But a plan for it to be permanent with no treatment of the actual problem (yes, it's a physical, mental AND SPRITUAL condition) is malpractice.

Unfortunately, IME the majority of people in the field are pathetically ignorant about the nature of addiction.

Frank Robert · Sep 18, 2022

Jim B. said:
Hi all!

I am employed with a rather big drug and alcohol treatment organization that largely focuses on medication assisted treatment such as methodone, suboxone, and librium (or perhaps a vivitrol shot). I joined the organization two years ago as an ambitious Christian with a 12-step background. The world of MAT was COMPLETELY new to me. I thought we would be working the steps and I thought since the steps refer to God that it would be relatively easy to have godly conversations with my clients.

Phama is big money so of course they are going to promote phama. I am a retired addictions psychologist who ran multiple outpatient recovery programs. Not everyone will respond to a 12 step program or a religious program or to a rational recovery program or to a drug oriented program like naltrexone, etc. Treatment needs to be individualized for individuals and their families.

I'm learning through my work and through my Christian counseling training through the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors (ACBC) that the medical world is treating addiction and mental health as solely a medical problem.

The 12 step programs and rational recovery are abstinence-based addiction recovery programs.

I completely disagree! And I think my clients ought to work the steps! And repent for their sins and turn to Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.

Unfortunately the 12 steps do not work for everyone and or christian programs do not work for everyone.

And so, my questions are, shall I turn away and quit because the medical world is perhaps cancelling out people like me? Can one make a Christian argument for MAT, for a short period of time? Am I guilty of sin for helping my clients get on a permanent or semi-permanent dosage of methadone? In many ways, I'm misinformed about this world because I've never been through it on a personal level (my addictions were different than a lot of the modern trends). Any advice helps! Please and thank you.

Do not turn away. If you are against methadone then look to work in a different setting. My first position in addictions was in a methadone program. The major problem I saw was not in getting the patients off street drugs but in getting them away from the street cultural. I next worked in a dual diagnosis program in a major psychiatric hospital. The major problem there was in getting the psychiatric disorder under control. You can not treat addiction unless the psych disorder is controlled. I left county and government services 1983 to open an intensive outpatient program where we treated our patients as individuals, meaning, we did not stick them into a 12 step program because it was the expected thing to do. I was one of first promoters of Miller and Rollnick's motivational interviewing (MI) which is now standard. The MI major problem in the 80s was that it was not sold on the 12 step programs as the only treatment.

If you are working with a Christian group there are many ways to bring in spiritually. Examples: the serenity prayer and Herbert Benson's relaxation response.

As an aside. I was in on early discussions with Merck and Dupont when they were attempting to get the naltrexone approved to treat alcoholism.

At present I am developing a program for families with abuse problems with the intention of managing stress through the relaxation response. The program will be hosted by a Catholic church.

splish- splash · Mar 8, 2023

Maybe pray for them and suggest things like fellowship, refer to reputable Christian sites that help people with these types of addictions including encouraging them to read God's word.

Do this, only when you're required to offer health promotion advice, since there is also that spiritual aspect as part of addressing their health holistically. That way, you're practising within your boundaries, where you wont get into trouble...

splish- splash · Mar 8, 2023

splish- splash said:
Maybe pray for them and suggest things like fellowship, refer to reputable Christian sites that help people with these types of addictions including encouraging them to read God's word.

Do this, only when you're required to offer health promotion advice, since there is also that spiritual aspect as part of addressing their health holistically. That way, you're practising within your boundaries, where you wont get into trouble..

splish- splash · Mar 8, 2023

I guess you look at the fact that, they are being used to try and treat so as to help improve health outcomes. It's only when they are being abused out there, that they cause more harm than good.

FireDragon76 · Mar 8, 2023

Medical treatment of addiction is effective and it is consistent with a harm reduction approach. It permits addicts the space to get away from the addictive substance and the settings surrounding it. I would think those are all good things in themselves. People can seek out spirituality and a supportive community later, but the immediate priority should be to get them out of addiction and the behaviors surrounding it.

Frank Robert · Mar 8, 2023

FireDragon76 said:
Medical treatment of addiction is effective and it is consistent with a harm reduction approach. It permits addicts the space to get away from the addictive substance and the settings surrounding it. I would think those are all good things in themselves. People can seek out spirituality and a supportive community later, but the immediate priority should be to get them out of addiction and the behaviors surrounding it.

Can you expand on you mean by "medical treatment of addictions."

MAT (Medication Assisted Treatment) and the Bible

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