With nearly 1 in 10 Americans suffering from an addiction disorder including a variety of harmful habits the search for the most effective treatment program or process is a crucial one according to the speaker at Wednesday Morning Chapel.
Wednesday’s Convocation speaker Pastor John Baker of Saddleback Church shared with students his personal struggle with addiction and his “Celebrate Recovery” program. The program features eight principles to help individuals free themselves with the help of God from “hurts habits and hang-ups” that act as barriers to sobriety.
Nick Berg who graduated in 2001 suggested in a Feb. 18 letter to the editor that Baker’s failure to include the role of science medical assistance and behavioral treatments in his program undermines the credibility of the process.
Junior Chris Grotz however disagrees.
“The fact that this eight-step process has an increasing audience obviously says something about its credibility Grotz said. Baker wasn’t refuting medical assistance in fighting addiction— I just feel like he was suggesting a complementary process that can work if people apply themselves to it.”
Megan Ryan a spiritual life advisor at Pepperdine agreed that Baker’s program has potential but said the individuals in it must be focused on God and religion for it to be successful.
“I think the effectiveness of the program depends upon the importance of the addict’s religious fervor Ryan said. It should work well for someone really striving after God but if finding God was not someone’s primary motivation it probably wouldn’t be as effective.”
While students overall seemed to trust and approve of the message and motivation of Pastor Baker they did not reject the validity of Berg’s argument.
“I understand where he was coming from in the letter and it’s a valid argument and point but it doesn’t account for everything Grotz said. I think you need both faith and medical assistance to achieve lasting health.”
