How Woman Are Finding Freedom at the Next Door
Independence Day is one of our nation’s most celebrated holidays, signifying the United States’ declaration of freedom from British rule. At The Next Door, we see women experiencing many different areas of newfound freedom as they move toward lifetime recovery from drugs and alcohol.
Spiritual freedom – “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” John 8. 36
Many of The Next Door’s clients walk through our doors angry with God because of past trauma or losses. The Next Door was founded on Christian principles, and we continue to make our client’s spiritual need a top priority. Our spiritual wellness program consists of weekly groups about Spirituality in Recovery, one-on-one spiritual direction sessions, guided meditation, prayer, and bible study using The Life Recovery Bible. At The Next Door, clients are learning new ways of relating to God, new images of God, and new tools to nurture their spirituality, greatly increasing their chances for lifetime recovery.
Emotional Freedom – “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” Galatians 5:1
Our clients first walk through our doors suffering from childhood trauma, abuse, poverty, and broken relationships. Many are living like slaves to past hurts and treating their own pain with drugs and alcohol. To help them find emotional freedom and healthy coping skills, The Next Door hires master’s level, trauma-informed clinical and medical staff who have knowledge of addiction and a desire to deliver evidence-based care in a Christ-centered, compassionate environment. This sets The Next Door’s program apart from other treatment programs, allowing our women to not only end their substance abuse but to become whole and healthy emotionally.
Physical freedom – “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” Revelations 21:4
Withdrawal symptoms when ending drug and alcohol use can be harrowing, and this physical pain is a major reason women use to avoid becoming sober or relapse back into addiction. For women who need to detox, The Next Door provides medical stabilization and monitoring of substance withdrawal by 24-hour awake staff in a secure residential environment. This allows women to endure withdrawal and make it to the healing stage. The Next Door also provides Medication Assisted Treatment in treating opioid and alcohol disorder. The medications used – buprenorphine and naltrexone – curb drug cravings and prevent withdrawal symptoms, providing these women the physical freedom from pain while becoming sober.
Financial freedom – “And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.” 2 Corinthians 9:8 NLT
Many women at The Next Door have lived in poverty for most of their lives. Addiction prevents some from holding down a steady job. Others never finished high school as their substance abuse took over. When a woman heals and learns coping skills, all aspects of her life improve – including her education and employment. Some of our staff’s happiest moments are hearing about a woman receiving her GED or college diploma – or celebrating a year anniversary at a job she loves. The best rewards are the women who are so thankful, they begin donating back to The Next Door to help other women who are walking in their shoes.
This July 4, as we all celebrate our nation’s freedom, if you know of a woman who needs freedom from addiction, call The Next Door at 615-249-3662.
