USA (MNN) — According to the National Institute of Health, methamphetamine poses a more significant threat to U.S. communities than opioids.
In 2019, the most recent year with reliable data regarding meth use, Pew researchers found that methamphetamine use, overdose deaths, and arrests soared over a four-year span. Arrests for meth possession increased by 59 percent, while the number of people with a meth-related substance use disorder (SUD) jumped 37 percent.
Common symptoms of meth use include “the inability to sleep; psychotic behavior, aggression, scratching at your skin, teeth problems, paranoia, and mood swings,” The Lighthouse’s Brandon Bower says.
“Meth is a destructive drug, and we want to help people break the cycle of destruction in their life.”
The Lighthouse takes a biblical approach to addiction recovery. More about that here. Many men come to The Lighthouse when other addiction recovery programs fail to help.
“A lot of those places don’t address deep issues that are causing the drug and alcohol use,” Bower explains.
When one of your residents is from Florida and has never seen snow…you build a snowman!
(Photo, caption courtesy of The Lighthouse)
One man sought help for his alcohol addiction from 20 programs before finding freedom through Christ at The Lighthouse.
“As soon as we started talking about forgiveness and God’s plan for pain, he looked up and said, ‘You know what, I don’t need to drink anymore. I have now forgiven my abusers,’” Bower says.
“Today, he’s three or four years sober. That’s the power behind the biblical approach, rather than just changing our behaviors.”
If someone you love struggles with addiction, The Lighthouse offers a healthy way out. Connect with The Lighthouse here.
“We have a spot on our website where they can submit a prayer request, ask a question, or if they’re interested in our addiction programming, they can send an application,” Bower says.
“Even though we’re located in Indiana, we serve the worldwide population. Men from many states and other countries are being helped at The Lighthouse. So, just because we are in rural Indiana doesn’t mean that we can’t help someone you love who’s struggling with addiction.”
Even if you’re overwhelmed by your loved one’s addiction, and you don’t know what the next steps should be, try reaching out to The Lighthouse.
“If someone doesn’t understand the next steps, we’d be happy to chat with them,” Bower says. “We can help them make those plans and connect with people who can help them in their community.”
Header image is a representative stock photo courtesy of Salvio Bhering/Pexels.
