Dr. Michael Belzman is the founder of the Association of Christian Alcohol & Drug Counselors (ACADC). An educator, counselor and pastor, he is also a speaker at congressional hearings warning law makers against making laws that exclude Faith-Based counselors from participation in the professional arena or infringe upon their religious freedom. ACADC is the only Christ-centered counselor certification organization authorized by any state government. ACADC Institute trains their students biblically so they can provide addiction counseling to Christians in need of the biblical rather than secular options. Few thought it possible that a Christ-centered certification board could exist in today's postmodern society, yet ACADC was written by the hand of God into the California Code of Regulations, opening a door that no man could close. From a background of teaching psychology at secular universities, and a false belief in human solutions to the problems of the soul, Dr. Belzman surrendered his life to Christ in 1980. By nurturing a personal relationship with Him through prayer and Bible study, he found that God's life principles and promises changed his life in a way that psychology or prescribed drugs could not do. He saw first-hand how God's power not only overcomes deep addiction, but can direct the decisions of kings. Dr. Belzman pastors ACADC Christian Fellowship founded on the notion that healing of the soul best takes place in the context of Christ-centered relationships bathed in prayer. He lives with his family in Calimesa, California and welcomes communication from anyone desiring to serve God by becoming a Christ-centered counselor. He and his staff of Christ-centered professionals may be contacted by email at [email protected], or by letter addressed to the Association of Christian Alcohol & Drug Counselors, attn: Mike Belzman, PO Box 8604, Redlands, CA 92375.

Does Christianity have an answer for addiction? As longtime pastor Mike Quarles’s alcoholism worsened over eight years, churches and Christians referred him to treatment, 12-Step programs, therapy...nothing worked. Steve McVey, also a pastor, repeatedly dished out the same advice Mike received, with similarly poor results... ...Until, in their frustration, God led them back to basic, addiction-breaking truths of His Word. The authors explain these for readers who want to help someone or who struggle themselves, because freedom from addiction is found only when Christians fully believe what God says about their identity move beyond the 12-Step concept of inescapable “addict identity” stop harboring unforgiveness, get radically right with God, and dwell in who they are in Christ, which excludes engaging in addictive behaviors as a lifestyle Material on codependency is included, as is information on implementing recovery/support groups for those leaving addiction and starting to live in God’s glorious freedom.

This highly practical resource integrates the powerful dynamics of family into residential treatment and outdoors-based therapy for young people. Recognizing both the family as the systemic base for promoting change in adolescents and the therapeutic potential of the residential/wilderness setting, experts show how aligning the two can enhance the healing value of the program while promoting higher standards for care. Chapters describe innovative, science-based interventions and techniques for treating common behavioral and emotional problems along a continuum of family involvement and separation, to address issues affecting the family as well as the identified patient. With its accessible ideas and compelling case studies, the book ably demonstrates the critical role of family in adolescent patients’ successful transition to post-treatment life. Among the topics covered: • A parallel process: home therapy while the adolescent or young adult is in residential care.• Intentional separation of families: increasing differentiation through wilderness therapy.• Emerging family therapy models utilized in residential settings.• Engaging families in Outdoor Behavioral Healthcare.• Research on coping skills used by youth with emotional and behavioral disorders.• Expanding our understanding of the place of family therapy in residential treatment. Family Therapy with Adolescents in Residential Treatment offers novel, exciting, and effective strategies and techniques for practitioners and mental health professionals particularly interested in family therapy with adolescents, and in related interventions and research.

The newest addition to the popular Quick-Reference Guide collection, The Quick-Reference Guide to Addictions and Recovery Counseling focuses on the widespread problem of addictions of all kinds. It is an A-Z guide for assisting pastors, professional counselors, and everyday believers to easily access a full array of information to aid them in formal and informal counseling situations. Each of the forty topics covered follows a helpful eight-part outline and identifies (1) typical symptoms and patterns, (2) definitions and key thoughts, (3) questions to ask, (4) directions for the conversation, (5) action steps, (6) biblical insights, (7) prayer starters, and (8) recommended resources.

This book was written to give the reader points to consider when dealing with substance abuse.

Many Christians are locked in a cycle of addiction, particularly in the areas of alcohol and drug abuse. Many have turned to 12-Step programs for help. But, where is the incredible power of Christ in this process? In a positive, non-condemning way, Anderson provides an alternative model of recovery for substance and alcohol abusers, a model that will also work for individuals struggling with other kinds of addictions. The first half of Freedom from Addictions tells the unbelievable story of Mike and Julia Quarles, and how Mike overcame a debilitating addiction to alcohol. He achieved success by applying the principles that make up the central theme of Dr. Anderson's message: that we are saints according to God's word (Eph 1) and that true freedom comes from realizing o ur identity in Christ.