Celebrate Recovery is a Christ-centered twelve-step recovery program that helps people struggling with addictive habits, behaviors, hurts and hang-ups. It was started in 1991 at Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, California and is now practiced in churches throughout the United States and around the world. Meetings are free and open to everyone and are based on eight recovery principles from the Beatitudes.
What Celebrate Recovery Is and Isn’t
Celebrate Recovery is a peer-led, non-clinical ministry that is incorporated within churches on a congregational level. It is not a type of therapy but rather a program run by those who have successfully gone through it. It is also broader in scope than many other twelve-step programs because it addresses any life-controlling issues, not just alcohol or drugs. The difference between Celebrate Recovery and other similar fellowships is that it names Jesus Christ – He is the Higher Power that people in other recovery programs may think of as God or a force of nature.
The Eight Recovery Principles
In the program’s own wording, the first letters of each principle spell out the word ‘recovery’, to help participants remember them. In summary, they are:
- Acknowledge personal powerlessness over whatever life controlling issue.
- Believe God can help us overcome.
- Invite Jesus to rule our lives.
- Take a personal inventory and admit our faults.
- Make amends for the wrongs we do.
- Practice forgiveness for the wrongs done to us.
- Spend time each day in prayer and reading scripture.
- Devote ourselves to helping others.
What to Expect at a Meeting
Most meetings are about two hours long and have two parts – corporate and small groups. In corporate time, everyone gathers for worship followed by either a lesson or a sharing by members. No one expects you to share or speak publicly if you are new.
After corporate time, attendees break into smaller groups. Usually, there are separate groups for men and women and for various issues, but you can determine what is appropriate for you as a newcomer. Each small group is led by a discussion leader and has guidelines – like speaking from the first person, avoiding cross-talk, and not giving unsolicited advice – and the option to pass when it is your turn to speak.
Celebrate Recovery Is a Support, Not a Clinical Program
Celebrate Recovery is a support program that fills in the gap between treatment and long-term recovery. The most crucial time to seek medical assistance is during withdrawal – when the body is already used to the substance. Stopping suddenly can be harmful, especially when it comes to opioids, while alcohol, benzodiazepine, and barbiturate detox can be potentially lethal. It is always best to consult a medical professional or a medical detox facility.
The next stage is treating co-occurring mental health disorders like depression or PTSD. If left untreated, they can cause a relapse even if substance use is successfully managed. This is why many treatment facilities recommend a clinical program followed by a support group like Celebrate Recovery.
Christian Addiction Treatment at Covenant Hills
Covenant Hills Treatment Center in San Juan Capistrano has been offering Christ-centered addiction treatment for more than three decades. The faith-based addiction treatment facility has a Christian twelve-step recovery program as an option, but it also has a traditional rehab option for those who prefer it. Detox, inpatient, outpatient, and aftercare services are available. Individual and group counseling, cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, and spiritual counseling are used to support clients working toward lasting recovery. Find out more about the levels of care available.
In most cases, deciding on the right course of action, like beginning with residential rehab and stepping down to outpatient treatment, or starting with a support group like Celebrate Recovery, is best left to medical professionals. Contact Covenant Hills or call 800-662-2873 to find out what options are the most appropriate for your situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Celebrate Recovery a 12-step program?
Celebrate Recovery uses all twelve steps, modified to apply to any type of addiction, with scripture references, and additional eight recovery principles. Step one, which states that the problem is bigger than ourselves and we are unable to control it, is paired with Romans 7 when Paul talks about doing the things he does not want to do. Covenant Hills also has a detailed guide to understanding God and the twelve steps.
How is Celebrate Recovery different from AA?
AA leaves the definition of a higher power vague, whereas Celebrate Recovery clearly states that it is Jesus Christ, and unlike other similar programs, it addresses any life controlling issue, not just alcohol. Another difference is that AA has meetings almost everywhere and at various times during the week.
Who started Celebrate Recovery?
John and Cheryl Baker started Celebrate Recovery in 1991 as a ministry of Saddleback Church, with the backing of the church’s pastor, Rick Warren. The eight recovery principles are based on the Beatitudes.
Is Celebrate Recovery free?
All meetings are free. No one has to pay or be referred by a professional. Step studies have you buy the four participant guides, but most churches can help if money is an issue.
How long are the meetings, and are there sponsors?
Most meetings are about two hours, with some having meals before the event. Finding an accountability partner and a sponsor is recommended. You study the step guides on your own before discussing them in closed groups over about a year, with written assignments.
How can I find a Celebrate Recovery meeting in my area?
The best way to find a Celebrate Recovery meeting is to use the tool on their website, as they tend to change locations since they are held in churches. Other resources are often outdated.
