18 / 36
Shelly Pond
Good News
The nation is facing an opioid epidemic. In May, Governor Rick Scott
declared a public health crisis in Florida. Opioid overdoses claimed 582
lives in Broward in 2016, nearly two each day, which is higher than lives
claimed by car accidents or gunshots, according to Broward Sheriff Scott
Israel.
ACommunityActionTeam, comprisedof 45 to50 treatment providers,
doctors, community organizations and enforcement officials, is working
hard to find solutions. And in July, 82 drug dealers and traffickers were
arrested during a three-day crackdown in Broward to help curb opioid
abuse and the rise in related
deaths.
Unfortunately, at a time
when care is most needed,
unscrupulous Sober Homes
in Palm Beach and Broward
counties are being exposed for
engaging in insurance fraud and
patient brokering for financial
gain, causing some seeking
recovery to be exploited and
relapse.
All
this
can
make
overcoming opioid addiction
seem
daunting,
however,
you can get sober in South
Florida and several faith-based
addiction programs are pointing
the way.
J.C.’s Recovery Center
This battle takes more than
just the 12-step program, claims
SteveBoyarski, spiritual director
of J.C.’s Recovery Center.
“We practice a combination
approach with the Bible in
one hand and the 12 Steps in
the other. It’s not just clinical,
psychiatric or psychological,
but also the spiritual because
that God-sized hole we try to fill
with drugs, sex or alcohol needs to be filled with a spiritual relationship
with God.”
We believe that “if theSon sets you free, youwill be free indeed” (John
8:36), said Stevie B, as he’s more commonly known. “We have people now
working here who are three years sober... Myself, I was a horrific drug
addict. I had a higher power, but I didn’t have the Lord. I was already in
AA 15 years, but I was lost and relapsed into drugs and alcohol just a year
and a half after my wife and I married.Though we wereCatholics, my wife
brought me to Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale 16 years ago. The next
week I went back and gavemy life to the Lord and what He has done since
then is truly remarkable,” Stevie shared.
Agape AIM
Joseph Zappoli, development director for Agape AIM, agrees that
traditional treatment is a part of the solution, “but if they don’t find
God, they will eventually relapse.” After doing extensive research into
the recovery community in South Florida, Zappoli helped open Agape’s
Christian recovery program three months ago and has attracted a
seasoned team of professionals. “With most of our patients in the age
range of 18-30, we’ve develop things to keep themengaged,” saidZappoli.
In addition to traditional services, Agape offers a unique Rhythm 2
Recovery music therapy program that utilizes rap and other genres.
Their in-house recording studio
and production team provides
an outlet to retell their stories
through song. They also process
their recovery journey through
a creative writing therapy forum
titled “The Purple Book Diaries.”
And their innovative NeXgen
aftercare program is designed
to combat the ever-growing
relapse rate by offering education
on topics such as credit repair,
Financial Peace University, sales
and networking, and NLP (Neuro-
Linguistic Programming), which
has helped many overcome their
fears, increase their confidence,
and achieve greater success in
their personal and professional
lives and relationships.
Music
Therapy
Director,
Tony Ray, also known as the
recovery hip hop artist of Florida,
is changing lives one lyric at a
time. He says everyone has a
soundtrack to their addiction.
He can pinpoint someone who is
withdrawn and do a session with
him, similar to musical counseling
and prayer. “God blessed me with
a talent to give them their life
back in a quick 3-minute song. I
rearrange their mind and slip God
in. God renews the mind,” Ray
explained. “Putting the 12 steps and God’s word to music, a rap song or
rock, is less threatening and they are able to recondition the mind to a
new mindset and thought process that will spark the brain.”
His favorite verse is Jeremiah 29:11: “For I know the plans I have for
you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give
you a future and a hope” (NLT).
“A plan is better than an idea. You hope the bag is not the one with
fentanyl, but God knows the plan. Take the faith from the drug dealer and
put it in Him and then share what God did for you,” said Ray.
Can Opioid Addiction Be Overcome?
Faith-based Recovery Programs
Point the Way
Agape AIM staff pictured from left to right: Wilny Saint-Jean, behavioral health
technician; Tony Ray, musical therapy director; George Mavrookas, CEO; and
Yancey Taylor, producer, singer & vocal coach