LOS ANGELES, March 31, 2024 – In a world where many individuals battle with addiction, trauma, and life’s struggles, finding a supportive community can make all the difference. Programs like AA, NA, Dharma, and Celebrate Recovery offer hope and healing to thousands of people across the globe. According to an article published by ResearchGate, AA is widely embraced, effectively applied and persists over time. These 12-step programs are utilized globally and have demonstrated consistent effectiveness for sustaining long-term recovery. 

One meeting that incorporates these 12-step recovery principles is the Life Recovery Group at Freedom Church in Chatsworth, CA. This meeting meets every Friday night at 6:30 p.m. to help individuals struggling with addiction, trauma, and life’s struggles. 

Eric Westfall and his wife Tricia, helped start this meeting a year and a half ago, combining the 12 steps of AA and Celebrate Recovery to make a Life Recovery Group. 

This unique program provides a safe space for individuals to address their hurts, hang-ups, and habits through the lens of the Christian faith. Participants gather in weekly meetings to share their experiences, support one another, and work through a structured curriculum that guides them toward recovery and spiritual growth.

According to an article titled Groups and Substance Abuse Treatment in the National Library of Medicine, group therapy is a strong tool for treating substance abuse, often as effective as individual therapy, if not more so. Its effectiveness stems from various benefits, including reducing isolation and allowing members to see others’ recovery journeys, which creates a supportive environment.

Unlike traditional 12-step programs, Celebrate Recovery incorporates Biblical principles and teachings to help participants find strength and inspiration in their faith. Through worship, prayer, and fellowship, members are encouraged to surrender their struggles to a higher power and embrace a journey of transformation and renewal.

One of the key aspects of this group is its emphasis on community and accountability. Participants form strong bonds with each other, offering encouragement, empathy, and understanding as they navigate their recovery journey together. This sense of camaraderie fosters a supportive environment where individuals feel accepted and valued, free from judgment and stigma.

“What I’ve found is that being in a community, being connected with people, actually helped to remove my selfishness and self-centeredness. What I’ve found is that my strength is being around people who are sober and are doing it. Community is the absolute necessity for recovery. It is why it has a proven track record and why AA and Celebrate Recovery have such a great track record of helping people with hurts and hang-ups,” says Westfall. 

Like Celebrate Recovery, Freedom Church’s Life Recovery Group addresses a wide range of issues, including addiction, codependency, depression, anxiety, abuse, and more. By providing a holistic approach to healing that encompasses the mind, body, and spirit, the program equips individuals with the tools they need to break free from destructive patterns and live a life of purpose and fulfillment.

“We are going into this new season. We are planning to where the church will have three to five meetings every week,” says Westfall.

As this Life Recovery Group continues to grow and expand, its impact on individuals and their families is profound. Countless lives have been transformed, relationships restored, and hope renewed through this powerful program. For many, the 12-step program is not just a support group – it’s a lifeline, offering light in the midst of darkness and a path to a brighter tomorrow.

“I realized that I don’t need to be qualified to actually walk someone through what I’ve gone through. People that have come out the other side are able to then turn around and help those who are new to the program, whether that be anxiety, depression, loss, grief, and so on,” says Westfall.

Whether you’re struggling with addiction, trauma, or any other challenge, 12-step recovery meetings can stand as a beacon of hope, reminding us that healing is possible and that individuals are never alone on their journey toward wholeness.