“I appreciated everyone’s insight and honest comments. I thought many of the heartfelt conversations revealed a real need for open dialogue. I wonder how much of that would have occurred in a face-to-face meeting.”

—Rev. Bruce Frogge, pastor

Substance Abuse
and the Family:
Defining the Role of the Faith Community

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April 7-25, 2008
Facilitator: John Bell
12.0 contact hours

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"The benefits of engaging the faith community in both the prevention and treatment of substance abuse and dependence cannot be overstated."

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), an estimated 7.7 million persons aged 12 or older need treatment for an illicit drug problem and 18.6 million need treatment for an alcohol problem. Recognizing that clergy and other pastoral ministers have an array of opportunities to address problems of alcohol and drug dependence based on their positions, an expert panel on seminary education was convened by The Clergy Education and Training Project^sm in collaboration with the American Association of Pastoral Counselors, with support from SAMHSA. The panel recommended the development of a set of core competencies to address the basic knowledge and skills clergy need to help addicted individuals and their family members.

At the end of this seminar, participants should be able to apply to practical ministry situations their understanding of:

1. The neurological mechanisms and behavioral manifestations of alcohol and drug dependence.
2. The effects of alcohol and drugs on cognitive functioning.
3. The role alcohol or drugs may play in the life of an individual.
4. The various environmental harms posed by alcohol and drug dependencies to families, workplaces, and society as a whole.
5. The experience of alcohol and drug dependence; how alcohol or drug use affects the "inner world" of the individual using them, and how it can affect family members.

Registration: