Or they may honestly believe that their own congregation is immune, that religious practice prevents alcoholism. Pastoral counseling initiated by a family with a troubled teenager or a marriage in trouble often reveals a problem with alcohol or other drugs. The wise and experienced counselor will know how to get to the root of the matter, so that useful help becomes possible. Premarital counseling should always include information about the possibilities of addiction to substances, and what early problems should not be ignored or denied. Clergy and faith community-related family services need to understand that many couples are entering marriages with COA impairment.
Addiction negatively affects and can destroy the spiritual life of a family.
The support of a nurturing church community can intervene and then support the process of recovery. There is nothing that clergy do that is MORE crucial, since alcohol and drug abuse is the largest single threat our country faces, and is an important factor in divorce, child abuse and other violence, as well as premature death. The Episcopal Diocese of Washington, DC has an alcohol intervention team. Adult male church members act as positive role models. These boys have shown improvement in academic performance and behavior.