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Ministry aids in recovery from addiction

Faith based program growing in three county region

LEWISTOWN — For those struggling with an addiction or dependency issues, help is available through Life Recovery Ministry.

The free, faith-based program helps individuals in Perry, Juniata and Mifflin counties.

Diane Raudensky, who has a master’s degree in marriage and family therapy had a practice in Millerstown and moved to Thompsontown a couple of years ago to open up a new practice. Raudensky set out on a mission to put together a faith-based program to help those struggling with addiction and dependency issues.

Raudensky said when she started counseling in Thompsontown, she saw many people with substance abuse issues and other types of addictions. She tracked down the founders of the Life Recovery Bible, a 12-step recovery model created by David Stoop, Ph.D., and Stephen Arterburn, M.Ed. After completing some training and compiling a team of people with diverse backgrounds, including physicians, therapists and recovered addicts she launched the program.

“I just really want to help people, I want to see them heal and change,” she said.

Raudensky’s 12-member team is growing and more people are undergoing training. She is also reaching out to community leaders and others to make them aware this program is available to anyone.

Raudensky said when someone calls Life Recovery Ministry, she sets up a meeting with the individual and then assigns a coach, who typically meets with that person once or twice a week to begin the process of recovering.

“Coaches work hard to establish relationships,” Raudensky said.

Meetings are one-on-one and are typically held in various churches who have offered space to the program, but can be held just about anywhere.

“Life Recovery offers a piece to the package of overall recovery, it helps with the journey,” Raudensky said.

Raudensky said sometimes recovery can be bumpy, but the important thing is to “stick with it.”

Raudensky said the program is based on the Alcoholics Anonymous program and is designed to address any addiction including, drugs, alcohol, sex and food, just to name a few.

“Just about anything you can think of,” she added.

In addition, Life Recovery Ministry offers a family recovery group, for spouses and family members of addicts. The fully confidential support group is held twice a month.

Raudensky said for addicts, there tends to be a great deal of shame they carry with them and the people at Life Recovery Ministry want to help them heal.

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