Faith Overcomes Addiction: How the Word of God Offers Hope and Healing
Understanding Addiction as a Disease
Addiction is a chronic disorder characterized by the compulsive use of substances, despite harmful consequences. It often begins with recreational drug use or as a result of a prescription, eventually leading to dependency. Over time, substance use alters the brain's reward system, creating a cycle that's difficult to break without help.
Experts agree that addiction should be treated as a disease, not a moral failure. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), factors such as genetics, mental health conditions, environment, and early exposure to substance use can all increase the risk of developing addiction.
Signs and Impact of Drug Dependency
The effects of addiction extend far beyond physical health. Individuals battling substance abuse may experience withdrawal symptoms like anxiety, depression, nausea, or restlessness when not using. Addiction can also lead to social isolation, job loss, family conflict, and a decline in mental well-being.
Common signs include: Obsessive thoughts or behavior related to substance use
Neglect of personal responsibilities and relationships
Increased tolerance and dependence on the substance
Emotional instability or changes in personality
Despite the severity of the condition, many believe that lasting recovery is possible through a combination of medical support, community, and spiritual intervention.
The Role of Faith in Recovery
While science offers effective treatments, countless stories point to the incredible role faith plays in healing. Spiritual beliefs often provide people with the strength, purpose, and resilience they need to overcome even the darkest moments of addiction.
One powerful passage that resonates with many seeking recoveries is:
'Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and He saved them from their distress. He brought them out of the utter darkness and broke away their chains.' – Psalm 107:13–14
This message lies at the heart of the God Word Heals Addiction YouTube channel. By sharing scripture-based encouragement, personal testimonies, and biblical insights, the platform serves as a beacon of light for those feeling hopeless or forgotten.
Breaking the Myths About Addiction
One of the most damaging myths surrounding addiction is that it's a personal failure or simply a matter of willpower. This belief often leads to shame and discourages people from seeking help. In reality, addiction is a complex condition influenced by multiple factors—and recovery is not just possible, it's within reach.
Another common misconception is that faith and medicine cannot work hand-in-hand. In truth, many successful recovery journeys involve both. Medical treatment can address the physical and psychological aspects of addiction, while faith strengthens the soul, renews the mind, and helps restore purpose.
A Message of Hope
For those who are currently battling addiction or have loved ones who are, this message serves as a reminder: you are not alone, and healing is possible. The road to recovery may be challenging, but with faith, community, and perseverance, freedom is attainable.
The God Word Heals Addiction channel invites anyone in need of encouragement to explore its content. It is more than a resource; it's a place of spiritual refuge and a voice of hope for the broken.
To learn more, visit God Word Heals Addiction YouTube Channel.
About the Channel:
God Word Heals Addiction is a faith-based YouTube platform dedicated to helping individuals overcome addiction through biblical teachings and spiritual support. The channel promotes hope, healing, and transformation for those seeking freedom from addiction.
TIME BUSINESS NEWS
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business Wire
6 hours ago
- Business Wire
Akyso Therapeutics Expands Pipeline with New NIH Grant for Buprenorphine Implant Following Successful Phase 1a Trial of Naltrexone Implant
SALISBURY, Md.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Akyso Therapeutics, a privately held biotechnology company developing long-acting subcutaneous drug delivery systems, today announced two major milestones: (1) the successful completion of its first-in-human Phase 1a clinical trial of iSTEP-N®, a bioabsorbable extended-release naltrexone implant for opioid use disorder (OUD) engineered to delivery naltrexone for 12 months following a single, simple, in office treatment, and (2) the receipt of $15 million in federal funding from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) to develop a parallel12 month buprenorphine-based implant (iSTEP-B®) for OUD. The iSTEP products represent disruptive ultra long acting formulations of both naltrexone and buprenorphine and with them Akyso Therapeutics is poised to capture a large portion of the $3B OUD treatment market in the US. Share Key Highlights: Phase 1a trial demonstrated that the iSTEP-N® implant was well-tolerated with no serious adverse events or implant-related complications. Sustained therapeutic plasma levels of naltrexone were observed for three months following a single implant. Residual Naltrexone content of the implant after 3-months suggests potential for 12-month efficacy. The iSTEP® platform utilizes a proprietary, fully bioabsorbable polymer system that does not require surgical removal. A Phase 1b study in patients with OUD is planned for early 2026 and will include a comparison to Vivitrol®. $15 million NIDA grant awarded for the development of a 6-12-month extended-release buprenorphine implant, iSTEP-B®. 'We are thrilled to share not only the success of our Phase 1a iSTEP-N® trial, but also the launch of our buprenorphine implant program with support from NIDA,' said Steven Cohen, MD, FACS, co-founder and co-CEO of Akyso Therapeutics. 'This expanded funding and validation from the NIH will allow us to pursue our dual-track approach to transforming OUD treatment with both naltrexone and buprenorphine.' Naltrexone and buprenorphine formulations represent over 90 percent of treatment options for OUD in the United States. The iSTEP products represent disruptive ultra long acting formulations of both naltrexone and buprenorphine and with them Akyso Therapeutics is poised to capture a large portion of the $3B OUD treatment market in the US. The new buprenorphine implant project builds directly upon Akyso's iSTEP® platform. iSTEP-B® will use the same bioabsorbable, subcutaneous delivery system as iSTEP-N®, with the goal of delivering therapeutic buprenorphine levels continuously for more than six months. The company plans to follow a similar clinical development pathway, including formulation, CMC analytics, GLP toxicology, and human trials. 'Our goal is to offer patients long-acting, discreet treatments that reduce relapse risk during the most vulnerable stages of recovery,' said Jeffrey Benner, MD, co-founder and co-CEO. 'With iSTEP-N® entering patient trials and iSTEP-B® now funded for development, we are well-positioned to provide scalable, very long acting, implantable therapies for both opioid and alcohol use disorders.' Akyso's iSTEP-N® program is supported in part by NIDA (UH3DA048338). A description of the Phase 1a trial is available on under the identifier NCT06053197. The new iSTEP-B® buprenorphine program is supported by a separate $15 million federal grant (2025–2029). For more information on Akyso Therapeutics or partnership opportunities, please contact:
Medscape
16 hours ago
- Medscape
Surge in Deaths Involving Co-Use of Stimulants Plus Opioids
TOPLINE: Drug-related deaths involving co-use of stimulants and opioids has surged in the US and Canada, with a higher annual rise in drug-related mortality than use of opioids or stimulants alone, a new study showed. Researchers said the findings point to a 'silent epidemic' that warrant action by policymakers to increase awareness. METHODOLOGY: US data regarding opioid and stimulant overdose-related trends for unintentional and intentional deaths from 1999 to 2021 were collected from the National Institute on Drug Abuse. Canadian data on opioid (2016-2022) and stimulant (2018-2022) overdose-related trends for unintentional and intentional deaths were obtained from the Public Health Agency of Canada and Alberta Substance Use Surveillance System. Google Trends relative search interest (RSI) was used to measure public interest over time (2004-present) for search terms related to opioids and psychostimulants. Opioid- and stimulant-related death trends and the potential relationship between RSI and drug-related deaths were evaluated. TAKEAWAY: Deaths involving the use of both opioids and stimulants surged in the US, with the annual percent change (APC) increasing from 10.03 for 1999-2006 to 31.99 for 2013-2021. The APC for co-use deaths in Canada for 2018-2022 was 21.38. In the US, deaths related to opioid use alone increased in the US from an APC of 11.07 for 1999-2006 to 26.05 for 2019-2021, while deaths related to stimulant use alone rose from 11.65 for 1999-2006 to 26.24 for 2013-2021. In Canada, the APCs were 17.60 for opioid-related deaths for 2016-2022 and 18.24 for stimulant-related deaths for 2018-2022. Google search trends did not correlate with the APCs as opioids had a higher overall RSI vs stimulants. The highest peak of opioid-related search interest occurred in 2016 in the US and 2015 in Canada, while cocaine-related searches peaked in 2004 and 2005, respectively. IN PRACTICE: 'There is a need for increased awareness and understanding of the evolving nature of the opioid crisis and the deleterious effects of stimulant co-involvement, especially among the general population,' the investigators wrote. 'These findings are a call to action for public health policymakers to develop strategies for addressing both opioid and stimulant use epidemics simultaneously,' they added. SOURCE: The study was led by Yutong Li, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada. It was published online on July 16 in PLOS Mental Health. LIMITATIONS: Key limitations included insufficient data from Canada because collection only started in 2016, not accounting for substance use beyond opioid and stimulant co-involvement and potential discrepancies between recorded data and actual substance use, which may have led to underestimation of prevalence and overdose incidents. Regional variations in substance use trends and reporting inconsistency were not fully accounted for in national-level data. Additionally, the continuously evolving landscape of substance use, with new synthetic drugs and contaminants, may not have been adequately captured in surveillance data. DISCLOSURES: The study was funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Alberta Innovates, Canada Research Chairs program, Institute for Advancements in Mental Health, Mental Health Foundation, Mental Health Research Canada, MITACS Accelerate program, Simon & Martina Sochatsky Fund for Mental Health, Howard Berger Memorial Schizophrenia Research Fund, Abraham & Freda Berger Memorial Endowment Fund, Alberta Synergies in Alzheimer's and Related Disorders program, the University Hospital Foundation, and the University of Alberta. The investigators reported having no relevant conflicts of interest. This article was created using several editorial tools, including AI, as part of the process. Human editors reviewed this content before publication.
New York Post
4 days ago
- New York Post
Introducing Skincare+ on Amazon: Shop derm-approved brands in one place
New York Post may be compensated and/or receive an affiliate commission if you click or buy through our links. Featured pricing is subject to change. I've been knee-deep in skincare for years now: testing beauty products, digging into ingredient lists like I'm studying for finals and talking with dermatologists any chance I get. It started as curiosity and turned into a full-on obsession. I've tried the buzzy stuff, the clinical stuff and everything in between. And after all that, I can confidently say: finding the right skincare routine takes work. So, when I stumbled across Amazon's new Skincare+ feature, I was honestly impressed. It actually makes things easier — and smarter — for anyone trying to figure out what works for their face. Let me break it down: Skincare+ is kind of like Amazon's skincare brainchild. It's part quiz, part personalized shop and part dermatologist-approved product lineup. You answer a few quick questions about your skin: the breakdown of your skin type, what you're dealing with (acne, dryness, sensitivity, whatever) and what you want from your routine. Then, Amazon gives you customized suggestions that aren't just based on what's trending, but what *actually* makes sense for your skin. Advertisement It's a small thing, but honestly? That quiz is gold. I've spent hours over the years scrolling through skincare Reddit, beauty blogs, YouTube videos and ingredient masterclasses trying to figure out what to use next. This takes, like, two minutes and doesn't feel like a gimmick. It points you toward products from brands that derms actually recommend (think: CeraVe, La Roche-Posay, Bioderma and more). Not influencer picks with sparkly packaging. Actual solid skincare. Here's a breakdown of what Skincare+ recommended for my combination, sensitive and fair skin — focusing on reducing pore size and upping hydration levels: I've tried most of these products and I can attest that these recommendations are certainly expert-driven, tested and effective for my skin concerns. I've raved about the medicube Pore Pads (seriously, it's a Korean beauty essential you need), and have used the CeraVe cleanser more times than I can count. Plus, you can't beat a good exfoliant in your routine, especially when brands Anua and The Ordinary are tossed into the mix. And let's talk about that Derma Store. This part of the Skincare+ setup is super curated, full of products that dermatologists actually back — not only the drugstore basics (though those are great), but also science-forward picks from brands like ISDIN, RoC and The Ordinary. You can tell it's built for people who want results without needing to decode a 15-step routine or get a degree in cosmetic chemistry. Some of the questions the Skincare+ quiz asked, straight from the Amazon app. Amazon Better yet, you'll also have access to Amazon One Medical healthcare professionals. Consider it your convenient FaceTime call with your derm. What I really appreciate as someone who's tried so many products is how much time this whole setup saves. I used to spend days comparing formulas and reading every single review like my life depended on it. With Skincare+, it feels like you've got your own mini skin consultant on standby, but without the pressure or the price tag of an in-person visit. One thing I've learned from dermatologists is that 'personalized' isn't just a buzzword; it actually matters. Your skin's needs change based on your environment, your age, even your stress levels. What's cool about this Amazon tool is that it doesn't just lump you into 'dry' or 'oily' skin categories. It asks real questions, gives targeted recommendations and helps you build a routine that actually makes sense. It's not trying to sell you ten serums you'll never use. Now, full transparency: I still double-check everything. I patch test. I read the fine print on ingredients. But nine times out of ten, the stuff Skincare+ recommends matches what I'd pick out after a full-on chat with a derm. And if you're someone who's just starting your skincare journey? This is an amazing launchpad. You won't waste your money or your face. There's also peace of mind in knowing the products are legit. Amazon's had a bit of a rep in the past for third-party sellers, but the Skincare+ and Derma Store setup directs you to official listings. So you're way less likely to accidentally buy some sketchy knockoff of your favorite SPF. For me, this whole Skincare+ thing is the kind of innovation I wish had existed when I was first starting out. It doesn't replace dermatologists or your own research, but it bridges the gap for people who want smarter skincare without the hassle. And even if you are a seasoned beauty nerd, it still saves time and helps you discover new stuff without the stress. At the end of the day, skincare should feel like self-care — not a second job. Skincare+ makes it feel a little easier, a little more personalized and a lot more doable. Whether you're dealing with breakouts, sensitivity, aging, or just overwhelmed by options, this tool gets it. And for me? That's the kind of beauty innovation that actually sticks. This article was written by Victoria Giardina, New York Post Commerce Journalist & Content Strategist, who has spent countless hours researching, testing hundreds of products and comparing the latest makeup, skincare, hair and beauty items and trends to determine what's truly worth your hard-earned cash. She evaluates formulas, textures, ingredients and more, in addition to consulting medical and industry experts. Some of Victoria's latest conquests include testing the best vitamin C serums on the market, and a rinse-and-repeat review of the best shampoos of 2025. Victoria, who received a beauty industry essentials certification from the Fashion Institute of Technology, has been creating shopping guides for the New York Post since 2021 and previously held positions at Insider Reviews and CNN Underscored.
