Addictions & Recovery Ministry (ARM)

The Addictions and Recovery ministry has a two-fold purpose:Speaker Don Fridley

  • Promoting education, awareness, and prevention of addiction within PUC and the greater community.The addictions could be due to substance abuse and/or behavioral issues.
  • Providing a safe and supportive environment in which people whose lives have been damaged by addiction can heal and grow spiritually.  The person could be an addict in or out of recovery or the friend or family member of an addict.

The Ministry has an up-to-date resource center housed in the PUC Library and sponsors a variety of educational activities and support activities, including guest speaker lectures, small seminars, workshops, first responders, and discussion groups.  Planning meetings are the second Tuesday of every month at 7 PM in Shuder Library.

Recent Past Events:

Pleasure Unwoven DVD Showing by Dr. Kevin McCauley (flyer)

Pleasure UnwovenIs addiction a choice or a disease?

This most important question about addiction is discussed. Using the varied landscape of the Utah parks, the areas of the brain involved in addiction are described. McCauley turns complex neuroscientific concepts into easy-to-understand visual images that will help people seeking recovery feel understood, and their families and friends feel hope that recovery is possible.

There will also be a drawing for copies of the DVD and the Addictions Periodic Table.

Followed by a facilitated discussion by
Dr. Robert Bloomfield
Board Certified in Family Medicine, and the American Society of Addiction Medicine.

June 19, 2010
Addictions & Recovery Speaker Panel

Julie SullwoldAs part of the Speaker Series brought to you by Pacific Unitarian Church's Addictions & Recovery Ministry, Julie Sullwold spoke on Five Things You Can't Change can Help in Recovery and in Living Life Fully on January 23, 2010.

Sullwold shared how she blended "The Five Things" with The Twelve Steps on her journey to recovery. While working through the 12 Steps, Julie discovered David Richo's insightful book, The Five Things We Can't Change and The Happiness We Find by Embracing Them. Through it, she discovered that recovery was a transformative process, and the contemplation of a "higher power", her greatest 12 Step stumbling block, did not mean the loss of self.

"The Five Things" and Julie's talk was helpful for anyone, whether in recovery or not. This book is not a recovery book: it is a Life book.

Julie Sullwold is the founder of PUC's ARM, a founding member of PSWARM, a member of UUA Addictions Ministry, and a contributing author to an upcoming Skinner Houe book about UU's who offer honest and insightful reflection about sobriety, the 12 Steps, and their spiritual growth.

First Responders
Do you or a loved one have, or think you may have, a problem with an addiction? The First Responders group is here to support you. We are a group of people who have participated in various 12 step programs and have achieved success in the recovery process. We have experience with many of the different addictions issues you may be facing from substance abuse to food addictions to compulsive behaviors. If you would like to speak to someone who is caring, confidential, and non-judgemental, please feel free to contact any one of us. We are here to listen, support, and also refer people to programs that can help. First Responder contact cards are available in the resource center and at the ARM table on Sundays. You may also email addictions@pacificunitarian.org and ask for a First Responder.

Come and Join the 7/12 Connection!
The 7/12 Connection is a gathering of people who discuss and share life's issues. They incorporate the 7 Principles of Unitarian Universalism and the 12 step program for addictions, compulsions and obsessive behavior to promote greater understanding of the human condition. All those interested in learning more about how the 7 Principles and the 12 steps apply to everyday life are encouraged to join us. This group meets 2nd and 4th Saturdays 11 a.m. - 12 noon each month in Classroom 1.

For answers to questions or for more information, contact the Ministry directly at addictions@pacificunitarian.org or call (310) 562-9910. All contacts are kept strictly confidential.

Links to Support Groups and Resources

These links are provided as general information only and are not intended as a substitute for professional advice. Every effort is made to ensure that the information is accurate at the time of posting. Pacific Unitarian Church and the Addictions & Recovery Ministry are not responsible for and may not be in agreement with information provided by other websites that are linked to this site.