Use Disorders & Recovery
Comprehensive, compassionate support for substance use and behavioral addictions using the HIA (Honor, Integrity, Authenticity) methodology developed by Dr. Micah Hale.
What is HIA?
The Foundation of Our Recovery Approach
Honor
Recognizing the significance, importance, validity, and sacredness of your values, thoughts, beliefs, and understandings.
Integrity
Trustworthiness and incorruptibility - being incapable of being false to a trust, responsibility, or pledge.
Authenticity
Honesty with yourself and others, taking responsibility, and aligning your values, ideals, and actions.
HIA is achieved through Mindfulness - taming your Animal with your Wisdom through Gratitude. This transforms your Fiend (negative control) into your Friend (positive control), allowing you to live in your highest vibrational state.
Areas We Support
Substance Use Disorders
Alcohol, drugs, medications, and prescription misuse
Behavioral Addictions
Process addictions and compulsive behaviors
HIA Educational Library
Essential HIA methodology resources by Dr. Micah Hale. These guides form the foundation of our holistic recovery approach.
HIA: Honor, Integrity, Authenticity
Opening the Door to Your Will
Taming Your Animal with Your Wisdom
Receptors and Training the Animal
Homeopathy for AUD
Your Spiritual Prescription
The Prayer of Freedom
by Beatty Carmichael
A powerful guide to spiritual freedom and recovery through prayer. Beatty Carmichael shares profound insights on breaking free from bondage through faith, surrender, and the transformative power of authentic prayer.
Excerpts from The Prayer of Freedom
“True freedom begins not when we escape our circumstances, but when we surrender our will to something greater than ourselves. The prayer of freedom is not a request to be released from difficulty, but a declaration that we choose to be transformed within it.”
— Chapter 1: The Nature of True Freedom
“Every addiction is ultimately a misdirected search for God. We seek in substances, behaviors, and relationships what can only be found in the Divine. Recovery begins when we redirect our seeking toward the One who can truly satisfy the deepest longings of our soul.”
— Chapter 3: The Spiritual Root of Addiction
“Authenticity is the gateway to healing. We cannot be free while we are still pretending. The prayer of freedom requires us to come before God exactly as we are—broken, desperate, and honestly acknowledging our complete inability to save ourselves. In this place of radical honesty, grace rushes in.”
— Chapter 5: Authenticity and Grace
“Gratitude is the antidote to addiction. When we cultivate a heart of thanksgiving, we shift our focus from what we lack to what we have been given. This simple practice rewires our brain, calms our nervous system, and opens the door to genuine transformation.”
— Chapter 7: The Power of Gratitude
“Freedom is not a destination but a daily practice. Each morning we must choose again to surrender, to trust, to release our grip on control. The prayer of freedom is not prayed once but lived continuously— a moment-by-moment returning to the Source of all healing.”
— Chapter 10: Daily Surrender
“Honor your journey—every struggle has shaped you. Maintain integrity—let your actions reflect your highest values. Live authentically—hide nothing from yourself, from others, or from God. When these three pillars are aligned with consistent prayer, freedom becomes not just possible but inevitable.”
— Chapter 12: The Three Pillars of Lasting Freedom
Seeking the full book? The Prayer of Freedom by Beatty Carmichael is available through major book retailers. These excerpts are shared to inspire your recovery journey and complement our HIA methodology approach.
Akathist to the Mother of God
“The Inexhaustible Cup”
This sacred Akathist hymn is a powerful Orthodox Christian prayer tradition specifically for those struggling with addiction. The “Inexhaustible Cup” icon of the Theotokos (Mother of God) is venerated for miracles of healing from alcoholism and other addictions. Through this prayerful hymn, Orthodox Christians seek the intercession of the Theotokos for strength, healing, and deliverance.
About This Prayer Tradition
The Icon's History
The “Inexhaustible Cup” icon appeared in 1878 at the Vladychny Monastery in Serpukhov, Russia. A peasant suffering from alcoholism was directed in a dream to venerate this icon, and upon doing so, received miraculous healing. Since then, countless individuals have found freedom through this devotion.
Spiritual Power of the Akathist
An Akathist is a hymn of praise sung while standing, consisting of 13 kontakia and 12 ikoi. This particular Akathist calls upon the Theotokos to intercede for those bound by addiction, asking her to pour out healing from her “inexhaustible cup” of grace and mercy.
Selected Verses from the Akathist:
“Rejoice, O Inexhaustible Cup, quenching our spiritual thirst! Rejoice, O fount of joy and gladness! Rejoice, O healer of those wounded by sin!”
“O Most Holy Theotokos, deliver us from bondage to passion and grant us the strength to resist temptation. Pour forth upon us from thine inexhaustible cup the grace of healing and renewal.”
“As a physician to the sick thou pourest out healing from thine inexhaustible cup. Grant us, O Lady, to drink of the cup of salvation and to be freed from the intoxication of sin.”
How to Pray the Akathist
- 1.Find a quiet place with an icon of the Theotokos (ideally the “Inexhaustible Cup” icon) and light a candle.
- 2.Begin with the usual prayers: “In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.”
- 3.Read the Akathist standing (if physically able) as a sign of reverence. It takes approximately 20-30 minutes.
- 4.Many find it helpful to pray this Akathist daily during recovery, or on specific days (traditionally Wednesdays and Fridays).
- 5.Conclude with personal prayers asking the Theotokos for her intercession in your specific struggles.
Orthodox Christian? Consider combining this Akathist with regular confession, participation in the Holy Mysteries (Sacraments), and guidance from your parish priest. The Church offers a complete framework for healing through Christ and the intercession of the saints.
Venerable Matt Talbot
Patron of Those Struggling with Alcoholism
Matt Talbot (1856-1925) was an Irish Catholic who overcame severe alcoholism through deep faith, prayer, and penance. After 16 years of heavy drinking, he experienced a profound conversion and lived the remaining 41 years of his life in sobriety through daily Mass, Confession, and prayer. He is now venerated as a model and intercessor for those battling addiction.
His Path to Freedom
The Turning Point
At age 28, penniless and abandoned by drinking companions, Matt stood outside a pub waiting for someone to buy him a drink. When no one did, he went home and told his mother, “I'm going to take the pledge.” He went to confession and began his new life.
His Spiritual Program
Matt attended daily Mass (often arriving hours early to pray), made frequent Confession, practiced rigorous fasting, read spiritual books, and devoted himself to works of charity. He learned that filling the void with God was the key to lasting sobriety.
Prayer for Those Struggling with Addiction
“Lord, in your servant Matt Talbot you have given us a wonderful example of triumph over addiction, of humility, and of lifelong devotion to prayer. May his life inspire those struggling with alcoholism or other addictions. Help us to trust fully in your providence and to live each day as Matt did—one day at a time, strengthened by the Eucharist, guided by the teachings of your Church, and always seeking your will. Through the intercession of your servant Matt, grant comfort to the afflicted, hope to the despairing, and perseverance to all who seek freedom from the chains of addiction. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.”
The Serenity Prayer (commonly used in Catholic recovery programs):
“God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference.”
Catholic Recovery Practices
- •Daily Mass & Eucharist: The source and summit of Catholic spiritual life, providing grace and strength.
- •Confession (Reconciliation): Regular confession provides accountability, forgiveness, and healing grace.
- •The Rosary: Meditating on the mysteries of Christ's life with Our Lady's intercession.
- •Calix Society: A Catholic fellowship for those in recovery, combining 12-step principles with Catholic spirituality.
- •Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament: Time in the presence of Christ for healing and transformation.
Catholic? Consider reaching out to your parish priest about the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick, which can be received by those struggling with addiction. The Church offers healing through the Sacraments and community support.
Ancient Healing Prayers
Coptic, Ethiopian, Armenian & Syriac Traditions
The Oriental Orthodox Churches—including the Coptic, Ethiopian, Armenian, Syriac, and Malankara traditions—preserve ancient Christian practices of healing prayer, fasting, and sacramental life that have supported believers through affliction for nearly two millennia. These traditions emphasize the transformative power of repentance, the Eucharist, and the intercession of saints.
Healing Traditions of the Oriental Churches
🇪🇬 Coptic Tradition
The Coptic Church preserves the Prayer of the Sick (Salat al-Mareed) and anointing with holy oil. Copts frequently seek healing through the intercession of St. Mary, St. Mark, and desert fathers who conquered passions through asceticism.
🇪🇹 Ethiopian Tradition
The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church emphasizes extended fasting (over 200 days per year), holy water (Tsebel) for healing, and prayers to St. Mary of Zion. The Psalms of David are particularly prayed for deliverance from affliction.
🇦🇲 Armenian Tradition
The Armenian Apostolic Church offers the Sacrament of Holy Unction (Blessing of the Sick) and prayers invoking St. Gregory the Illuminator. The Badarak (Divine Liturgy) is central to receiving Christ's healing presence.
🇸🇾 Syriac Tradition
The Syriac Orthodox Church preserves ancient healing prayers in Aramaic, the language of Christ. The Qurbono (Holy Eucharist) and prayers of St. Ephrem the Syrian are sources of spiritual healing and deliverance.
Ancient Prayers for Healing & Deliverance
Coptic Prayer for Healing
“O Lord Jesus Christ, the Good Physician of our souls and bodies, who didst heal every sickness and every infirmity among the people, look upon me, Thy sinful servant, and heal me from my afflictions. Grant me the grace to overcome all temptations and to walk in the way of Thy commandments. Through the prayers of the Holy Theotokos and all Thy saints. Amen.”
Ethiopian Prayer (Adapted from Psalms of David)
“Out of the depths I cry to You, O Lord! Lord, hear my voice. Let Your ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications. If You, Lord, should mark iniquities, who could stand? But there is forgiveness with You, that You may be feared. I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in His word I hope.”— Psalm 130 (Mazmur)
Prayer of St. Ephrem the Syrian
“O Lord and Master of my life, take from me the spirit of sloth, despair, lust for power, and idle talk. But grant unto me, Thy servant, a spirit of chastity, humility, patience, and love. Yea, O Lord and King, grant me to see my own faults and not to judge my brother. For blessed art Thou unto the ages of ages. Amen.”
Healing Practices of Oriental Orthodoxy
- •Extended Fasting: Fasting disciplines the body and strengthens the soul against temptation.
- •Holy Unction (Anointing): The sacrament of healing for body and soul, offered by the priest.
- •Confession & Eucharist: Regular confession and reception of the Holy Mysteries are essential for healing.
- •Holy Water (Tsebel/Mayroon): Blessed water is used for healing and protection in many traditions.
- •Pilgrimage: Visiting holy sites and monasteries for prayer, blessing, and spiritual renewal.
Oriental Orthodox? Reach out to your parish priest or bishop for guidance on the Sacrament of Holy Unction, confession, and spiritual direction. The ancient practices of your tradition offer a complete framework for healing through Christ.
Our Holistic Treatment Approach
Integrating HIA methodology with evidence-based practices
Mindfulness Training
Taming your Animal with Wisdom through gratitude practices that rewire your brain.
Physical Interventions
Exercise, sauna, cold therapy to naturally boost neurotransmitters and manage cravings.
Spiritual Practices
Faith-based practices, prayer, meditation aligned with your beliefs and traditions.
Natural Support
Homeopathic remedies, nutritional supplements (NAD+, Glutathione, Amino Acids).
Community Support
Emotional intimacy, support groups, peer connections, and professional guidance.
Harm Reduction
Meeting you where you are with compassionate, non-judgmental safety strategies.
Crisis Support - Available 24/7
If you're in crisis, help is available right now
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
988
24/7 free and confidential support
SAMHSA National Helpline
1-800-662-4357
Treatment referral and information service
Crisis Text Line
Text HOME to 741741
Free 24/7 crisis support via text