Our Philosophy

Charlotte Rescue Mission accepts the American Medical Association’s definition of alcoholism as:

“… an illness that is characterized by significant impairment in the emotional, psychological, spiritual, physical and social areas that is directly associated with the persistent and excessive use of alcohol. Impairment may involve psychological or social dysfunction. Alcoholism also is manifested as a type of drug dependence of pathological extant and pattern, which ordinarily interferes seriously with the patient’s mental and physical health and his adaptation to his environment”

Concerning the spiritual implications of alcoholism, we believe that alcoholism takes root in alienation from God and the violation of conscience. We believe that God’s power can deliver individuals from the compulsion to drink, and set them free from the emotional, psychological, spiritual, physical, and social consequences of an alcoholic lifestyle.

Although an individual may be delivered from the compulsion to drink or drug (and is no longer a “drunkard” in the spiritual sense), Charlotte Rescue Mission recognizes that they are still an alcoholic or drug addict in the therapeutic sense. We believe the continued use of alcohol or other drugs results in changes in emotions, mind and body that do not disappear upon an alcoholic’s salvation. On a physiological level, they will always be “sensitized” to alcohol. Total abstinence, therefore, is a must; any use of alcohol can “activate” the chemical mechanisms of addiction leading to compulsive drinking and behavior. We believe the physical aspect of the disease of alcoholism will remain with the recovering alcoholic until they are glorified and receives their new body from the Lord.

We believe that professional counseling and therapy is necessary to help individuals to overcome the consequences of alcoholism and other drug addiction. We also recognize that alcoholism and other drug addictions are a “family illness” and believe that all of the members of the alcoholic’s family need to be a part of the recovery process by receiving specialized help. We accept the Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous as a reliable and orderly approach to recovery from alcoholism. We identify the higher power as the person and work of Jesus Christ. We also believe there are very specific scriptural principles that must be applied to such an individual to assist in a victorious and fruitful Christian walk.

Many of the attitudes, temptations, feelings, and patterns of thought resulting from the alcoholic’s lifestyle are not immediately removed upon an alcoholic’s rebirth. We believe these aspects constitute elements of “sinful nature” or “flesh” that individuals will struggle with as long as they remain in this world. Therefore, through a process of discipleship, individuals must “transform by the renewing of their mind” (Romans 12:2) and must learn to “walk in the Spirit that they might not fulfill the desires of the flesh” (Galatians 5:16).