The Road to Hope

Book excerpt: Substance use disorder claims more than 175,000 lives every year in the United States, making it the third leading cause of death in this country. During the COVID-19 pandemic and since, the crisis has accelerated dramatically. Addiction isn’t just a physical and psychological illness; It’s a spiritual disease that requires a spiritual remedy. The Road to Hope addresses the deep need in our Church to respond to the addiction crisis. Author Keaton Douglas draws on her years of ministry in this field to educate and equip the body of Christ — clergy and laity alike — to understand and minister to our suffering brothers and sisters. Those struggling with addiction, or their loved ones, should be able to visit any Catholic parish and find someone to accompany them, through spiritual consolation and recovery resources. This book provides a comprehensive pastoral approach, demonstrating that we as a Church can’t ignore the crisis of addiction — in fact, we have a solution for it.