Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is the oldest community-based response and support to people struggling with addiction. In 1935 Bill Wilson and Dr. Bob Smith, with the support of two Episcopal priests, the Rev. Sam Shoemaker and the Rev. Walter Tunks, gave impetus to the formation of AA. The program’s 12 Steps reflect a spiritual foundation. They have influenced spiritual-based recovery programs, not only for alcoholics but for individuals struggling with various mental, substance-use and behavior disorders, as well as their family and friends.

The Episcopal Church at its 2015 General Convention acknowledged that our church culture avoids conversations about alcohol use, but, in fact, the church needs to address it.  In the Spring of 2016, the Diocese of Maryland updated the Diocese of Maryland Alcohol Use Guidelines.

 

Recovery meetings held at the Church of the Redeemer

Tuesdays

Co-Dependents Anonymous (CoDA) – 7:30 pm

Wednesdays

AA (Baltimore City Men’s meeting) – 7:00 pm

Survivors of Suicide (SOS) – 7:30 pm on 2nd  & 4th Wednesdays

MA- 8:00 pm

Thursdays

Alanon –  12 noon
AA  – 7:30 pm
OA – 8:00 pm

Fridays

NA – 8:00 pm
SAA – 8:00 pm

Resources

Support:

Al-Anon & Alateen – Baltimore area
Alcoholics Anonymous – Baltimore area
Co-Dependents Anonymous
Debtors Anonymous – Baltimore Area
Gamblers Anonymous – Baltimore area
Narcotics Anonymous – Baltimore area
On-Line Gamers Anonymous
Overeaters Anonymous – Baltimore area
Sex Addicts Anonymous
Survivors of Suicide – Baltimore Area

Education:

Recovery Ministries of the Episcopal Church publications
The Church and Mental Health: Re-imagining Health Collaborative
American Society of Addiction Medicine
Neurobiology of Addiction
Understanding Co-Dependency

Books:

Addiction: Pastoral Responses, Bucky Dan
Addiction and Grace, Gerald May
The Addictive Organization, by Anne Wilson Schaef and Diane Fassel
Breathing Under Water: Spirituality and the Twelve Steps, Richard Rohr
Depending on the Grace of God: A Spiritual Journey through the Twelve Steps, by Nancy Van Dyke Platt and Chilton Knudsen
So You Think you Don’t Know One: Addiction and Recovery in Clergy and Congregations,  Nancy Van Dyke Platt and Chilton Knudsen
Thirst: God and the Alcoholic Experience, James B. Nelson
The Spirituality of Imperfection: Storytelling and the Search for Meaning, Ernest Kurtz

Intervention and Treatment:

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) national help line: 1-800-662-HELP (4357) : SAMHSA Find Help

Alternative Drug and Alcohol Counseling
Porto treatment Center
Epoch Counseling Center
Ashley Addiction Treatment
Pathways – Annapolis
Kolmac Clinic Baltimore/Towson/Columbia
Tuerk House Recovery Treatment, Baltimore

Agencies:

National Alliance on Mental Illness
National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence
National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence of Maryland
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
National Institute on Drug Abuse
National Institute on Mental Health
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

 

The Addiction and Recovery Ministries of the Episcopal Diocese of Maryland has provided much of the material on this page.