Church offers 12-step addiction program

Cathlamet Christian Fellowship (CCF) church is offering a faith-based, 12-step program to help people handle a variety of addictions.

The program, called Celebrate Recovery, was started 17 years ago in an Anaheim, Calif., church, said Shane Skinner, local program leader. The CCF started offering the program a year ago. It meets on Fridays, starting with a 6 p.m. meal provided by the church. Then the participants have a large group education session and break into small groups to finish the evening.

Skinner said the program is based on the familiar 12-step models such as Alcoholics Anonymous, but it includes the teaching that Jesus Christ is a higher power.

"The program isn't drug and alcohol specific," he said. It targets all additions. including co-dependency, anger management, food addictions and sexual addictions."

A recovering addict himself, Skinner said the program, including commitment to Jesus, was the first that helped him turn his life around. He spent a year working in a California treatment center and studied to become a counselor. After serving a six-month internship, he joined the staff.