Date
2-28-2025
Department
Helms School of Government
Degree
Doctor of Philosophy in Criminal Justice (PhD)
Chair
Sean Grier
Keywords
Jesus, Christ-centered, addiction, recovery
Disciplines
Christianity | Public Health
Recommended Citation
Matthews, Olivia M., "How Jesus Christ Saves the Addict: A Phenomenological Study on the Perceptions of a Christ-Centered Approach to Addiction Recovery" (2025). Doctoral Dissertations and Projects. 6528.
https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/doctoral/6528
Abstract
Reaching epidemic proportions, drug and alcohol addiction is a prevalent problem within the United States that demands urgent attention. With numbers exceeding 20 million Americans struggling with a substance use disorder (SUD) and over 111,000 individuals falling victim to illicit drug overdose fatalities in 2022, the question of effectiveness in rehabilitation outlets for this subgroup is of critical concern (Lashley, 2018; CDC, 2024). The purpose of this study is to analyze the perceptions of Christ-centered initiatives in securing sobriety among addicted individuals and/or substance use offenders. This study utilized qualitative methods with a phenomenological and narrative design to explore Christ-centered teachings in relation to the pathways of recovery. The sample consisted of voluntary drug and/or alcohol addicted participants within a Christ-centered addiction recovery ministry located in southwestern Pennsylvania. Data was collected through qualitative surveys where participants were asked open-ended questions regarding their addiction and recovery experience as it pertained to the influence a Christ-centered approach aided in their sobriety. The study stretched, deepened, and refreshed the literature by providing significant insight into how addicts experience and perceive Jesus Christ in recovery. The findings demonstrated that a Christ-centered addiction recovery program is not only “the best approach,” it also can lengthen sobriety and taper criminal recidivism. All in all, this research has the potential to alleviate the addicted, the criminal justice system, and society alike.
