We are the sum total of our experiences. Those experiences — be they positive or negative — make us the person we are, at any given point in our lives. And, like a flowing river, those same experiences, and those yet to come, continue to influence and reshape the person we are, and the person we become. None of us are the same as we were yesterday, nor will be tomorrow.

— B.J. Neblett, American Author

Our scars are a testament to our existence, a reminder that we have truly lived. Yet, some wounds, when left untreated, can feel as though we are knocking on death’s door. In such moments, we seek quick fixes to mask what may in fact require deeper, more profound treatment. This is the vicious cycle of addiction. The missing piece that will help us to feel whole again might be hidden beneath the very thing we rely on to ease our pain and suffering.

All too often, we go through life as though everything is fine, while inwardly we are quietly hemorrhaging and slowly dying. But there is hope for healing! It may require us to return to our past, retrace our steps, and dig deep to uncover the root cause — the trauma that keeps us stuck.

At HopeQuest, we believe that behind every addiction is a story — a story that provides insight into the question, “Who am I?” Venturing into the darkest places of our hearts and confronting the painful truths we’ve buried or never even knew existed can seem like a daunting task. Healing is a journey that demands rigorous honesty and perseverance, and it’s not something we’re meant to face alone.

According to Emily Woodfin-Neal, Director of Admissions at HopeQuest, “Addiction treatment is trauma treatment. Addiction is always rooted in something deeper. The behaviors that eventually lead someone to seek treatment (e.g., alcohol, pornography, marijuana, gambling) are merely symptoms. Clinicians must be trauma-informed to help clients uncover and address the root causes driving these behaviors.”

Consider a garden where weeds persistently grow despite repeated trimming. Similarly, in our lives, destructive behaviors resurface unless their root cause is addressed. Try as we may to cease these behaviors on our own merit, they will continue to reappear until we confront their underlying roots. Ezekiel 36:26 speaks of God’s promise to replace a hardened heart with one that is filled with His Spirit. It suggests that lasting change is not something we achieve on our own. Instead, true transformation from the inside-out requires help from the Holy Spirit. This divine partnership is what turns a momentary change in behavior into a permanent change of heart.

While therapy and treatment are invaluable tools, they are most effective when combined with a profound spiritual transformation. Together, they allow us to confront and uproot deep-seated issues, creating space for lasting change. At HopeQuest, this holistic approach is at the heart of what we do. Our focus extends beyond addressing the symptoms; we strive for a complete heart-change in every client we serve.