Her name was Misty. She was a young woman currently in the chemical-dependency treatment program of Home of Grace for Women. She had been into drugs since age 14. She explained that drugs were an escape from the misery of her home life, but soon discovered that "it was a direct line from the devil. My problem was so much bigger than me. The devil's line was simple, 'You don't deserve anything else.'" Shame and guilt were not able to give any strength for control over the drug problems. Even with a Christian background, Misty prayed that the Lord would take her life to deliver her from her addiction. When she looked for help, there were big dollar requirements for treatment or "no space." Doris Wood-Littleton's Home of Grace for Women was her last resort, and what a blessing it became. (Misty has completed eight weeks of its 12-week program.)
Doris Wood-Littleton, Executive Director of Home of Grace for Women, was accompanied by Misty, one of 66 women currently in the Christian residential program of Home of Grace, a ministry begun in Doris' home back in 1972. Located at 394 Aldock Road in Eight Mile, Home of Grace is an alcohol and drug treatment residential program running for 12 weeks at a time with over 11,000 women having completed the program since inception. The program has an "85 to 90% success rate" depending on how success is defined in overcoming addiction.
When the ministry began, there were no services for women with addiction, even though statistics suggested alcohol dependency in perhaps as much as one out of five women at that time. Today, the incidence rate of alcohol dependence suggests that two women are affected for every man with alcohol dependency. Users may begin using a variety of drugs even below 12 years of age at this point!
Addiction like this cannot be overcome by self-will. Home of Grace uses a modified "12 Step Program" adapted for a Christian focus "with a lot of chapel" thrown in. There are many women from Baldwin County that have dependency-related needs. One-third of Home of Grace's case load comes from Baldwin. And just like in Mobile County, there is a backlog of applicants for the program. Perhaps it is because of that 85 to 90% success rate unofficially, but it is really because of the impact of Jesus Christ on the heart of these women and the realization that the love of God can transform the damaged heart.
Some of the things involved in this comprehensive program may sound familiar. At the top of the list? "Chapel! Chapel! Chapel!" The Twelve Step Program is there. Churches come and minister. Other women reach out with support. There are addiction counselors. There is singing and cultivation of coping skills and special groups, e.g., "feelings groups" and "incest counseling groups." (70% of these women have an unfortunate history of incest problems.) Doris says, "Our 'graduate program' is one that counsels, 'Watch your play grounds, your play mates, and your play things!'" That would be good advice for any of us.
Doris and Misty brought the ministry of Home of Grace for Women to the Central Baldwin Ministerial Association in its November meeting at Silverhill's Zion Lutheran Church. Information concerning the Home of Grace for Women program can be obtained at 251 456-7807 from Doris. Brother John Schell of Summerdale's Harvest Church is the chair of the Ministerial Association and may have other specifics about Baldwin County and the Home of Grace ministry for women. He may be reached at 251 989-2228.
