🧪 Case Study 4.3: “I Know I’m Going to Use Tonight”

🧪 Case Study 4.3: “I Know I’m Going to Use Tonight”

Scenario

Marcus is a 34-year-old man who has been sober from opioids for seven months. He attends a church-based recovery group on Thursday nights and also attends a community recovery meeting twice a week. He has a sponsor, but lately he has been avoiding calls.

After a recovery group meeting, Marcus walks up to the Addiction Recovery Chaplain and says quietly:

“I need to tell someone. I know I’m going to use tonight.”

The chaplain notices that Marcus looks tired, restless, and ashamed. He says his girlfriend broke up with him earlier that day. He has not eaten much. He has cash in his pocket. He says he knows where he could get pills. Then he adds:

“Please don’t make a big deal out of this. I just needed to say it out loud. Don’t tell anyone. I’ll be fine.”

The chaplain now faces a serious ministry moment. This is not only a conversation about temptation. It may involve relapse risk, overdose danger, secrecy, emotional crisis, and a need for immediate support.

Topic 4 focuses on the addiction cycle, triggers, cravings, secrecy, shame, and helping someone name the next right step without taking control of the person’s recovery.

Analysis

Marcus is already inside the addiction cycle.

The visible behavior has not happened yet, but the cycle is active:

• Trigger: breakup with girlfriend

• Internal state: loneliness, rejection, shame, hunger, fatigue

• Access: cash in pocket and knowledge of where to get pills

• Craving: “I know I’m going to use tonight”

• Secrecy: “Don’t tell anyone”

• Avoidance: not calling sponsor

• Danger: opioid relapse after seven months of sobriety may carry overdose risk

The chaplain must take Marcus seriously. This is not the time for a lecture. It is also not the time for a vague encouragement like, “Just pray about it.” Marcus needs calm, practical, recovery-aware spiritual care.

The chaplain must not become Marcus’s sponsor, treatment provider, emergency responder, therapist, or recovery manager. But the chaplain can help Marcus move toward safety, truth, support, and the next faithful step.

Goals

The chaplain should aim to:

1. Stay calm and present.

2. Thank Marcus for telling the truth before using.

3. Assess immediate safety.

4. Refuse false secrecy if safety is at risk.

5. Encourage Marcus to contact his sponsor or recovery support immediately.

6. Help Marcus reduce access to relapse danger.

7. Offer prayer by permission.

8. Keep the conversation grounded in one next right step.

9. Involve appropriate recovery, church, or emergency support when needed.

10. Avoid taking over Marcus’s recovery.

Poor Response

A poor response would sound like this:

“Marcus, you should know better. You have seven months sober. If you really loved God, you would not be thinking this way. Just go home, pray, and make better choices.”

This response is harmful because it adds shame, minimizes risk, and sends Marcus away alone while he has cash, access, emotional pain, and strong craving.

Another poor response would be:

“I promise I won’t tell anyone. You can call me all night, and I’ll come pick you up if you need me.”

This response may sound caring, but it can become unsafe. The chaplain is now becoming Marcus’s secret crisis manager. The chaplain may unintentionally replace Marcus’s sponsor, recovery plan, and broader support system.

A third poor response would be:

“Give me your cash, give me your phone, and I’ll decide what you do next.”

This is controlling. The chaplain can encourage wise choices, but should not take over Marcus’s agency unless there is an immediate safety protocol requiring emergency action.

Wise Response

A wise chaplain might say:

“Marcus, thank you for telling the truth before using. That matters. I’m taking this seriously because your life matters. I can’t promise secrecy if your safety is at risk, but I will not shame you. Let’s slow this down. Are you in immediate danger right now? Have you used anything today? Are you thinking about harming yourself?”

This response does several things well:

• It honors Marcus’s honesty.

• It avoids shame.

• It refuses unsafe secrecy.

• It asks safety questions.

• It keeps the moment practical.

• It helps Marcus come out of hiding.

Then the chaplain might continue:

“Who is the first recovery support person you need to call right now—your sponsor, group leader, or someone else from your recovery circle?”

This moves Marcus toward the support system already connected to his recovery.

Stronger Conversation

Marcus: “I know I’m going to use tonight.”

Chaplain: “Thank you for saying that before it happened. That is a courageous truth-telling step. I’m taking it seriously because your life matters.”

Marcus: “Don’t tell anyone. I’ll be fine.”

Chaplain: “I care about your privacy, but I cannot promise secrecy if your safety is at risk. I will not shame you, but I also will not help you stay alone with this.”

Marcus: “I just had a bad day. My girlfriend left. I have cash. I know where to get pills.”

Chaplain: “That is a dangerous combination: pain, access, cash, and being alone. Have you used anything today?”

Marcus: “No.”

Chaplain: “Are you thinking about harming yourself, or are you afraid you might overdose if you use?”

Marcus: “I’m not trying to die. I just want the pain to stop.”

Chaplain: “I hear that. The pain is real, but using tonight could put your life in danger. What is the next faithful step in the next ten minutes?”

Marcus: “I don’t know.”

Chaplain: “Let’s make it simple. Will you call your sponsor right now while I stand nearby?”

Marcus: “I’ve been avoiding him.”

Chaplain: “That makes sense with shame, but secrecy is part of the cycle. Calling him now is a way back into the light.”

Marcus: “Can you pray first?”

Chaplain: “Yes. I’ll pray briefly, and then we’ll make the call.”

Prayer:
“Lord Jesus, meet Marcus in this moment. Bring truth into the light. Give him courage for the next right step. Protect his life tonight. Help him reach for the support You have placed around him. Amen.”

Chaplain: “Now let’s call your sponsor.”

Boundary Reminders

The chaplain should remember:

• Marcus’s warning must be taken seriously.

• The chaplain should not promise secrecy.

• The chaplain should not shame Marcus for craving.

• The chaplain should not become Marcus’s sponsor.

• The chaplain should not offer unsafe transportation without accountability and policy guidance.

• The chaplain should not take control of Marcus’s money or phone unless there is a clear, accountable ministry protocol.

• The chaplain should not remain the only person who knows Marcus is at risk.

• The chaplain should not send Marcus away alone if serious risk remains.

• The chaplain should follow church, recovery group, and emergency safety protocols.

• If overdose risk, suicidal intent, severe intoxication, unsafe driving, or danger to others emerges, escalation is required.

Do’s

The chaplain should:

• Thank Marcus for telling the truth.

• Stay calm and direct.

• Ask about immediate danger.

• Ask whether he has already used.

• Ask about suicidal thoughts or self-harm.

• Ask whether he is alone or has access to pills.

• Encourage him to call his sponsor or recovery support immediately.

• Offer prayer by permission.

• Use short, clear phrases.

• Help him identify the next right step.

• Involve appropriate leaders or emergency support when safety requires it.

• Preserve dignity while refusing secrecy that could endanger life.

Don’ts

The chaplain should not:

• Say, “You should know better.”

• Tell Marcus to go home and simply pray.

• Promise absolute confidentiality.

• Treat craving as proof of spiritual failure.

• Become his private crisis manager.

• Give money, secret rides, or private access.

• Ignore overdose risk.

• Minimize opioid relapse danger.

• Replace his sponsor or recovery plan.

• Let him leave alone if serious danger remains.

• Turn the conversation into a sermon.

• Shame him for admitting temptation.

Sample Phrases

When someone says, “I know I’m going to use tonight”:

“Thank you for telling the truth before it happened. That gives us a chance to move toward help.”

When someone says, “Don’t tell anyone”:

“I care about your privacy, but I cannot promise secrecy if your safety is at risk.”

When someone is ashamed:

“Shame wants you alone. Recovery begins by coming back into the light.”

When someone wants the chaplain to replace recovery support:

“I care about you, but I do not want to replace the support you already need. Let’s contact your sponsor now.”

When someone is overwhelmed:

“Let’s not solve your whole life tonight. What is the next faithful step in the next ten minutes?”

When prayer is requested:

“Yes, I can pray with you. After we pray, let’s contact the person who needs to know tonight.”

Ministry Sciences Reflection

Marcus’s crisis includes several interacting realities. His breakup triggered emotional pain. Hunger and fatigue likely weakened his resilience. Cash and access increased danger. Shame pushed secrecy. Avoiding his sponsor removed support. The craving narrowed his vision until using felt almost inevitable.

A chaplain who only says, “Do not use,” misses the layered reality. A chaplain who only says, “I understand,” may not provide enough structure. A wise response combines compassion, safety, practical steps, and role clarity.

The chaplain’s tone matters. Panic may increase Marcus’s anxiety. Shame may increase secrecy. Control may create resistance. Calm presence helps Marcus think. Clear boundaries help him stay connected to real support.

Organic Humans Reflection

Marcus is an embodied soul. His struggle is not merely a bad thought. It involves his body, grief, hunger, fatigue, memory, desire, shame, relationships, spiritual hope, and moral agency.

The chaplain must honor Marcus’s dignity without minimizing danger. Marcus is not “just an addict.” He is also not free to ignore the consequences of relapse risk. He is an image-bearer whose life matters to God.

Whole-person care asks:

• Is he physically safe?

• Is he emotionally overwhelmed?

• Is he spiritually ashamed?

• Is he relationally isolated?

• Is he hiding from support?

• Is there overdose danger?

• What next step protects life and restores connection?

The chaplain also needs whole-person awareness. A moment like this can awaken urgency, fear, or a rescuing impulse in the chaplain. The chaplain must stay grounded, accountable, and connected to proper support systems too.

Practical Lessons

1. Truth-telling before relapse is a holy interruption.
   Marcus named the danger before using. That moment should be honored and strengthened.

2. Craving is serious but not final.
   A strong craving does not mean relapse must happen.

3. Secrecy strengthens the cycle.
   The chaplain must help Marcus reconnect with safe recovery support.

4. Privacy has limits when safety is at risk.
   The chaplain cannot promise secrecy in a life-threatening situation.

5. Prayer and practical action belong together.
   Pray if Marcus gives permission, then help him contact appropriate support.

6. The chaplain supports recovery but does not carry it.
   Marcus needs his recovery circle, not a secret dependency on the chaplain.

Reflection Questions

1. Where do you see the addiction cycle active in Marcus’s situation?

2. What triggers are present in this case?

3. Why is “Don’t tell anyone” a warning sign in this scenario?

4. What should the chaplain ask before offering spiritual encouragement?

5. Why would shame-based language make the situation worse?

6. What is the difference between protecting privacy and promising secrecy?

7. Why should the chaplain encourage Marcus to contact his sponsor or recovery support?

8. What would be an unsafe form of chaplain over-involvement?

9. How can prayer be offered in a way that supports action rather than replacing it?

10. What is one phrase from this case study you could use in real recovery ministry?

References

Alcoholics Anonymous World Services. Alcoholics Anonymous. 4th ed. Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, 2001.

Bible, World English Bible translation.

Cloud, Henry, and John Townsend. Boundaries: When to Say Yes, How to Say No to Take Control of Your Life. Zondervan, 1992.

May, Gerald G. Addiction and Grace: Love and Spirituality in the Healing of Addictions. HarperOne, 1988.

Reyenga, Henry. Organic Humans. Christian Leaders Press, forthcoming/course framework.

VanVonderen, Jeff. Good News for the Chemically Dependent and Those Who Love Them. Bethany House, 1989.