Pastor: Freedom from addiction is possible

ADDICTION defined as a bio-psycho-social disorder characterised by repeated use of drugs, engagement in a behaviour despite harm to self and others.

While those who are free from it may lack the understanding, sometimes all an addict needs is a reformed addict to pull them out of their rut.

This is certainly the view of Yellowwood Park-based pastor, Marlon Oliver, who lives to tell of his experience, is reaching out to others. As a former drug addict of about three years, his wake-up call came in the form of the possibility of losing what was most precious to him.

“I got married and was still on drugs then. I ran the risk of losing a lot. That was my reality check,” he said. “An addict lives in denial for a long time. It is only when reality hits on the verge of losing everything or what’s most important that they start wanting to change. Some people die of an overdose and never get a chance to turn their life around.”

Being raised in Wentworth and in a broken home, was, according to him, the perfect recipe to start experimenting with various substances. After his mother abandoned her family when he was just five-years-old, he grew up feeling rejected, guilt and confusion.

“My brother was just a year older than I was when my parents got divorced. My dad raised us. I always felt a void and emptiness because of my mom’s absence. For some addicts, it could be an absent or abusive parent, for me, it was the void and emptiness of my mother’s absence.”

“That made me experiment with alcohol and smoking when I was about 12-years-old. There are many things that happen in our childhoods that shape who we are. This is why communities like Wentworth, and many others, have such a huge drug prevalence. There is so much brokenness in the family structure, it is easy to turn to drugs as a solution.”

He said God’s grace worked wonders in his recovery. Honest conversations with himself and taking responsibility for his strayed ways started his journey of healing. Breaking free from all of that, he now offers help to others.

“I want to help people get free and live the abundant life that Jesus came to give. The teachings I do are from my personal experience and from what the Bible teaches us.”

“The Bible is not just a rule book, but a blueprint for life. What leads people to addiction is the search for fulfillment in something. From a spiritual and Christian point of view, it is Christ who brings that fulfillment.

“For example, drugs offer to bring that fulfillment through some high, joy or peace. It offers you that, but it takes so much more. Before I can even help someone, I try to understand what their belief system is about themselves, God, and the world. I then connect the dots before we can move to other aspects of their addiction,” he added.

To get in touch, email Pastor Marlon Oliver at marlonroliver@gmail.com.