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If you know someone who has a problem with addiction, you know what a terrible cross it can be. “Much of the addict’s suffering is spiritual,” says Keaton Douglas, head of the “I, Thirst” program which is based at the Shrine of St. Joseph in Stirling, New Jersey. The initiative seeks to give people in recovery the spiritual tools they need to stay sober and lead the faith-based fight against substance abuse disorders, especially the ever-growing opioid addiction.

Today we speak to Keaton Douglas and learn what brought her to become the head of this program. Keaton lovingly and wholeheartedly believes in the innate dignity of the human person and in this interview with her we see her passion for helping those who struggle with addictions.

“As a deer longs for flowing streams, so longs my soul for thee, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.” Psalm 42:1

https://www.shu.edu/academics/ithirst-spiritual-companionship-training.cfm

Addiction is a defining problem of society, with physiological, and mental health components that must be addressed. Ultimately, however, the desolation, the abandonment and the guilt which are all “hallmarks” of the addicted life are in many ways spiritual problems which require a spiritual remedy.

The iTHIRST online training seeks to provide this spiritual remedy to those suffering from addiction through the development and implementation of programs designed to educate and prevent, to provide support to treatment facilities and those incarcerated, and to develop an aftercare community for the afflicted and their families.

(Registration is Closed)

The words “I thirst” were among the last words of Christ on the Cross, as well as the words painted in every Chapel belonging to the Missionaries of Charity, St. Teresa of Calcutta’s order. St. Teresa said these words are a reminder that the Missionaries were there to “quench the thirst of Jesus for souls, for love, for kindness, for compassion, for delicate love.” 

The iTHIRST training will be taught by Keaton Douglas, founder of the iTHIRST initiative, which is an acronym for “The Healing Initiative—Recovery, Spirituality, and Twelve Steps.” The initiative seeks to give people in recovery the spiritual tools they need to stay clean and lead the faith-based fight against substance-use disorders, especially opioid addiction. It also educates the clergy and laity about substance abuse disorders so that the Church might be a resource for the afflicted and their families. Read more about Keaton in the articles linked under “Resources.”

Questions? Visit our FAQs webpage to find answers to our most frequently asked questions.

Seton Hall University in conjunction with iTHIRST and the Archdiocese of Newark invites you to be a beacon of hope to those you are suffering with addictions. As a Spiritual Companion, you will provide spiritual consolation and recovery resource information to the afflicted and their families. Working with your pastor, you will help to develop or supplement a recovery ministry the fits the need of your parish. The need is dire to help those who are suffering to spiritually heal and restore their dignity.

iTHIRST’s Spiritual Companion Program is a 48-hour interactive and engaging training program that will be offered remotely so that you may participate from the comfort of your home.  Participants will be academically certified through both iTHIRST and Seton Hall University and will receive 4.8 Continuing Education Units.  All sessions are virtual and will be scheduled every Monday and Wednesday from 6:30-9:30 pm. This training will begin on

February 1. 2021 ending March 24, 2021. For course registration: https://cepsenroll.shu.edu/coursedisplay.cfm?schID=292 

For further information, please contact the department of Continuing Education and Professional Studies at Seton Hall University at https://www.shu.edu/continuing-education/  or call (973) 761-9086 for more details.  Will you answer the call to become a part of this ministry?

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