For over 25 years, Wisconsin Lutheran Child & Family Service has offered assistance to individuals and families who are affected by alcohol and drug abuse.  Help is available through a number of ways.  If you have questions regarding services for substance abuse and addiction, please contact us.

Counseling services
Our Christian Family Counseling offices in Milwaukee, Appleton, West Bend, and Fond du Lac offer outpatient services to recovering individuals and their families to address the issues and changes that come with sobriety and recovery. 

Recovery is not an easy path to travel, and each story is different.  Our Christian Family counselors work with recovering individuals to provide Christ-centered encouragement and support as they continue on their journey of sobriety.  Couple and group counseling is also available to help other family members as they address how addiction has affected their lives.

Support groups
Alcohol and drug abuse (A&DA) support group meetings are held throughout the state of Wisconsin.  These are Christian 12-step programs designed to provide a safe, Christ-centered atmosphere in which participants feel comfortable sharing their struggles. With the help of God and working the 12 steps, participants are able to share their faith, strength, and hope.

"After years of struggling with an alcohol problem, I had pretty much given up hope for any desired improvement in my life and the life of my loved ones. At just the right time, God in His infinite wisdom connected me with an Alcohol Awareness group at St. Mark's in Watertown, WI. Progress was slow at first, but it was progress. The Christian love and support my wife and I received was amazing. The men and women there could relate to our plight, but they accepted us for who we were and where we were at. It has been a number of years now since our first trip to Watertown, but the pain and shame have gone, replaced by peace and hope. Thanks be to our Lord and the beautiful folks He had willing to help us at our time of need."  Tom S.

Click here to find a support group near you.  If there is not a support group in your area and you are interested in starting one, contact us to receive group guidelines and support material.

Annual retreat
To help encourage individuals on their recovery journey, an annual retreat is held each April. The retreat also brings together many of the support groups and helps them to share materials and ideas.

In recent years, the retreat has been held at the Byron Center in Brownsville, WI, over an entire weekend.  The retreat provides opportunities for people in recovery to meet and support each other through Bible study, morning worship, educational presentations, recovery meetings, and fellowship.

Attendees of these annual retreats often remark that the greatest treasure from these weekends is the bond of Christian friendship that lasts for years.

2008 marks the 25th anniversary of the retreats.  Please watch the WLCFS Web site to learn more about the events and registration for this historic retreat.

Awareness Window
Distributed free of charge, Awareness Window is a quarterly publication produced by WLCFS for people in recovery.  Complete with devotional material and contributions from others in recovery, Awareness Window is available through the mail or on the Web.  If you are interested in receiving Awareness Window, contact us.

Back issues of Awareness Window are available upon request.

Educational presentations
Currently in development, it is our hope to soon provide educational presentations for congregations, parent-teacher groups, and other organizations on addiction, alcohol and drug abuse, and recovery.  Continue to watch this space for more information.

Additional information
If you have questions about the substance abuse program at WLCFS or desire to learn more about the services we offer, please call 888.685.9522, and ask to speak with our Provider Service Director.  You can also send an e-mail with your questions by clicking here.

Additional materials to help you in your recovery are also available. Please click here for a printable order form.

                                                                               The 12 Steps Simplified

1. I admit I need help.
2. I believe God can help.
3. I cannot save myself; God can.
4. I look at myself.
5. I confess my wrongs.
6. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, I am ready for change.
7. I ask God for help.
8. I think of those I have harmed.
9. I make amends.
10. I continue to look at myself.
11. Through Word and Sacrament I'm drawn closer to God.
12. I help others.

The strength we receive through God's love for us, we pass on. We gain strength in encouraging others. We simply cannot build our life alone. We are saved and reach out so others can be saved.