Addiction

The Latest

Mother Elvira, the founder of the Comunità Cenacolo, based her efforts to help young people struggling with addiction around the concept of radical trust in God's mercy and providence.

Mother Elvira, who shared God’s love with those struggling with addiction, dies at 86

Aug 5, 2023

By Joseph Pronechen

The Comunità Cenacolo she founded in 1983 has grown to encompass 72 recovery houses in 20 countries. Read more

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Catholic drug rehabilitation facility begins to take shape in Arizona

Jul 25, 2023

By Daniel Payne

Kevin Starrs, vice president of the Kolbe Mission, says he noticed the absence of rehab facilities built specifically for Catholics.  Read more

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New online platform fights porn addiction under the patronage of Blessed Carlo Acutis

Apr 18, 2023

By Solène Tadié

The initiative SOS Porn Deliverance seeks to show people the good news that with God, freedom is possible. Read more

Richard Johnson, left, and his brother Djay attend the 8th annual Warriors to Lourdes pilgrimage on May 10-16, 2022.

‘I felt I completely lost my soul’: Ex-military nurse battling addiction finds solace at Lourdes

May 19, 2022

By Solène Tadié

‘My family grieved me as I was basically gone,’ Richard Johnson said during a pilgrimage to Lourdes. Read more

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Pope Francis to young addicts: Do not be afraid of your suffering

Dec 8, 2021

By Kate Olivera

Pope Francis has encouraged young people suffering from addiction to take an honest look at their suffering, and courageously to... Read more

The Calix Society: How Catholics can grow in faith while recovering from addiction

Jul 21, 2020

By Perry West

The Calix Society serves as a way for Catholics undergoing a 12 Step program to integrate their faith into their... Read more

AA sobriety chips.

AA under quarantine: How coronavirus is changing 12-step recovery programs

Mar 24, 2020

By Mary Farrow

12-step programs have helped millions of Americans find recovery from additions. How will those programs, and the people who need... Read more

Catholic group to start holistic addiction recovery home in Kentucky 

Dec 24, 2019

By Perry West

A Kentucky diocese is leasing a tenantless building to a Catholic charity to create a holistic recovery program for people... Read more

Participants in the 2019 pilgrimage in Maine.

Maine teens hike 70 miles in pilgrimage of prayer to end addiction and depression

Sep 1, 2019

By Christine Rousselle

For the second year in a row, 11 Maine teens embarked on a 70-mile pilgrimage to pray for their communities... Read more

'Lust is a monster': Gay porn star quits industry, joins fight against porn

May 22, 2019

An actor who has been featured in dozens of homosexual pornographic films has announced his exit from the industry and... Read more

Pope Francis at the general audience in St. Peter's Square on April 18, 2018.

Don’t let your cell phone become an addiction, pope warns high schoolers

Apr 15, 2019

Pope Francis met with a group of high school students this weekend, encouraging them to monitor their cell phone use,... Read more

Catholic Charities unveils plan to fight chronic homelessness in Southern Nevada

Feb 17, 2019

By Perry West

As part of a new nationwide program, Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada is hoping to reduce chronic homelessness in the... Read more

Catholic Charities in NY receives grant to treat rural opioid abuse

Sep 15, 2018

By Perry West

A Catholic Charities in New York has received a nearly $1 million grant to provide care to opioid addicts in... Read more

Death penalty for drug dealers? Catholic group responds to federal memo

Mar 22, 2018

The Trump administration’s call for increased use of the death penalty in drug-related crimes will not address the root causes... Read more

Outside a homeless shelter.

From addiction to ordination: a homeless man's journey to priesthood

Aug 25, 2017

Claude Paradis was impoverished and homeless, living on the streets of Montreal, Canada. He struggled with addiction to both alcohol... Read more

Prescription bottle.

Bishops preach hope, solidarity amidst opioid epidemic

Jul 12, 2017

By Matt Hadro

Amidst a growing epidemic of drug overdose and opioid addiction, Catholic bishops have been speaking out on the need for... Read more

Project Mater – an oasis of help for pregnant mothers

Jan 2, 2017

Maria* has not had an easy life. Several years ago, while pregnant with her second child, she checked into a... Read more

Not your grandpa's porn – Has the Church caught up to the problem?

Sep 20, 2016

By Mary Farrow

Clay Olsen speaks to thousands of youth about a subject most people would rather not touch: pornography.  Read more

Spike in opioid-linked deaths demands action, Mass. bishops say

Mar 17, 2016

There’s a major increase in opioid-related deaths in Massachusetts – and it demands an urgent response, said the state’s Catholic... Read more

Pope Francis prays with staff and patients at  the Fr. Mario Picchi Italian Center for Solidarity in Marino, Feb. 26, 2016.

Pope Francis spends his Friday with people in drug, alcohol recovery

Feb 26, 2016

By Elise Harris

Continuing his knack for surprises, Pope Francis made an unscheduled stop at a rehabilitation center for those addicted to drugs... Read more