Anti-Alcohol Program
Alcoholism is a devastating disease that has profoundly affected even the most remote villages of Africa. Introduced by the Europeans, alcohol planted strong roots in economic opportunity. The production of alcohol has spread throughout Africa, resulting in large quantities of small-scale home brewers trying to support their families and their habits. It is commonly accepted that alcohol abuse is linked to both poverty and to sexual promiscuity – further spreading HIV/AIDS. As ELI noticed the part that alcohol has played on the quality of life in Africa, it became abundantly clear that something needed to be done.ELI’s Anti-Alcohol program centers around the concept that Jesus Christ is the means by which addicts can be free of their addiction. Many of the program’s participants and graduates have tried to get sober on their own strength but failed – sometimes more than once. The one-month program starts with "cold turkey" detoxification, followed by an intense time of healing and discipleship as they walk through the Christian 12-step program. ELI’s Anti-Alcohol program has a success rate of 80% - a very high percentage, compared to average U.S. rehab programs.
ELI’s graduates stay sober because they rely heavily on the local church to hold them accountable and to bring them into a community of believers. A graduate from ELI’s Anti-Alcohol program concludes the program with a church service in their local village reconciling with those they have wronged and expressing their desire for changed lives. Scheduled home visit follow-ups help establish local accountability groups and provide one more layer of Christian community to protect the precious gift of sobriety.