Christians United Against Addict

About Us | History | Listen Online | Picture Gallery | Contact Us

Frequently Ask Questions

1. Who is responsible for leadership of the group?

The persons or couple initiating the group should be responsible for contacting members or interested people regarding meeting place and other events. These leaders should keep literature on hand (available by donation from CUAA office). They should keep current address and phone lists of the group participants and send CUAA office the names of those who desire to receive a copy of our newsletters.
2. How does the group leader decide upon a subject of the meeting?
The designated leader should normally select the subject or Step from the listed material in the CUAA Guidebook, in order to stay FOCUSED. Tendencies of discussion of various doctrines or theological views should be avoided at all costs. Meetings must forever stay Christ-centered. Any supplementary readings should come from recovery related materials i.e. CUAA, S.T.E.P., Alcoholics Anonymous, etc.

3. Should the same person lead every meeting?

Rotation of leadership is essential! One or two people/couples should be in charge of designating other individuals to take turns in leading. With the accompanying format and resource material, it is relatively simple for anyone to lead, even without previous notice or special training. A group leader should have attended CUAA meetings for at least 3 months so they will be familiar with the format. This not only relieves the group leader from having the responsibility every week, but also helps the participating individuals to flourish and grow. Rotation of leadership assures that the group leader won't tend to dominate the meeting or suffer "burnout." Other CUAA leaders may emerge by being nurtured through occasional group leadership.

4. Leader sensitivity to special needs or disruptions:
The leader should be sensitive and alert to any special problems which need to be addressed and to any attempts at meeting disruption by an individual who may try to dominate the discussion or deviate from the topic. Long renditions of a member's personal problems should be saved for a leader or sponsor after the meeting. Leaders also need to be aware of anyone who is obviously "under the influence" and request that they share after the meeting. We always need to remember that "our common welfare must come first." No one person should dominate meeting time. Each person should have an opportunity to share before any one person shares the second time.
5. "Cross-talk" must be avoided.

Participants should be encouraged to raise their hands and identify by giving their first names. The leader needs to let it be known that everyone is welcome to share (if they are not "under the influence" of alcohol or drugs) but he/she must take his/her turn in speaking and refrain from making comments following another person's sharing with out gaining recognition from the leader. Since we don't give advice, sharing should be limited to our own personal experience, strength and hope. It is also well to avoid "questions" during sharing time in order to concentrate on feelings rather than facts.

6. What about counseling individual members?

Since CUAA groups are not "therapy" groups, and since those in attendance are not qualified to counsel, we do not give specific advice. Leaders should be aware of any particular need and offer additional resources when a need is indicated. The leader should have a list of local alcohol/drug treatment and therapy resources handy for group members. Group members themselves may call CUAA office for suggested treatment resources.

7. "7th Tradition"

CUAA groups that make a practice of receiving a freewill offering at meetings and are giving a portion to the CUAA Ministry will find it to be an investment in their own individual recovery. Placing a dollar or two in the offering (known as the "7th Tradition") is a terrific bargain compared to the amounts we use to spend on the substance of our addictions! Most of us in recovery believe that "what I can give is never as much as I get from the giving."

8. Our "higher power"

Now that we are participating in a Christ-centered support group, we may refer to our "higher power" as JESUS CHRIST, our Savior and Lord!

9. Group Leaders Mutual Encouragement

Some areas where there will be several CUAA meetings the leaders will discover that periodic regional meetings for group leaders are very productive by providing mutual encouragement and support.

10. How can we publicize the CUAA Support Groups Meetings?

Sample bulletin announcements are available through the CUAA office. Some churches can publicize their CUAA group in the local newspaper.

11. Who is invited to an CUAA Support Groups Meetings?

CUAA groups are made up of alcoholics, drug addicts, adults children of alcoholics, codependents, workaholics, overeaters, sex addicts, anyone seeking victory over any addictive or compulsion, as well as those from other dysfunctional backgrounds. If there is not an outside 12 Step support group meeting to respond and help for your particular problem CUAA support group meeting will benefit any compulsive behavior.

12. Are children and teenagers invited to CUAA groups?

It seems best to limit the groups to an adult population (over age 16) unless the teen can personally identify and needs the support of the group for his/her addiction. Groups for young people should be held separately so as not to hinder the sharing of adults. The decision is left up to the parent of the child/children.

Workshops On The Road

Educating Christian Families on addiction and addictive behavior. CUAA presenters share from their personal and professional experience how they have overcome and helped others to do the same.

Empowering saints through the Word of God; to show that there is hope and permanent healing through Jesus Christ.