For Nick Levis, learning how to minister to addicts was personal. Raised by a Catholic father and Protestant mother, the early loss of his father to addiction exposed firsthand the pain this disease can cause among loved ones. Levis has been in recovery himself for the last 21 years. Throughout his journey he has met many people in the recovery community who know this deep, personal suffering.
He completed Catholic Extension Society’s iTHIRST certification training in September. This program is a faith-based addiction and recovery initiative offered to faith leaders across the country interested in learning effective tools and strategies for recovery.
Now, Levis is spreading the word about his powerful experience with iTHIRST throughout his home of Santa Fe, and he is training to work with formerly incarcerated people looking to reenter society. In his responses below, he shared his reflections on the knowledge and perspectives he gained through iTHIRST. Although he is not Catholic himself, he loved iTHIRST’s spiritual program, and as a practicing Christian he has been edified by his experience in this Catholic-led program. His experience was profound, and it has inspired him to want to become Catholic. He is passionate about working with people ecumenically to help give honor to the face of Christ in those who struggle with addiction or poverty.
Share some takeaways from the iTHIRST program.
[My training group] was there to know more about the spiritual condition known as addiction. To understand the disease that is killing so many perfectly healthy young people around the world, especially here in the States, is to understand the battlefield of the soul that the modern-day Church faces.
This course taught me more about myself than my entire college education. Not just because I have been a recovering alcoholic for 21 years, but also because finding one’s way through the 12 steps will inevitably force one to find themselves. That’s the journey home from addiction—it takes a spiritual awakening.
iTHIRST puts the Bible and Jesus back in the fight without being pushy or overzealous. While Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is a great service and worked for me personally, Christianity was the root of AA and is the only way out of our present condition. The steps are there to lead us out of darkness and into the light
How is iTHIRST distinct from other addiction recovery programs?
Keaton Douglas’ [pictured below] iTHIRST Initiative gives hope to those who need the Gospel most—the poor in spirit. Addiction is a cruel and emotional roller coaster. Many addiction programs drift toward only focusing on treating the symptoms, not the root causes of addictive behavior. Ms. Douglas’ iTHIRST Initiative goes deep into our spiritual dilemma, treating addiction at its core—substance abuse is a self-destructive way to hide ourselves from God, our problems, our pain, our conscience and our community. iTHIRST’s role is to put faith back into the equation.
iTHIRST’s relationship with Seton Hall, its focus on training both laity and clergy, and its culture of forgiveness make it stand out. The reassuring, out of love, and empathetic heart of the program is evident from the first chapter and first Zoom conference. Addicts need our help. Someone has to be there for the sick and addicted. iTHIRST exemplifies the selflessness we need to be called children of God.
As a non-Catholic, what is it about the Catholic Church that intrigues you?
I consider myself “Half Cath, Half Decath” or some kind of blend between Catholic and Protestant. Catholics are sometimes viewed by non-Catholics as a cult who worships a female deity. After hanging with the Catholics, I can tell you this view is ridiculous. Catholicism so intrigued me that the iTHIRST group made me an honorary Catholic in our final iTHIRST class. Catholicism is about rituals, truths and having an open heart and open mind. As Jesus said, “On this rock I will build my church.”
The training I received will help me encounter the homeless, addicted and marginalized people I meet in my daily life. We know that Christ is in others as He is in us, and that we must not turn away a brother or sister in need. We have to meet people where they are and try to give them some inspiration through Christ.
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