Christian Love Ministries residential treatment center is a non-profit organization devoted to helping people with drug and alcohol addictions. The ministry welcomes men and women from all over the United States. While living at CLM, students recover in a safe, loving and professional atmosphere. A structured class environment during the weekdays is matched with outings and work assignments designed to rebuild self-reliance and confidence. Class curriculum is derived from studies by Ph.D. level educators, ministers and doctors. A strict adherence to biblical principles in coursework and activities has proven to ensure treatment results with numbers much higher than those found in state run or private rehab facilities.

Though CLM was built to serve the local area for addiction treatment, people from all over the United States have come to rebuild their lives over the 11 week program course. During treatment students begin to learn concepts and habits necessary for a drug-free, productive lifestyle. Each morning students the day early with a full breakfast, prayer and personal time for reading and reflection. There is a morning devotional taught by CLM's director where students learn life applications for topics being learned in other classes they attend. Four hours of each weekday is spent at the Marketplace Thrift Store sorting donations, pricing, straightening items. Students begin to develop a routine of responsibility which is crucial to living a successful life outside of treatment. After a long day spent learning and working students are transported to various 12 step meetings and church groups throughout the local area. Many local leaders and sponsors volunteer to help the students at Christian Love to begin building healthy relationships and a network of recovery. Quite simply, miracles happen as individuals change for the better while in treatment at CLM.

Because many addictions cause physical dependency, Christian Love will begin building a medical detoxification center on the grounds. Opiates like heroin and pain killers, along with benzodiazepines such as xanax and valium, can be deadly to quit "cold turkey." Individuals must gradually reduce the amount of the drugs present in their systems. Alcoholics must likewise seek medical help while getting sober. Without proper attention to vital signs, addicts and alcoholics can easily fall into a seizure or even die from withdrawal. A doctor must be present to evaluate the severity of cases and a nurse must be present day and night to ensure the physician's orders are carried out. The detox facility will make CLM a popular facility, as there are very few places in Western North Carolina that offer detoxification and long term treatment together.

If you or a loved one suffers from addiction to drugs or alcohol, please contact the ministry at CLM for help. Our licensed and professional counselors have many years of experience treating substance abuse. Because not every addict needing help is able to enter Christian Love Ministries as a student, this website should serve as a point of information, contact and referral for ANY person needing help. CLM is a certified member of the Addiction Search network.

(Click here to read, “Christian Love Ministries Celebrates 25 Years!”) 

Drug Addiction and Christian Recovery, by Rev. Denny Smith

One of the main reasons it has been so difficult, I believe, to find adequate and sufficient treatment over the past decade or so is due to the fact that insurance companies are requiring so much more of the individual and his or her policy. Certain limitations and coverage technicalities have allowed insurance companies to "escape" without having to pay for even a part of drug and alcohol treatment and recovery. Perhaps for this reason so many have found it easier to seek treatment from Christian organizations which deal with and manage such societal deficiencies.

As the cost for treatment for addiction and alcoholism soared in the 1980's many drug insurance companies began to create policies which did not cover entrance to a facility. Who would be filling out paper work and circle themselves or a family member as an addict or alcoholic anyways?

Addiction to alcohol or drugs is classified as an illness and is understood by the treatment community to be a disease, but many Christian leaders have found they hold the keys to answering the problem and have responded by creating Christ based recovery centers all over the United States. These centers fill a very broad spectrum of curriculum and adhere to varying ideologies and doctrines. Finding one of these centers that suits can be especially difficult.

Christian Love Ministries, in Murphy NC has offered treatment for addictions since 1986. Perhaps as an answer to receding numbers of treatment options, God called the founder of CLM to start building this treatment center in the early 1980's. Three times its Market Place thrift store would be washed away with the Hiawassee River. Many additions and building plans were created without the funding for their creation. The money simply would prove to be their right when necessity called for their implementation. Thus, the ministry has never had to take on a loan or pay off any debts since opening.

The success of Christian Love Ministries has touched the lives of 1000's of individuals over the years. Many have only been participants as volunteers, donors or as Wednesday church service leaders at the ministry. These volunteer and staff positions have been filled by just the right person at just the right time to offer an individual and unique approach to treatment at Christian Love Ministries. As a student entering the program one is met with confidence, respect and assurance that their needs will be met and filled.

Over the years a separate center for women has been planned, built and continues to thrive. Even working at their own market place in Blairsville, GA, Mary's House has been able to offer what truly lacks in the area of addiction treatment- recovery for women. Dealing with issues specific to gender has been either overlooked or ignored by many programs mistakenly as they came to fruition. An entire program geared towards women's issues is crucial to being effective on an individual level.  Post treatment care at Christian Love Ministries goes a step farther than traditional centers by including a halfway house for men and women. As addicts try to get their lives back in order, many of them have found that living with other addicts and a specific set of guidelines has become necessary. Christian Love Ministries attempts to answer specific demands on an individual level. While offering this tailored and individual treatment, CLM has become a true leader in the field of Christian Recovery.

Most of the programs which are in operation currently were not open when Christian Love Ministries answered a calling by God to help other addicts. The ministries have served to offer a tremendous amount of support and guidance to other centers as they each became self- sufficient. Many of the students that Christian Love has graduated have become drug an alcohol addictions counselors. A connection with a local community college program encourages such scholastic achievement.

If you or anyone you know has a problem or addiction to drugs and / or alcohol, you should contact one of the licensed counselors at Christian Love Ministries for help.  Our connections and experience in the region with many treatment centers allows us to offer referral for your specific situation.