Freedom in Christ — RGV 12-Step Teen Recovery

RGV ROAD TO RECOVERY IA

FREEDOM IN CHRIST

RGV 12-Step Teen Recovery

A Christ-Centered Recovery Workbook for Teens, Families, Mentors, Churches, and Community Groups

STEVE EISENHAUER

RGV Road to Recovery IA

Copyright and Use

Freedom in Christ: RGV 12-Step Teen Recovery

Copyright © 2026 Steve Eisenhauer. All rights reserved.

Developed for RGV Road to Recovery IA. Published by SS Eisenhauer Enterprises LLC for RGV Road to Recovery IA.

This workbook is an independently developed, Christ-centered recovery curriculum. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc., Narcotics Anonymous World Services, Inc., or any other Twelve Step fellowship. All organization and product names remain the property of their respective owners.

Unless otherwise noted, Scripture quotations are from the King James Version (KJV), which is in the public domain in the United States.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored, or transmitted in any form without prior written permission, except for brief quotations in reviews and the purchaser's personal use of the workbook pages.

Website: https://rgvroadtorecovery.org

Printed in the United States of America

A Letter to the Teen Beginning This Journey

You are not here because you are beyond hope. You are here because something in you - even if it is small - is still reaching for freedom. A struggle with alcohol, drugs, vaping, pornography, gambling, screens, relationships, or another compulsive behavior can make life feel divided. One part of you may want change while another part wants relief right now. This book gives you a place to tell the truth about both.

Recovery does not require you to pretend that you have no questions. It asks for honesty, willingness, and the courage to accept help. Jesus is not shocked by your story. God sees the whole person: your pain, your choices, your strengths, your needs, and the future that has not yet been written.

Use this workbook with safe people. Ask hard questions. Write honestly. Cross out what you need to rewrite. Take small steps and repeat them. You are responsible for your choices, but you were never meant to carry recovery alone.

Steve Eisenhauer
RGV Road to Recovery IA

CORE TRUTH Your struggle may be part of your story, but it does not own your identity or decide your ending.

Safety First

IMMEDIATE DANGER If you or someone else may be in immediate danger, call 911 or your local emergency number now. In the United States, call or text 988 for free, confidential crisis support, available 24 hours a day. If you are outside the United States, use your local emergency or crisis service.

This workbook provides education, spiritual reflection, and structured recovery exercises. It is not medical care, psychotherapy, diagnosis, detoxification, or a substitute for treatment by qualified professionals.

• Tell a responsible adult immediately about overdose risk, unknown substances, severe withdrawal symptoms, threats, abuse, exploitation, self-harm, suicidal thoughts, or danger to another person.
• Do not stop alcohol, benzodiazepines, opioids, or other substances on your own when withdrawal may be dangerous. Seek medical guidance.
• Naloxone can reverse an opioid overdose when given in time. Ask a qualified local professional about access, training, and emergency response.
• Never agree to keep secrets about abuse, suicidal intent, overdose, weapons, threats, or immediate danger.
• A teen should not make direct amends, meet an unsafe person, or disclose trauma details without review by a responsible adult or qualified professional.

Confidentiality Has Limits

Groups should protect privacy, but leaders cannot promise secrecy about danger. Laws and organizational policies differ. Before a group begins, leaders must explain mandatory-reporting duties, parent or guardian communication, documentation, transportation, digital communication, and emergency procedures in plain language.

How to Use This Workbook

The course contains 12 steps and a closing lesson. Each step in this book follows the same dependable rhythm so you can focus on the work instead of wondering what comes next.

Read the Step, Scripture focus, lesson goal, and community principle.

Study the teaching sections and mark sentences that describe your experience.

Work through the fictional scenario without using it to diagnose yourself or someone else.

Practice the recovery tool and discuss what makes it realistic for your life.

Complete the four-question quiz without looking at the answer key.

Finish the personal assignment with the level of detail that is safe and appropriate.

Review your seven-day plan with a parent, guardian, mentor, counselor, pastor, or other approved adult.

Suggested Pace

Use one step per week when possible. A group may divide a step into two meetings when the assignment needs more time. Progress is not measured by speed. Slow down whenever safety, treatment, family involvement, or deeper counseling needs attention.

Symbols Used

• PAUSE - slow down and check safety.
• PRACTICE - try a concrete recovery skill.
• TALK - involve a safe person.
• PRAY - bring the truth to God.
• WRITE - make the next step specific.

My Support Team

Recovery becomes safer when roles are clear. Write contact information only where this book will be stored privately.

Parent or guardian

Recovery mentor or sponsor

Counselor or treatment professional

Pastor, youth leader, or ministry contact

Physician or clinic

School support person

Trusted friend who respects the plan

Emergency contact

SUPPORT CHECK At least one responsible adult should know the recovery plan, warning signs, emergency steps, and how to reach other helpers.

Group Covenant

A healthy group protects dignity while keeping safety more important than secrecy. Read each commitment aloud, discuss it, and sign only after questions have been answered.

• We speak from our own experience and avoid diagnosing, shaming, preaching at, or fixing one another.
• We protect private stories outside the group, except when safety or reporting duties require adult action.
• We do not share names, screenshots, recordings, or identifying details without permission.
• We do not exchange substances, explicit content, weapons, money, or secret contact information.
• We allow a participant to pass on a question. No one is forced to disclose trauma or illegal details.
• We respect time, turn-taking, physical boundaries, cultural differences, and each person's pace.
• We involve qualified help for medical, mental-health, legal, abuse, or emergency concerns.
• We keep Jesus Christ, truth, recovery, safety, and service at the center.

Participant signature and date

Parent/guardian or approved adult signature and date

Facilitator signature and date

For Facilitators, Parents, and Mentors

This curriculum can support discipleship and recovery education, but it must operate inside a real safeguarding structure. Before the first meeting, identify who is legally and organizationally responsible, how emergencies are handled, which adults are screened and trained, and how caregivers and clinical providers are involved.

The Adult's Job

• Create predictable structure without trying to control every feeling or outcome.
• Listen for safety concerns, not for dramatic details.
• Respond to disclosure calmly and follow reporting policy immediately.
• Use curiosity before accusation: 'Help me understand what happened before that choice.'
• Reinforce honest disclosure, even while maintaining consequences and boundaries.
• Refer beyond your role. Spiritual support and professional treatment can work together.

What Not to Do

• Do not promise absolute secrecy.
• Do not conduct improvised detoxification.
• Do not force public confession or amends.
• Do not use prayer as a reason to delay emergency care.
• Do not create private, unmonitored adult-teen communication outside policy.
• Do not turn the group into an investigation or punishment program.

A 60- to 75-Minute Meeting Plan

After Each Meeting

• Record only necessary safety and attendance information according to policy.
• Follow up on referrals and emergency actions.
• Do not keep clinical notes unless qualified and authorized.
• Inform caregivers according to the consent and safety plan.
• Debrief leaders without repeating unnecessary private details.

Twelve Christ-Centered Community Principles

These principles bring the recovery steps into group life. They are written for this curriculum and should be read alongside local church or organizational policies.

Unity and safety - we recover together and protect people from preventable harm.

Christ-centered authority - Jesus, Scripture, prayer, and wise care guide the community.

Belonging - sincere willingness to seek freedom opens the door to participation.

Responsible independence - local groups may adapt while honoring truth, safety, and purpose.

Primary purpose - we help teens pursue recovery and faithful freedom.

Integrity - the ministry name and resources are never used to exploit or control.

Stewardship - service and support are given freely, transparently, and appropriately.

Peer service with professional respect - peers encourage; qualified professionals treat and protect.

Simple accountable structure - leaders coordinate and safeguard rather than dominate.

Focus - meetings avoid outside disputes and remain centered on recovery.

Humble outreach - hope is shared by honest invitation and consistent living.

Confidentiality and spiritual foundation - privacy protects dignity, and principles remain above personalities.

Which principle would make this group safer for you?

Starting Point: Recovery Readiness

Circle or mark the response that best describes today. This is not a grade. Review it with a safe adult and repeat it after Step 12.

I can name the main struggle honestly. [ Not yet ] [ Sometimes ] [ Usually ] [ Yes ]

At least one responsible adult knows what is happening. [ Not yet ] [ Sometimes ] [ Usually ] [ Yes ]

I know what to do in a crisis. [ Not yet ] [ Sometimes ] [ Usually ] [ Yes ]

I am willing to accept medical or counseling help if needed. [ Not yet ] [ Sometimes ] [ Usually ] [ Yes ]

I can identify common triggers. [ Not yet ] [ Sometimes ] [ Usually ] [ Yes ]

I have at least two healthy coping options. [ Not yet ] [ Sometimes ] [ Usually ] [ Yes ]

I understand that confidentiality has safety limits. [ Not yet ] [ Sometimes ] [ Usually ] [ Yes ]

I am willing to repair harm safely. [ Not yet ] [ Sometimes ] [ Usually ] [ Yes ]

I have a daily way to seek God. [ Not yet ] [ Sometimes ] [ Usually ] [ Yes ]

I believe a meaningful life is possible. [ Not yet ] [ Sometimes ] [ Usually ] [ Yes ]

The area where I most need support

Contents

Book Companion Resources

Leader guidance appears in the opening resources and is outside the graded activity sequence.