Opening the Doors of Healing: Keaton Douglas' Insightful Talk on Addiction, Faith and Community Support

On November 8, Seton Hall University’s Academy for Nature and Nurture welcomed Keaton Douglas for an event focused on fostering resilience in mental health by integrating insights from biomedical science, psychotherapy and Catholic theology. The event was held in the Beck Rooms (Walsh Library) from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., bringing together students, faculty and staff to explore innovative approaches to addressing addiction through spirituality, community support and clinical practice.

Keaton Douglas is a leading expert in addiction recovery and Catholic spirituality. She is the founder of the iTHIRST Initiative and author of The Road to Hope: Responding to the Crisis of Addiction. During the presentation, Douglas shared her insights on the connection between addiction, faith and social work, challenging the common perception of addiction as a moral failing. Instead, she presented addiction as a deep spiritual and psychological illness that requires compassionate understanding and intervention.

A central theme of Douglas’ talk was the importance of distinguishing the person from their addiction. She emphasized that it is crucial to separate the individual from the behavior, highlighting that “addiction is not who someone is—it’s something they are struggling with.” Douglas stressed that responding with empathy and dignity, rather than judgment, is essential in helping those affected by addiction.

Douglas also highlighted the critical role faith communities can play in addressing addiction. She spoke about the need for religious groups to offer support to those suffering, suggesting that churches should be open and welcoming to anyone seeking help, whether for themselves or a loved one.

One of the most poignant moments of the presentation came when Douglas shared her vision for a more supportive, accessible response to addiction. “My dream when putting this together was that you could knock on the door of any Catholic Church and say, ‘I don’t know if I’m struggling, I don’t know if my husband is struggling, but I need someone to talk to,’ and the door would be open.” This sentiment resonated deeply with the audience, highlighting the importance of openness and support in faith-based communities.

The event was recorded and will be made available to Seton Hall students and faculty through the University’s YouTube channel, offering a valuable resource for those seeking to understand addiction and its impact on individuals and communities.
 
 

Categories: Faith and Service