Comedian Russell Brand has earned a public persona for outrageous stand-up skits and a life filled with addiction struggles. After more than a decade of failing to overcome this adversity, his embracement of Christian values through a 12-step recovery program appear to be Brand’s saving grace.
The celebrity released a book called “Recovery: Freedom From Our Addictions” that details his low points and road to personal salvation. He coupled that work with a comedy special called “RE:BIRTH,” in an effort to creatively reach out to others suffering similar difficulties.
Brand’s 12-Step Salvation
In a recent interview, Brand opened up about how difficult it was to make progress and embrace a clean and sober life. But now that he has made strong progress, he wants his experience, works and words to inspire others to follow suit into spiritual, mental and physical health.
“Admit you have a problem,” he reportedly said. “Believe it’s possible to change, and ask Him for help. Invite Him in … Capital H’s, of course.”
Having gone through the 12-step, Gospel-based recovery program, Brand sees the world with a greater clarity than he did before his lengthy fall from grace.
“Society is collapsing, and people are starting to recognize that the reason they feel like they’re mentally ill is that they’re living in a system that’s not designed to suit the human spirit,” he reportedly said.
Those feelings of being alone and morally dysfunctional dragged this talented, intelligent man into a gutter of moral bankruptcy. In a confessional essay published by The Guardian, Brand provided an intimate glimpse into the darkness that once controlled his life.
“The mentality and behavior of drug addicts and alcoholics is wholly irrational until you understand that they are completely powerless over their addiction and unless they have structured help they have no hope,” he wrote. “What was so painful about Amy (Whitehouse’s) death is that I know that there is something I could have done. I could have passed on to her the solution that was freely given to me. Don’t pick up a drink or drug, one day at a time. It sounds so simple.”
Moving Into the Light
But at 42 years old, Brand has moved away from being under the spell of addictive behaviors that include hard drugs, alcohol, bulimia and even fame to a place of understanding. He recognizes that Christian-based programs such as the 12-Steps rest on a foundation of fellowship as well as faith in God.
“There are support fellowships that are easy to find and open to anyone who needs them, but they eschew promotion of any kind in order to preserve the purity of their purpose, which is for people with alcoholism and addiction to help one another stay clean and sober,” he wrote. “Without these fellowships I would take drugs. Because, even now, the condition persists. Drugs and alcohol are not my problem, reality is my problem, drugs and alcohol are my solution.”
Brand, who has not fared well dealing with authority figures, explains in his book that addiction is a feeble attempt to placate inner moral suffering and spiritual emptiness with external things such as drugs and even Facebook “Likes.”
“We are trying to solve inner problems externally — whatever it is in our lives that is missing,” he said. “Eckhart Tolle said it perfectly: ‘Addiction starts with pain and ends with pain.’ Here’s the point. Drugs, booze, sex … It’s not the particular addiction that matters as much as the fact that your life is out of control because of it.”
In classic Brand fashion, “Recovery: Freedom From Our Addictions” includes a creative spin on the 12-Step program developed by the Alcoholics Anonymous originators. He concludes that only by giving yourself over to a higher power can an internal solution be enjoyed.
The author, comedian and recovering addict recently married Laura Gallacher and the couple have been blessed with a child. A report in the Christian Post indicated that he says fatherhood, sobriety and becoming a man of God have profoundly changed his moral compass.
“If Christ consciousness is not accessible to us, then what is the point of the story of Jesus, you know,” Brand reportedly said. “He’s just a sort of a scriptural rock star, just an icon. Unless Christ is right here, right now, in your heart, in your consciousness, then what is Christ?”
~ Christian Patriot Daily
