The Addiction Connection Podcast

Can an "alcoholic" be saved? It is a highly provocative question, but the answer fundamentally changes how we approach addiction. Dr. Mark E. Shaw tackles a controversial topic: why diagnosing addiction as a "disease" points people away from the only true cure.

When you label yourself an "alcoholic" with a disease, you remove personal responsibility and the need for a Savior. But when you use biblical language — recognizing the struggle as drunkenness (Ephesians 5:18) or idolatry of the heart — it reveals a sin problem. And a sin problem has a definitive, glorious solution: the redeeming grace of Jesus Christ. Discover why language acts as a signpost in your recovery, and why biblical counseling pursues both inner heart transformation - and outer behavioral change.

0:00 Intro & The Controversial Statement

1:30 The Problem with the "Disease" Diagnosis

3:15 Ephesians 5:18 & The Biblical Diagnosis

4:45 Why Language is Never Neutral

6:15 Inner Heart Change vs. Outer Behavior

10:00 Reinterpreting the Language to Share the Gospel

12:15 Final Thoughts

☕ TAC Chapter House has officially launched!

Pick up select books and premium whole-bean coffee. Every purchase is a practical way to help us bring the Hope of the Gospel to the Heart of Addiction:

https://tac-chapter-house-2026.square.site/s/shop

Mark E. Shaw, D.Min., founded The Addiction Connection in 2012 and is the author of 30 publications on addictions and biblical counseling. He serves as Nocatee Campus Pastor of Counseling at First Baptist Church Jacksonville (FL).

Equip your church and ministry team with practical, Christ-centered counseling tools.

🔴🎓 COUNSEL MEMBERSHIP:

Stream 133+ video workshops, TAC summit recordings, training sessions & much more:

👉 https://theaddictionconnection.thinkific.com/bundles/counsel

🆘 NEED ADDICTION HELP & RESOURCES?

Get Help Now: https://www.theaddictionconnection.org/addiction-help/

Residential Programs: https://www.theaddictionconnection.org/residential-programs/

Non-Residential Programs: https://www.theaddictionconnection.org/non-residential-programs/

🎙️ LISTEN TO THE TAC PODCAST (New Episodes Weekly):

https://anchor.fm/theaddictionconnection

📖 ABOUT THE ADDICTION CONNECTION:

Connecting the Hope of the Gospel with the Heart of Addiction.

Website: https://theaddictionconnection.org

Statement of Faith: https://www.theaddictionconnection.org/statement-of-faith/

🧑🏽‍💻🎉 Donate to The Addiction Connection:

theaddictionconnection.org/give/

#BiblicalCounseling #MinistryLeadership #AddictionRecovery #MarkEShaw #PastoralCare #TACSummit #ChristianCounseling #ChurchMinistry #theaddictionconnection #sanctification #christianpodcast #12steps #alcoholicsanonymous

0:00 Intro / 2 Corinthians 3

2:00 Why AA is a "Ministry of Condemnation"

5:30 The Ministry of Righteousness & Reconciliation

7:15 Identity in Christ vs. Secular Labels

9:00 Final Thoughts & October Ministry Updates

☕ TAC Chapter House has officially launched!

Pick up select books and premium whole bean coffee. Every purchase is a practical way to help us bring the Hope of the Gospel to the Heart of Addiction:

https://tac-chapter-house-2026.square.site/s/shop

Mark E. Shaw, D.Min., founded The Addiction Connection in 2012 and is the author of 30 publications on addictions and biblical counseling. He serves as Nocatee Campus Pastor of Counseling at First Baptist Church Jacksonville (FL).

Equip your church and ministry team with practical, Christ-centered counseling tools.

🔴🎓 COUNSEL MEMBERSHIP:

Stream 133+ video workshops, TAC summit recordings, training sessions & much more:

👉 https://theaddictionconnection.thinkific.com/bundles/counsel

🆘 NEED ADDICTION HELP & RESOURCES?

Get Help Now: https://www.theaddictionconnection.org/addiction-help/

Residential Programs: https://www.theaddictionconnection.org/residential-programs/

Non-Residential Programs: https://www.theaddictionconnection.org/non-residential-programs/

🎙️ LISTEN TO THE TAC PODCAST (New Episodes Weekly):

https://anchor.fm/theaddictionconnection

📖 ABOUT THE ADDICTION CONNECTION:

Connecting the Hope of the Gospel with the Heart of Addiction.

Website: https://theaddictionconnection.org

Statement of Faith: https://www.theaddictionconnection.org/statement-of-faith/

🧑🏽‍💻🎉 Donate to The Addiction Connection:

theaddictionconnection.org/give/

#BiblicalCounseling #MinistryLeadership #AddictionRecovery #MarkEShaw #PastoralCare #TACSummit #ChristianCounseling #ChurchMinistry #theaddictionconnection #sanctification #christianpodcast #12steps #alcoholicsanonymous

0:00 Intro

2:00 Mark E. Shaw

9:00 End/Final Thoughts

Is the ultimate goal just to get "clean and sober," or is there something far superior?

In this episode of The Addiction Connection Podcast, Dr. Mark E. Shaw breaks down why Christians should view September as "National Transformation Month" rather than National Recovery Month. He explores the profound differences between working a secular recovery program and the biblical process of progressive sanctification. Discover why addiction is fundamentally a belief problem, why pulpits need to preach sanctification alongside salvation, and how the synergistic work of the Holy Spirit and the believer leads to true, lasting transformation.

TAC Chapter House has officially launched!

Select books, whole-bean coffee bags (& more) help support The Addiction Connection's ministry. Every bag purchased is a practical way to help us bring the Hope of the Gospel to the Heart of Addiction:

https://tac-chapter-house-2026.square.site/s/shop

Mark E. Shaw, D.Min., founded The Addiction Connection in 2012 and is the author of 30 publications on addictions and biblical counseling. He serves as Nocatee Campus Pastor of Counseling at First Baptist Church Jacksonville (FL).

Equip your church and ministry team with practical, Christ-centered counseling tools.

🔴🎓 COUNSEL MEMBERSHIP:

Stream 133+ video workshops, TAC summit recordings, training sessions & much more:

👉 https://theaddictionconnection.thinkific.com/bundles/counsel

🆘 NEED ADDICTION HELP & RESOURCES?

• Get Help Now: https://www.theaddictionconnection.org/addiction-help/

• Residential Programs: https://www.theaddictionconnection.org/residential-programs/

• Non-Residential Programs: https://www.theaddictionconnection.org/non-residential-programs/

🎙️ LISTEN TO THE TAC PODCAST (New Episodes Weekly):

https://anchor.fm/theaddictionconnection

📖 ABOUT THE ADDICTION CONNECTION:

Connecting the Hope of the Gospel with the Heart of Addiction.

• Website: https://theaddictionconnection.org

• Statement of Faith: https://www.theaddictionconnection.org/statement-of-faith/

🧑🏽‍💻🎉Donate to The Addiction Connection

theaddictionconnection.org/give/

#BiblicalCounseling #MinistryLeadership #nationalrecoverymonth #AddictionRecovery #MarkEShaw #PastoralCare #TACSummit #ChristianCounseling #ChurchMinistry #Shorts

tags

0:00 Intro

2:00 Mark E. Shaw

9:00 End/Final Thoughts

TAC Coffee Co. has officially launched!

Now you can enjoy great coffee while supporting the ministry of The Addiction Connection. Every bag purchased is a practical way to help us bring the Hope of the Gospel to the Heart of Addiction.

Order Today: https://bit.ly/TAC-COFFEE

Stream the video library for the addiction counselor.

COUNSEL — https://theaddictionconnection.thinkific.com/

🧑🏽‍💻🎉Donate to The Addiction Connection

theaddictionconnection.org/give/

Mark E. Shaw, D.Min., is the author of 30 publications on addictions and biblical counseling. He serves as Nocatee Campus Pastor of Counseling at First Baptist Church, Jacksonville (FL).

Bible study on handling God's truth 🎯. Join us as we explore faith in Jesus, what healing from an addiction really means, and reconstruct recovery using biblical principles. Focusing on how Jesus totally transforms a person, our discussion about mental health and substance use is from a biblical Christian perspective, providing hope through scripture-based solutions. Stream now for practical biblical wisdom on freedom from addiction. 🙏

COUNSEL: Stream all past workshop videos today — 🔴https://theaddictionconnection.thinkific.com/

🎧Listen to full podcasts (New Episodes Weekly):

🔴https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/theaddictionconnection

Need Help Now? The Addiction Connection offers hope to those struggling with addiction. Start your search for biblical programs here.

https://www.theaddictionconnection.org/addiction-help/

Find a Program Near You:

https://www.theaddictionconnection.org/residential-programs/

https://www.theaddictionconnection.org/non-residential-programs/

What We Believe:

https://www.theaddictionconnection.org/statement-of-faith/

tags

addiction

biblical counseling

training

resources

Christian

addiction rehab

drug abuse

healing from addiction

relapse

mental health

alcoholism

the consumption of alcohol

care group study

Family Help For Addiction (A Care Group Study)

counselor training for addiction

ministry leadership

counselor training for addiction

counseling techniques for addiction

addiction resources

addiction recovery

addiction help podcast

overcoming addiction

bible based curriculum

addiction counselor training

12 steps

alcoholics anonymous

big book

the heart of addiction

connecting the hope of the gospel

counseling techniques for addiction

addiction help podcast

bible based curriculum

curriculum planning for group teaching

addiction counselor training

self improvement

addiction

self-injury

addiction recovery speakers

dopesick hulu

interview

mark e shaw

HHS addiction treatment

0:00 Intro

2:00 Mark E. Shaw

9:00 End/Final Thoughts

TAC Coffee Co. has officially launched!

Now you can enjoy great coffee while supporting the ministry of The Addiction Connection. Every bag purchased is a practical way to help us bring the Hope of the Gospel to the Heart of Addiction.

Order Today: https://bit.ly/TAC-COFFEE

Stream the video library for the addiction counselor.

COUNSEL — https://theaddictionconnection.thinkific.com/

🧑🏽‍💻🎉Donate to The Addiction Connection

theaddictionconnection.org/give/

Mark E. Shaw, D.Min., is the author of 30 publications on addictions and biblical counseling. He serves as Nocatee Campus Pastor of Counseling at First Baptist Church, Jacksonville (FL).

Bible study on handling God's truth 🎯. Join us as we explore faith in Jesus, what healing from an addiction really means, and reconstruct recovery using biblical principles. Focusing on how Jesus totally transforms a person, our discussion about mental health and substance use is from a biblical Christian perspective, providing hope through scripture-based solutions. Stream now for practical biblical wisdom on freedom from addiction. 🙏

COUNSEL: Stream all past workshop videos today — 🔴https://theaddictionconnection.thinkific.com/

🎧Listen to full podcasts (New Episodes Weekly):

🔴https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/theaddictionconnection

Need Help Now? The Addiction Connection offers hope to those struggling with addiction. Start your search for biblical programs here.

https://www.theaddictionconnection.org/addiction-help/

Find a Program Near You:

https://www.theaddictionconnection.org/residential-programs/

https://www.theaddictionconnection.org/non-residential-programs/

What We Believe:

https://www.theaddictionconnection.org/statement-of-faith/

tags

addiction

biblical counseling

training

resources

Christian

addiction rehab

drug abuse

healing from addiction

relapse

mental health

alcoholism

the consumption of alcohol

care group study

Family Help For Addiction (A Care Group Study)

counselor training for addiction

ministry leadership

counselor training for addiction

counseling techniques for addiction

addiction resources

addiction recovery

addiction help podcast

overcoming addiction

bible based curriculum

addiction counselor training

12 steps

alcoholics anonymous

big book

the heart of addiction

connecting the hope of the gospel

counseling techniques for addiction

addiction help podcast

bible based curriculum

curriculum planning for group teaching

addiction counselor training

self improvement

addiction

self-injury

addiction recovery speakers

dopesick hulu

interview

mark e shaw

HHS addiction treatment

0:00 Intro

2:00 Mark E. Shaw

9:00 End/Final Thoughts

TAC Coffee Co. has officially launched!

Now you can enjoy great coffee while supporting the ministry of The Addiction Connection. Every bag purchased is a practical way to help us bring the Hope of the Gospel to the Heart of Addiction.

Order Today: https://bit.ly/TAC-COFFEE

Stream the video library for the addiction counselor.

COUNSEL — https://theaddictionconnection.thinkific.com/

🧑🏽‍💻🎉Donate to The Addiction Connection

theaddictionconnection.org/give/

Mark E. Shaw, D.Min., is the author of 30 publications on addictions and biblical counseling. He serves as Nocatee Campus Pastor of Counseling at First Baptist Church, Jacksonville (FL).

Bible study on handling God's truth 🎯. Join us as we explore faith in Jesus, what healing from an addiction really means, and reconstruct recovery using biblical principles. Focusing on how Jesus totally transforms a person, our discussion about mental health and substance use is from a biblical Christian perspective, providing hope through scripture-based solutions. Stream now for practical biblical wisdom on freedom from addiction. 🙏

COUNSEL: Stream all past workshop videos today — 🔴https://theaddictionconnection.thinkific.com/

🎧Listen to full podcasts (New Episodes Weekly):

🔴https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/theaddictionconnection

Need Help Now? The Addiction Connection offers hope to those struggling with addiction. Start your search for biblical programs here.

https://www.theaddictionconnection.org/addiction-help/

Find a Program Near You:

https://www.theaddictionconnection.org/residential-programs/

https://www.theaddictionconnection.org/non-residential-programs/

What We Believe:

https://www.theaddictionconnection.org/statement-of-faith/

tags

addiction

biblical counseling

training

resources

Christian

addiction rehab

drug abuse

healing from addiction

relapse

mental health

alcoholism

the consumption of alcohol

care group study

Family Help For Addiction (A Care Group Study)

counselor training for addiction

ministry leadership

counselor training for addiction

counseling techniques for addiction

addiction resources

addiction recovery

addiction help podcast

overcoming addiction

bible based curriculum

addiction counselor training

12 steps

alcoholics anonymous

big book

the heart of addiction

connecting the hope of the gospel

counseling techniques for addiction

addiction help podcast

bible based curriculum

curriculum planning for group teaching

addiction counselor training

self improvement

addiction

self-injury

addiction recovery speakers

dopesick hulu

interview

mark e shaw

HHS addiction treatment

0:00 Intro

2:00 Mark E. Shaw

7:00 End/Final Thoughts

TAC Coffee Co. has officially launched!

Now you can enjoy great coffee while supporting the ministry of The Addiction Connection. Every bag purchased is a practical way to help us bring the Hope of the Gospel to the Heart of Addiction.

Order Today: https://bit.ly/TAC-COFFEE

Stream the video library for the addiction counselor.

COUNSEL — https://theaddictionconnection.thinkific.com/

🧑🏽‍💻🎉Donate to The Addiction Connection

theaddictionconnection.org/give/

Mark E. Shaw, D.Min., is the author of 30 publications on addictions and biblical counseling. He serves as Nocatee Campus Pastor of Counseling at First Baptist Church, Jacksonville (FL).

Bible study on handling God's truth 🎯. Join us as we explore faith in Jesus, what healing from an addiction really means, and reconstruct recovery using biblical principles. Focusing on how Jesus totally transforms a person, our discussion about mental health and substance use is from a biblical Christian perspective, providing hope through scripture-based solutions. Stream now for practical biblical wisdom on freedom from addiction. 🙏

COUNSEL: Stream all past workshop videos today — 🔴https://theaddictionconnection.thinkific.com/

🎧Listen to full podcasts (New Episodes Weekly):

🔴https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/theaddictionconnection

Need Help Now? The Addiction Connection offers hope to those struggling with addiction. Start your search for biblical programs here.

https://www.theaddictionconnection.org/addiction-help/

Find a Program Near You:

https://www.theaddictionconnection.org/residential-programs/

https://www.theaddictionconnection.org/non-residential-programs/

What We Believe:

https://www.theaddictionconnection.org/statement-of-faith/

tags

addiction

biblical counseling

training

resources

Christian

addiction rehab

drug abuse

healing from addiction

relapse

mental health

alcoholism

the consumption of alcohol

care group study

Family Help For Addiction (A Care Group Study)

counselor training for addiction

ministry leadership

counselor training for addiction

counseling techniques for addiction

addiction resources

addiction recovery

addiction help podcast

overcoming addiction

bible based curriculum

addiction counselor training

12 steps

alcoholics anonymous

big book

the heart of addiction

connecting the hope of the gospel

counseling techniques for addiction

addiction help podcast

bible based curriculum

curriculum planning for group teaching

addiction counselor training

self improvement

addiction

self-injury

addiction recovery speakers

dopesick hulu

interview

mark e shaw

HHS addiction treatment

0:00 Intro

1:24 Dr. Mark E. Shaw

13:00 Wrap up

TAC Coffee Co. has officially launched!

Now you can enjoy great coffee while supporting the ministry of The Addiction Connection. Every bag purchased is a practical way to help us bring the Hope of the Gospel to the Heart of Addiction.

Order Today: https://bit.ly/TAC-COFFEE

Dr. Mark E. Shaw — Nocatee Pastor of Counseling @ First Baptist Church Jacksonville, FL

Stream the video library for the addiction counselor.

COUNSEL — https://theaddictionconnection.thinkific.com/

🧑🏽‍💻🎉Donate to The Addiction Connection

theaddictionconnection.org/give/

Mark E. Shaw, D.Min., is the author of 30 publications on addictions and biblical counseling. He serves as Nocatee Campus Pastor of Counseling at First Baptist Church, Jacksonville (FL).

Bible study on handling God's truth 🎯. Join us as we explore faith in Jesus, what healing from an addiction really means, and reconstruct recovery using biblical principles. Focusing on how Jesus totally transforms a person, our discussion about mental health and substance use is from a biblical Christian perspective, providing hope through scripture-based solutions. Stream now for practical biblical wisdom on freedom from addiction. 🙏

COUNSEL: Stream all past workshop videos today — 🔴https://theaddictionconnection.thinkific.com/

🎧Listen to full podcasts (New Episodes Weekly):

🔴https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/theaddictionconnection

Need Help Now? The Addiction Connection offers hope to those struggling with addiction. Start your search for biblical programs here.

https://www.theaddictionconnection.org/addiction-help/

Find a Program Near You:

https://www.theaddictionconnection.org/residential-programs/

https://www.theaddictionconnection.org/non-residential-programs/

What We Believe:

https://www.theaddictionconnection.org/statement-of-faith/

tags

addiction

biblical counseling

training

resources

Christian

addiction rehab

drug abuse

healing from addiction

relapse

mental health

alcoholism

the consumption of alcohol

care group study

Family Help For Addiction (A Care Group Study)

counselor training for addiction

ministry leadership

counselor training for addiction

counseling techniques for addiction

addiction resources

addiction recovery

addiction help podcast

overcoming addiction

bible based curriculum

addiction counselor training

12 steps

alcoholics anonymous

big book

the heart of addiction

connecting the hope of the gospel

counseling techniques for addiction

addiction help podcast

bible based curriculum

curriculum planning for group teaching

addiction counselor training

self improvement

addiction

self-injury

addiction recovery speakers

dopesick hulu

interview

mark e shaw

HHS addiction treatment

0:00 Intro

1:24 Dr. Mark E. Shaw

17:00 Wrap up

Dr. Mark E. Shaw — Nocatee Pastor of Counseling @ First Baptist Church Jacksonville, FL

0:00 Intro

1:24 Dr. Mark E. Shaw

17:00 Wrap up

Dr. Mark E. Shaw — Nocatee Pastor of Counseling @ First Baptist Church Jacksonville, FL