Just as the walls of Jerusalem had to be restored for the city’s well-being, protection, and livelihood—the walls and gates of an addict’s life must also be restored. So over the course of the 12-week-program clients learn about each of the 12 gates revealed in the book of Nehemiah and that are expounded upon in other books of the Bible.

As you learn about each of these gates, you will pray specific prayers, take specific actions and learn about the spiritual, emotional and physical aspect of addiction. You will see how each phase of restoration is reliant upon the other phases.  As the gates of your life are restored you will gain new boundaries for your new life.  You’ll become empowered to build trust in yourself and others, and they will help you plan for a future of chemical-free living. Rather than being enslaved to your addiction and inward thinking, you’ll learn to look to Jesus and to others for help now and in the future.  Never again will your life be self-centered, but will be Christ and other-centered.

Here are the 12 Gates of Recovery™, the area of restoration that each gate leads to, and the step of action required of the addict:

Gate One: Valley Gate

Area of Recovery: Reality

Step of Restoration: I need help.

Gate Two: East Gate

Area of Recovery:: Authority

Step of Restoration: God can help.

Gate Three: Old Gate

Area of Recovery: Beliefs

Step of Restoration: I can believe.

Gate Four: Inspection Gate

Step of Restoration: Self

Step of Action: I can look.

Gate Five: Fountain Gate

Area of Recovery: Trust

Step of Restoration: I can tell.

Gate Six: Horse Gate

Area of Recovery: Empowerment

Step of Restoration: I can change.

Gate Seven: Prison Gate

Area of Recovery: Freedom

Step of Restoration: I can walk away.

Gate Eight: Dung Gate

Area of Recovery: Future

Step of Restoration: I can let go.

Gate Nine: Fish Gate

Area of Recovery: Relationships

Step of Restoration: I can give.

Gate Ten: Vendor Gate

Area of Recovery: New harvest

Step of Restoration: I can sew.

Gate Eleven: Sheep Gate

Area of Recovery: Belonging

Step of Restoration: I can help.

Gate Twelve: Water Gate

Area of Recovery: Joy

Step of Restoration: I can speak.

The Ultimate Goal: Restoration

Through the process of learning about the 12 Gates, areas of recovery, and pursuing the necessary steps of restoration, Bethesda Recovery clients find healing from past wounds, recovery from addiction, and restoration in four key areas of their lives:
•     To God
•     To themselves
•     To their families
•     To their church and community