Recovering from addiction through a focus on the Savior is the theme of the 17th annual Heart t' Heart conference in Orem.

Heart t' Heart, an LDS addictions recovery organization that helps people overcome addiction through a focus on the gospel, is sponsoring the conference Aug. 15-16 at Utah Valley University.

"Come Boldly Unto the Throne of Grace" is the theme of the conference, which is open to anyone who registers and will feature a series of workshops given over a two-day period. Registrants are welcome to attend either one or both of the days.

Full registration for both days is $45, not including the price of meals. However, registration for first-time participants is free.

Colleen Harrison, founder of Heart t' Heart, said the LDS Family Addiction Recovery Program deals with "hard" addictions like alcohol, pornography and drugs, but Heart t' Heart still serves an important purpose.

"Heart t' Heart continues to offer recovery support for 'softer' addictions such as unhealthy eating, compulsive spending etc.," Harrison said. She said anyone with any type of addiction is invited to participate in Heart t' Heart's program.

The conference will feature meetings and activities, but the majority of time will be spent in workshops presented by volunteers who have taken part in Heart t' Heart's program to overcome addictions.

The speakers will lead discussions on dealing with various types of addictions, from substance abuse to sexual. Other workshops will be purely doctrinal in nature, dealing with subjects like turning one's life over to God and using the teachings of Christ to fight addiction.

Addiction does not have to be as intense as drugs and pornography, Harrison said. Addictions can include perfectionism, working too much and overeating. Those seeking help with any kind of addiction can find assistance through the 12-step Heart t' Heart program, which offers a "spiritual, Christ-centered path to recovery," according to the organization's Web site.

"The program is very focused on accessing the power of the atonement of Christ," Harrison said. "It has a very powerful effect of internalizing religion for people. It's an inside-out change."

The 12-step program is based on the program set up by Alcoholics Anonymous in 1935 for alcohol recovery. The program was modified to correspond with LDS doctrine and terminology and is meant to include any kind of addiction. Anyone, LDS or not, is invited to participate in the program, but the steps are purposely aligned with teachings and doctrines of the LDS Church.

"While not affiliated directly with the LDS Church, Heart t' Heart upholds and supports all of its doctrines and teachings," according to a statement on the Heart t' Heart Web site. "We encourage full participation in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, where many of our needs are met."

Each one of the 12 steps to addiction recovery is spiritually focused, and includes steps such as recognizing man's dependence on God and making the decision to turn one's life over to the will of God. The final step involves a spiritual awakening and reaching out to help others who are suffering from addiction.

"There are different ways to get help with challenges," Harrison said. "One way is to meet with others who are suffering from the same challenge. In a group atmosphere, we can really strengthen one another."

Heart t' Heart has daily anonymous group meetings on its Web site, and offers various books and CDs that deal with addiction recovery.

"The conference is a great shot in the arm," Harrison said. "There is so much strength that can be gained and so much to take out of this experience."

More information about registration and the conference can be found at www.heart-t-heart.org.

Copyright Brigham Young University 12 Aug 2008