The Academic Foundation of From the Well

From the Well is a Christ-centered guide to recovery and renewal for people who want more than white‑knuckled sobriety. It began as an academic research project exploring the patterns, practices, and spiritual foundations that support long‑term change. That work draws on biblical scholarship, contemporary recovery literature, behavioral science, and lived experience to trace how people actually heal over time—emotionally, relationally, and spiritually.

As the research unfolded, the same themes kept surfacing: identity and shame, discipline and desire, the power of honest community, and the role of faith in sustaining hope when willpower runs out. From the Well weaves those themes together with my own story of addiction, surrender, and ongoing sobriety. The book pairs grounded research with personal testimony so readers can see not only what tends to work in recovery, but why it works, and how it can be practiced in the reality of daily life.

This is not a clinical manual and it is not a quick-fix devotional. From the Well is a research‑based, faith‑centered exploration of how lives are rebuilt when we return to the true source of living water. Each chapter connects biblical principles, recovery insights, and real‑world stories to show how Christ meets people in the middle of their thirst, not just at the end of their success. Along the way it addresses the questions many people in recovery quietly carry: Who am I now? What do I do with my past? How do I live without constant hiding, managing, and performing?

The book is written for several kinds of readers: the person still in the struggle who fears change may be impossible; the newly sober person who suspects that abstinence alone is not the same thing as wholeness; and the friends, spouses, pastors, and church communities who want to walk with people in recovery with both truth and compassion. Whether you are beginning a new chapter, rebuilding after a setback, or supporting someone you love, From the Well is meant to be a clear, honest companion on the road.

If you are looking for a Christ‑centered path through addiction into renewal, this book was written with you in mind.

Buy From the Well on Amazon and start reading today.

If you would like ongoing reflections on recovery, updates about new resources, and behind‑the‑scenes notes on the writing and research, you can subscribe to FromTheWell.org below. Your support helps this work reach the people who need it most.