With 'After the Miracle,' Addiction Counselor Offers Real-World Advice About Recover

From 1995 until 2016, David Hampton served as the director of Worship and Arts Ministries at Christ Community Church in Franklin.

Nearly every Sunday, he led a congregation of 1,500 people in worship. From behind a piano, he accompanied worshipers in songs about redemption and grace, many of which he’d written or co-written himself.

In the public eye, he was an accomplished pianist, award-winning songwriter and musician, and a prominent worship leader. Privately, as he cared for his wife, who was debilitated by Multiple Sclerosis (she passed away in 2013) and raised his then-teenage daughter, he attempted to mask his personal pain with alcohol.

As a “professional Christian” (one who was making his living as a minister of the Gospel), he struggled to know where to turn for help.

“Where would I get the courage to admit that the public person I presented to the world didn’t exist?” he asked.

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Hampton eventually disclosed his struggles to a close friend, who then walked with him to a recovery group that met at the historic downtown location of Franklin First United Methodist Church.

“I did 90 of those meetings in 90 days (as well as hundreds more in the years to come),” Hampton said.

He’s been sober since 2005.

In 2013, Hampton wrote a book titled "Our Authentic Selves: Reflections on What We Believe and What We Wish We Believed" in an effort to help bridge the gap between the recovery community and the church.

In 2016, he resigned his position at Christ Community to devote himself full time to his private practice as a certified professional addiction/recovery coach through which he assists individuals and their families as they navigate the recovery process.

Through his own experiences and in working with clients, Hampton saw a need for a follow-up book that addressed the lesser-reported challenges of recovery.

“There are many resources out there to help addicts recover. But, the reality of recovery doesn’t look like the picture-perfect images on the front of the treatment center brochures. There are challenges and tensions in sobriety recovery and change,” Hampton said.

His latest book, "After the Miracle: Illusions Along the Path to Restoration" (Morgan James/New York) addresses what to expect when you’re recovering — the not-so-pretty realities of a life that is forever changed.

“For people in recovery, the reality is that their loved ones may not like the ‘new version’ of themselves that they’ve become. They may not throw a parade for them. And in some cases, their relationships may not survive,” Hampton said. “Normal will never be normal again. These are painful truths that are not readily discussed.”

Hampton’s book addresses these challenges with great candor and personal vulnerability. He shares stories of his own experience and wisdom he’s gained by helping others through their struggles.

“Everyone needs to understand what is driving substance use disorder. ("After the Miracle") is for addicts, alcoholics, families, employers and professionals. I use it every day in my private coaching practice,” said Cindy Blom, also a certified professional recovery coach. “David shares a painful journey with wit and altruism. His recovery work is life-giving.”

"After the Miracle: Illusions Along the Path to Restoration" is available on Amazon.com and barnesandnoble.com. For more information, visit www.davidbhampton.com.

Hampton’s office is at 5409 Maryland Way, Suite 305, Brentwood. He can be reached at 615-642-7054 or dbh4asong@comcast.net.

https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/local/williamson/2018/05/04/after-miracle-addiction-counselor-offers-real-world-advice-recovery/574724002/