Why do people with an aspiration for freedom voluntarily fall into slavery? Pondering over this, it’s clear the basis of drug and alcohol addiction is falsehood.

Some were deceived and convinced that they would never be addicted to drugs or alcohol and promised unbelievable pleasure, bliss and escape from reality. Some turned to such misfortune unconsciously, just by hanging around with their friends. Some considered it fashionable and wanted to be cool. Some promised themselves that they would try everything and thought they could quite harmful habits through will-power. Others say, “I’m just curious. I just want to try and feel what it’s like, but I would never get on drugs. Some way or the other, people seek a false answer.

By this self-delusion they think that drug or alcohol addiction is only typical of weak people. They say, “People fall into addiction, but it will never happen to me. I am a strong, free and forceful person and I will never be the slave of drugs and alcohol. I can give it up any given moment. However, everyone swallows the bait. People get addicted differently, but there is only one way – through lies and self-deceit.

Deception is the main weapon of the devil. God warned us in His Word that the devil is a killed from the beginning, and that he is a liar and father of lies (John 4:88). Drug and alcohol addiction is devil’s way to slavery, and it is a direct way to his ‘arms’. It is not only servile dependence of the flesh, but it is also a spiritual dependence on the powers of darkness. That is why man cannot liberate from this slavery alone. Medicine is helpless too. Some other intervention is needed here – a stronger spiritual power that would be able to resist the powers of darkness. This power is Jesus Christ who won victory over the powers of hell for the sake of us.

To illustrate this issue, we will discuss the story of the Galaiko family. It was a law-abiding family. The father served as a police man. The mother was a customs controller at the Borispol airport. Fedor Ephstafievich and Julia Semenovna met first while in primary school. When they grew up, the couple got married. They had peace and love in their family as well as rosy dreams of future. The couple was blessed with two sons. Alexander was born in 1966; Oleg in 1971. The parents were servants of the law and kept order in society. And of course, they tried to keep order in their family. The parents raised their children in a strict fashion in accordance with their lifestyle. However, it turn out otherwise, as the children grew up they became drug-addicts and law-breakers. They became a so-called sore spot of society.

How could this happen?! Nobody never imagined or thought of such a disaster. It makes us believe that strict disciplinary efforts were not enough to raise trouble-free posterity. The problem is that the children had no spiritual basement that would help them know good from bad. The foundation that would prevent them from being swayed by the “habits of the world.

Their mother, Julia Semenovna, analyzed the situation and stated that while raising their children, the parents were mostly concerned that their sons be well fed and clothed. The parents had no time to develop moral principles in their children. The parents were absorbed in work and providing for the family. Many families live in this way prioritizing material things and omitting the spiritual values, which eventually shape the destiny of the children.

Alexander started taking drugs and smoking dope when he was 18. Oleg, who was just 13, followed his example. Oleg, at just 15, was the first to be hooked on the needle. Alexander, 20, was next. They were in the narcotic system for about 7 years. According to the parents, the Galaiko home turned to hell.

All the happy dreams of the parents collapsed and were reduced to one constant thought– how to get their sons off the needle. This struggle had no positive results. The general feelings of hostility gradually morphed into hatred. The brothers were the only ones to support each other since they had a common addiction. Their father wanted to kill both sons and then commit suicide because the situation was hopeless, and it seemed impossible to save the sons from drug-addiction. Trying to save face he retired from militia. Troubles were building, and Fedor Ephstafievich started drinking, he says. It is hard to imagine what the mother had to endure over this tragedy: two drug-addicted sons and an alcoholic husband! All the powers of hell seemed to have descended upon the family. Neighbors believed that there were curses over the Galaiko family.

“Incredible situation,” anyone would agree with this statement. “Paradox,” others would say considering what the parents were before. Logically, this would have never have happened to such a family. Do you know how many high-ranking fathers suffer and keep secret the vices of their children?!... Such a problem can take place in both troubled families – underclass and the upper-class. The devil roams about the world like a roaring lion seeking prey (1 Peter 5:8). Having tried all possible means to break out of slavery and getting no positive results, people are doomed to fall to the bottom, and they do not know the way out. Thank God people have a solution! Jesus is the way to freedom. The Galaiko family testifies of it. Their day of freedom was February 9, 1995.

This is just the brief story of an unfortunate family. It is only an overview. How it all began, the way the family lived and how they broke out of this hell can only be recounted by those who endured this horror. We are proud to introduce a video interview with all members of the family made by “Emmanuel” Christian Association, and the family was pleased to answer the questions. This film clearly expresses the feelings and thoughts of all involved in this event. We will see the way the family went into the devil’s slavery and the way they were saved by the Lord. Going back to those times….

You have become acquainted with the Galaiko family and heard the testimony of their happy liberation. Currently, Oleg Galaiko is a pastor in the city of Borispol. The church has more than a thousands members. Julia Semenovna Galaiko is involved in Mercy Ministry, which helps orphans, widows, disabled and homeless. Fedor Ephstafievich Galaiko was delivered from alcoholism and serves in the church too. Alexander Galaiko served in the rehabilitation center for eight years, helping people become free from drug and alcohol addiction. Now he is a pastor in the city of Odessa. Alexander and Oleg are married and have happy families and wonderful children.

God – the Almighty Lord! He changes us and works miracles!

To complete the testimony of the Galaikos, we would like to introduce Dr. Victor Valensky.

Doctor Vilensky is a skilled expert in this field of medicine, which is proven by his service record. In 1985, he graduated from the medical faculty of the Kyiv Medicine Institute. He did a therapy internship in city clinic #9 at Bessarabka; worked as a research assistant and regional narcotic doctor in the Dnieprovsky region; coordinator of the 5th narcotic department – Stroyindustrii St.; head of the 4th narcotic department – Kollektornoy St.; psychotherapist at the Kyiv Psycho-neurological Clinic health center – Mayakovsky St.; therapist at a private narcologic walk-in clinic. From 1993 to 1998 he worked as chief manager of diagnosis clinic “KROK” at the Depeevsky Street. During his work there the department served and helped 12 thousand people suffering from drug and alcohol addiction and alcohol related psychological problems.

With such a rich professional experience Dr. Victor Vilensky speaks about the essence of drug-addiction and alcoholism. “I firmly claim that drug and alcohol addictions are far from ordinary diseases like the flue or neurasthenia. Drug-related diseases are connected with human free will, behavior and lifestyle. Each time a man makes the choice – to take a psychoactive substance or not. The Bible calls wrong choices a sin. That is the true essence of drug-addiction and alcoholism: sin – rebellion against the Lord. Furthermore, it is considered worship to Satan. That man takes his health, safety, time, money and the interests of his family to the altar of his enemy and master.

Frequently a sick man does not realize this and he is not aware of the drudgery he been caught in. The beginning of salvation is a crucial moment when a man hears and realizes the truth of the situation, and that he is a slave of sin, and that Jesus Christ is the only one who can help him. The Gospel is an answer for drug and alcohol addicted people. Jesus wrote this solution with His blood and it is foolish to waste time and money for any other medicine, which is of no benefit. When in darkness you need nothing but light. When you are drowning, you need to swim out. When you fall down, you need to stand up. Jesus is the Light, Savior and Support.

If you, your relative or friend need to be healed from drug or alcohol addiction – go seek Jesus, rush to Him. He has no faults and failures. You have real hope for salvation. God says, “Then you will know that I am the Lord; those who hope in me will not be disappointed” (Isaiah 49:23). “Come to me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Mathew 11:28). Come to Jesus as He awaits you.”

Over 2000 people have gained freedom from drug and alcohol addiction through Love Rehabilitation Center at the Embassy of God. Is there any other clinic with such results?

“But this is what the Lord says: "Yes, captives will be taken from warriors, and plunder retrieved from the fierce; I will contend with those who contend with you, and your children I will save.” (Isaiah 49:25).

If you need or would like to talk to Julia Semenovna or other members of her family, you can contact:

Alexander Galaiko in Odessa city at (0482) 67-25-30.

The Embassy of God at: (044) 553-15-38; (044) 266-14-15.