Norm Wielsh - Former Cop - From Opioid Addict to Prison to Clean and Sober with Christ-Centered Healing

Show Notes

I was a police officer for 26 years. Sixteen of those as an undercover narcotic agent rising to the position of Commander. I experienced many traumatic incidents during my career. In 1998, I was diagnosed with an incurable neuro-muscular disease that caused the loss of feeling, mobility, and strength in my hands and feet. After 30 surgeries to stabilize my feet, I developed an addiction to opioids. I was diagnosed with work-related PTSD, then my daughter was diagnosed with a serious illness with a poor prognosis. This caused me to go into a downward spiral that I never recovered from. After a failed suicide attempt, I made a series of poor decisions that landed me in federal prison. With the probability that I was going to go to prison and may die there, I answered the calling of God. God placed people in my path to teach me the gospel. I had never believed in God, but I knew that God was calling me to minister to police officers who are suffering from trauma.

While in prison, I obtained a master’s degree in Theology and Christian Counseling, a Doctorate Degree in Christian Counseling, and a Certificate as a California Registered Alcohol and Drug

Addiction Counselor. While in prison, I counseled inmates, preached God’s word, and led bible studies. God healed my daughter and healed my PTSD through the Christ-Centered Healing

process. They experienced God’s healing power and transformation through biblical principles. After just over 8 years of a 14-year sentence, I was released due to Covid-19.

I was a police academy instructor and considered an expert in police tactics, pursuit driving, narcotic enforcement, the first responder culture, and first responder PTSD. I often speak to those who are suffering from traumatic experiences and who suffer from addiction. I am working as an Alcohol and Drug Addiction Counselor and do Pastoral Care in a men’s residential rehabilitation facility in Northern California.

I wrote the book called, Christ-Centered Healing of Trauma: Healing a Broken Heart and just finished the companion book, Christ-Centered Healing of Trauma: Study Guide, that’s perfect for church small groups. These books are on-sale now at www.ChristCenteredHealingBook.com.