Holiday Relapse

Posted by: drbutkins in twelve steps, treatment for drug addiction, powerless, honesty, alcohol addiction, addiction recovery, 12 step program on Dec 23, 2008 Print PDF

Relapse is relapse!  When we get sober, we must "burn in" the idea that we cannot drink or drug, no matter what.  We are powerless.  This means that we did it for years when it was not in our best interests.  We can't do it safely and predictably anymore.  This powerlessness can be seen in the unmanageable behaviors we created because we kept drinking and/or drugging after it became a habit that we could not stop.  The problems were seen in poor job performance (ask your boss or co-workers), failed relationships, divorces, fights, jail time, poor health or worse.  It can also be seen in smaller or lesser instances such as taking out the garbage beer cans or liquor bottles to the trash station or curb with that guilty feeling that disappears after you walk back to the house.  It can be seen in lesser examples such as poor sports skills, lessening motor coordination and hand-eye coordination, that tired feeling, morning hangovers, headaches, not looking people in the eyes when we talk to them, becoming the "death of the party".  The powerlessness and unmanageability must be seen.  Write the problems you have (had) with drinking and/or drugging.  Ask for the first step to be covered at a meeting in order to see other's bottoms.  Get this one burned in at a deep level.  If we could use safely, we probably still would be using. 

Next, in order to keep up your recovery, use my thinking.  My thinking is that, if I go (and I do) to meetings daily, I work better, I love better, I feel better, I make more money, I like myself, you like me...  It is just logical.  Whe w e take care of ourselves by going to meeting regularly and helping self and others, getting our messages of recovery and a peaceful spirit on a regular basis, we are insuring against a "slip" and also protecting our recovery.  We are practicing what works.  We are not thinking about how we can manage things.  We are turning the problems of the world over to our New Manager.

Relapse is all about the first step.  We must know and care that we are going to fall without our program and fellowship.

Love and peace,

Docpete, the imperfect therapist

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