Relapse

I’ve heard that some studies suggest that 90% of us relapse before finding lasting sobriety.

First, I don’t know if this is true. Second, this does NOT mean that YOU will! One of my pet peeves is hearing that “relapse is part of recovery.” I do not believe that. I believe that relapse is part of the disease. Since relapse can be a life or death proposition for us, I’ve quoted a study that’s been researched over the years that lists 11 warning signs that someone might be headed towards a relapse. I’ll just list one today.

11 Steps to a Relapse-

#1 – Change in Attitude – For some reason you decide that participating in your recovery program is just not as important as it was. You may begin to return to what some call “stinking thinking” or unhealthy or addictive thinking. Basically, you are not working your program as you did previously. You feel something is wrong, but can’t identify exactly what it is.

Before I relapsed after nearly 2 years, I began to listen more to what my new boyfriend thought than what my sponsor thought. MBF was jealous of the time I spent at meetings and with sponsees, so I cut back. It felt strange, but I did it anyway. That’s an example of me not putting my Higher Power first, not practicing my program, and putting distance between myself and AA! That was MY decision, and it was a wrong one, obviously.

I felt something was wrong, yet I did it anyway. Duh! I thought I was “safe” after less than 2 years!