Relapse is it part of recovery ?

[avisg]

We see alot of posts where members relapse and other members say hey its ok its part of recovery is it or is it part of addiction . A very wise man said to me " Relapse starts with a thought. We're not responsible for that first thought, but we are for that first action.  "it's a part of recovery". NO IT'S NOT. It's a part of ADDICTION.If you are in your recovery program and you are really working it you don't have to continually relapse .You have to get yourself into a good program and be accountable for yourself and your actions with that can come long term sobriety .So where we can be supportive to all of our members  should we be continually telling them its normal to relapse or should we be giving them the tools to get and stay in recovery?

[avisg]

nope i had one at 6 months because I was white knuckling it now i have almost 1000 days

[Jimmy1975]

Here is a question for everyone ! Is there anyone on this forum who has stopped and NEVER relapsed ? Lets say longer then a year . I'm just curious as it took me three times to get to were I am today .

[dominosarah]

Here is my view on relapse.......Doesnt matter if it is for one day, one pill or one drink.  That is all i will need to stir the beast that lives within me.  Each one us may view this differently and that is ok.  All i know is in my world there is no such thing as just one.....Recovery is the answer, no matter how you look at it........sara

[vicki595]

Agreed.  It's the rare,if any,person who can just walk away and never use again,just based on the decision to stop.
Addiction is a horrible disease and requires care and the help of,sometimes,many resources.  I believe this completely.  Personally,I now have 5 resources. I may wean a few over time but I want to cover every base,from every discipline,and thankful that I have the ability to do that.
V.

[GA Guy]

I also just want to say that just because I say that relapse isn't a part of recovery doesn't mean I don't think the individual isn't motivated to stay clean. It took me years of relapse to get into recovery, and I learned from each of them. A relapse shows that the person has motivation to get clean. The problem lies with the end goal. Most people strive for abstinence, not recovery. Abstinence without recovery only leads to relapse.

[GA Guy]

A couple of quotes from my readings...

Relapse cannot occur until the addict acknowledges the presence of addictive disease, recognizes the need for total abstinence, and makes a decision to maintain sobriety with the assistance of a recovery program. Periods of abstinence before recognition of addiction are symptoms of the disease.

Abstinence is only a prerequisite to recovery. It is not recovery. Recovery requires the appropriate treatment of long and short-term withdrawal symptoms, and the physical, psychological, and social problems caused by the addiction. It is switching from a lifestyle centered around using, to a lifestyle centered around healthy living.

Sometimes people recognize that they are addicted and sincerely attempt abstinence but do not understand that they need help from others and a recovery program to maintain abstinence. They just quit. They are surprised when they begin using again, not realizing that sobriety requires more than just not using.