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]

GA great post

[GA Guy]

Plenty of people are sober and clean but not in recovery. There is an absolute difference. Drinking and drugging are a result of the disease...not the cause. We have to have recovery care in place to change the actions we do every day that contribute to the disease. We have hundreds of thoughts every day that can lead to relapse. The key is getting into aftercare and recovery so we can learn how to deal with these thoughts. So, I agree Avisg, relapse has no place in recovery. It's a symptom of addiction. That first thought isn't our fault...the first action is.