Relapse I

TRIGGERS

A. Denial

1. Positive expectancy:

This is a return of a form of denial. The belief that drinking or using again will kill you doesn't necessarily destroy the idea that doing so will "work for you again." The decision to not drink or use must first be translated into an intermediate appropriate action before it results in actual abstinence. Denial plus evasion results in euphoric recall of drinking or using.

B. Social Set Ups

2. Lack of communication/isolation

This results in becoming completely self-absorbed. Recovery is an "I can't but we can" program. Addiction is a disease of isolation. When we isolate, the Committee starts talking to us and telling us what a piece of crap we and other people are. The Committee is your disease. It's a thief, it's a liar. The people willing to reach out, to go to meetings, to be active tend to be the ones that make it. If sobriety is to be your life's highest priority then what's an hour or hour and a half a day? When recovery ties weaken the Committee gets to work. Being active in your recovery is like depositing recovery money or spiritual money in the bank. Deposit more than you withdraw and you don't ever have to again become emotionally/morally/spiritually bankrupt.