Field Guide to Life
Learn about Relapse
Remember that addicts—even those with years of sobriety—must never use alcohol or other drugs again. Not ever. That said, some people do slip and use again, even though they have worked hard on recovery for months, years, or decades. Remember that if you do slip, you can stop. Don’t give up on yourself just because you had a setback. There’s still time for you to move right back into your recovery. Don’t minimize all the progress you’ve made—go right back to the Twelve Steps and start again. Learn from your mistakes and avoid them in the future. But don’t use this as an excuse to think you can use “just one more time.” Any use—even one time—is very serious. Avoid taking that first drink or hit at all costs.
Action for the Day
Work with your sponsor or recovery group to form a relapse response plan. You can save your plan in the Relapse tool of this app. Touch the Relapse button on the homepage and then select My Relapse Response Plan. Entering your relapse response plan into this app means you will have a copy with you at all times. Your plan might look like this:
If I slip, I will:
stop using
call my sponsor immediately
attend the next available Twelve Step meeting.
Thought for the Day
“I have the courage to change.”
