For those who have ever faced any addiction and found recovery from it, I truly believe there are always going to be certain times in life when the going gets rough and the ego starts attempting to tell you all over again to return to it for a little ease and comfort. But that’s precisely when a recovery tool can be utilized and that’s to think the relapse through.
What I mean by thinking the relapse through is placing serious though to what will probably happen each step along the way when going down the rabbit hole of re-engaging in the addiction.
With drinking, it starts of course with the first drink. Ahhh that ease and comfort feels so great and surely those problems we have in life can be addressed later. And maybe for a while we’re able to manage our intake and regulate the number of drinks we consume. But then one of those problems we’re trying so desperately not to think about in life grows worse and we decide to have an all-out binge because of it. And that’s when the dominos begin to really fall. We get into a fight. We seriously hurt someone else or ourselves. We get caught driving while intoxicated. We lose our job. We go to jail. The list is endless of the unfortunate consequences of our relapse back into our alcoholism. The good thing though is that many who use this tool and think their alcoholic relapse through, often find themselves no longer having the urge after doing so.
I’ve seen this pattern hold true with any other addiction as well. Thinking about returning to a sex and love addiction. Well that can lead to the loss of a marriage, getting arrested, being robbed, or acquiring a sexually transmitted disease. How about going back to a gambling addiction? Well that can lead to the loss of one’s home, the ability to feed and clothe oneself, and possibly even having violent bookies come after you. And then there are those who consider returning to a drug addiction. Sadly, doing so can lead to overdose, permanent health issues, and possibly even death.
The fact is, with each of the addictions I’ve ever been tempted to go back to, I find myself using this recovery tool whenever I see my thinking going down this path. As soon as I’m tempted, I think the relapse through and remember all of the terrible consequences that can and most likely will happen the more I fall deeper and deeper back into the addiction.
So is that initial relapse for just one more time worth it? I’ve thought it through far too many times and even when the going gets as rough as it has for me, especially in recent months, I’ve found no desire to watch the chips fall any worse for me, until I have none left at all.
Thank God for this invaluable, but simple recovery tool.
Peace, love, light, and joy,
Andrew Arthur Dawson
