relapse

Mark, Aaron, and Spencer discuss the Recovery Topic of Relapse.  Aaron and Mark shared that they have not relapsed since they began their time in the fellowship.  Spencer, an Al-Anon, shared that he has experienced relapse in terms that his loved-one has relapsed before.  Spencer shared that when he experienced his loved-one’s relapse, he fell back on old ways in terms of trying to control the situation.  Spencer also shared that he never saw any of the signs of relapse and his denial prevented him from seeing clearly. Spencer shared that he also was over confident in terms of his loved one’s sobriety.  Spencer eventually started to work his Al-anon program by going to more meetings.

Aaron shared that he never really tried to get sober before he came to the program.  Mark shared about his experience with over confidence in recovery.  Over confidence led him into a situation where he thought about drinking, but he called his sponsor first.  Mark learned a valuable lesson, stay accountable and always beware that relapse is only a sip away.  Aaron shared that when a friend relapses and returns to the fellowship, he notices that regret and shame is such a big part of their early re-recovery.

Spencer shared that when his loved-ones relapsed, he had to learn how to manage his craving to control the other person’s behavior.  Mark shared from the Big Book on page 34.  The lesson is to never get to Hungry, Angry, Lonely, nor Tired (HALT).