Define relapse....to you.

[Ethan-ate]

This could be a sober living post but didn't want to start any triggers.

If you have been a addict on whatever DOC in the past and have recovered-(well done!)
What would you consider a relapse, I. E....

You start to divulge sporadically and eventually spiral back into old habits either thru a party atmosphere/peers etc or a negative incident in your life that pushes you to seek solace in previous habits.

Or...

Do you believe depending on your self control/support group/responsibilities that if you had the occasional slip up and you chalked it down to a rarity, did not fret and continued to be well.

Example again as in a former alcoholic enjoying a few glasses of wine at Christmas and not craving a huge session afterwards.

....or watching a movie and popping a xanax as a previous benzo addict...because you want too.

Are you someone who believes complete abstinence is key or that you are now in control enough to responsibly enjoy a rare intake.

I realise answers to this question will vary incredibly depending on the person and duration/intensity and DOC but I am interested to hear those than simply self justify and those that can bear responsibility and those that easily or perhaps not so easily just say no.

I love BL for its lack of judgement and variety of character so this question has always intrigued me.

For the record I am in a recovery phase right now myself but very early perhaps easy stages.

Thanks for any input!

 

[PotatoMan]

Homeless ----> DC

 

[rujex]

For me a relapse is not achieving what i promised to myself.

I try to quit smoking for the last 2-3 years and its always the same. I am totally convinced that this time it will work and then i start to cheat to myself: telling me that in respect to the circumstances its OK to have another smoke and so on. Eventually i just jump from excuse to excuse.

Thinking that its not good to be hard with oneself, i take the relapses kind of easy; thinking the next try will work out, but it doesn't.......

On the other hand i think its also great, because this behavior limits somehow my intake. Finally realizing that this thinking is another attempt to cheat on myself, as my goal is to be a non smoker.

I noticed this kind of patterns - regardless of the drug - at lot of people, too. Guess the only way to overcome is, is a strong will. What i am currently lacking, because my situation is so stressful at the moment. Hoping that it will not be stressful in the near future, i convince myself that i will stop in the future easily ----- blablabla ------ I am out to have a smoke