@SirTophamHat: Yup, and eventually reaching a realistic balance of moderate usage is extremely rewarding and reminds you how powerful willpower can be. Not everyone can go back to using low-dose benzos or kratom/low dose pills, but don't be too hard on yourself. The most effective alternative to abstinence is slowing down and moderating your usage, since there are no negative-reinforcement effects (withdrawal) and less positive-reinforcement effects (you stop chasing the high on opiates/benzos, they become more utilitarian and actually work better to treat anxiety/pain).
This is where cannabis is can be so useful for recovering addicts who are now using low dose-benzos/Rx opiates/kratom. It gives you something to use recreationally, to be able to have something to play around with. This is why cannabis has always been my DOC. I use very-low-dose benzos and low dose opiates or kratom medicinally but those are tools, not toys. If I want to get ripped and play some video games or watch a movie or listen to some music, I'll grab take a dab or two and get really stoned with very few side-effects, a low economic penalty, and a safety margin unparalleled by most recreational drugs.