Should Relapse be expected? Some Say YES!!!

Posted by: avinash2809 on Jan 16, 2011 Print PDF

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"You have to look at it not as a failure of treatment, but as part of learning to manage the disease," Dr. Friedman said. "The standard course of recovery is multiple relapses." After rehab release, more uncertainty for Lohan -Associated Press January 2, 2011

"The standard course of recovery is multiple relapses.”

Dr. Friedman is a qualified addiction specialist by all means. I have the utmost respect for men and women who dedicate their lives to the recovery field. In the article Dr. Friedman brings up a lot of great points in regards to recovery.But isn’t that a scary comment? I mean talk about giving alcoholics/addicts a way out. I don’t believe the Book or every treatment center believes that relapsing multiple times is the standard course of treatment.

(Changes your view on spending $30,000 a month to get a loved one in a treatment center, huh? Multiply it by 2 or 3 and they you know that one you care for has got a shot! )

A mentor of mine says, “I know I can relapse again, I just don’t know if I’ve got another sobriety in me.”Relapse doesn’t have to be a part of to sobriety process. It shouldn’t be standard for treatment or recovery.I know many people that are chronic “relapsers” who would agree. There are many reasons we go out again, seldom a good one!

The court systems have acknowledged alcoholism and addiction as a disease in multiple cases and I’m thankful for that. These judges have recognized that someone with offenses that are alcohol and drug related should be rehabilitated rather than thrown in prison and part of the “system.” Our society believing the standard for of recovery includes individuals relapsing as just “part of the process,” can be devastating.
Unfortunately, relapses occur. That’s the truth and we know it. Some of us have even experienced it. It’s unfortunate when someone goes out, and it’s scary. Some friends and fellows of ours don’t just mosey on back for their second, third or fourth shot. They die.
Again, I’m not here to say relapsing isn’t ok, because it can happen to anyone including myself. But accepting it as an expected part of the recovery process can be a very dangerous back door for our friends, families, fellows and newcomers in our rooms.

I am not an addiction specialist, I am not a PH.D. I am grateful sober member of Alcoholics Anonymous. God willing, statements like these will not hinder or change the integrity of 12-step programs. I believe that it won’t. That’s my opinion, and I’m sticking to it.

“Rarely have we seen a person fail who has thoroughly followed our path.” Chapter 5 –Alcoholics Anonymous.

-Avinash Satz

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pphillipsppp said:

pphillipsppp
 ...
Well I sure hope that relapse shouldn't be expected because after 13 years I would like to think that I can trudge this road of recovery until I die. I personally believe that by definition a relapse is a lapse of recovery, or quite frankly - the opposite of recovery. Turn your back on recovery, or stop recovery, etc. etc. Having said all that I must say that if you do relapse, you should get your self back in recovery as soon as possible, because from my past experience with 1000's of addicts and alcoholics is that frequently they don't make it back alive. I pray that anyone contemplating relapse would weigh the risks, and concider that sometimes they happen. The jails, institutions, and death thingy, not to mention loss of children, jobs, friends, etc., etc., etc.
 
February 09, 2012
Votes: +0

AnnP said:

AnnP
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Love reading your posts smilies/smiley.gif
 
January 18, 2012
Votes: +0

Lovinlife said:

Lovinlife
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I say no that relapse should not be an expectation. Many many people in recovery have not relapse since they stop drinking or using. If a person relapse, they just need to get back to the rooms of recovery.
 
January 20, 2011
Votes: +2

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