Embracing the “Failure” of Relapse
Let’s get something straight relapse is not part of the process! It does happen often but let’s not get confused. Now if perhaps, you do relapse in recovery there is always something you can learn from this. “It’s failure that gives you the proper perspective on success.” – Ellen DeGeneres.
When coming back from a relapse make sure you take the time to point out the behavior patterns that led up to your relapse. You would talk to a sponsor, sober support, or therapist to help you recognize these patterns that presented themselves but that you may have not been aware of. Once you are aware of these patterns you can challenge them and discuss what could have been done differently. The first step of change is awareness.
Remember that just because you relapsed that does not mean you have failed at recovery. It’s not about how you fall but how you get yourself back up. Relapse could be a learning process for you. Most of the times when someone relapses they realize that they no longer enjoy the high and are desperate to get clean again. Ah! The gift of desperation! This is when the pain gets great enough that you look for change. Pain can be our greatest motivator. It is only when we fail that we can learn from our mistakes so that when we try again we know what needs to be done differently.
My adopted mother is 72 years old
She claims to see her dead family members in the clouds an talks to them like there alive,says she sees dead pets an has a homeless family living across the fence in the yard which there is none talks to a wooden doll an act like it answers her says her family members appear as animals an talk to her has no concept that her actions have consequences walks up an slaps people yells at people does not bath takes a whore bath once a week still smells like shit can’t cook without burning food sits out in hot sun all day than yells she sick thinks she always right than trys to fight you if you correct her