Relapse

Relapse: To slip or fall back into a former condition, especially after improvement or seeming improvement.

How great it would be if everyone who walked into a room of Alcoholics Anonymous stayed sober for the rest of their lives. As people who believe that perfection in all aspects of our lives is attainable, we like the idea of a one hundred percent success rate. It sounds sexier than ninety percent. It blows away fifty percent and it dances all over the grave of three or four percent. Which is probably the most accurate number.

We need to let people know that relapse happens to some of us. It’s important that folks who drink again can return to our rooms and be welcomed warmly and with open arms. Members shouldn’t judge, criticize, or whisper in the corner about the trials and tribulations of their fellows.

It is not, however, OK. We want to be sympathetic but not too sympathetic. We don’t want to enable anyone by softening the blow from the hammer of truth. There is no need to drink again; it is the result of being lackadaisical about the work of the recovery process. We don’t give anyone a pass or a break or a kiss – we direct them back to the solution. We confront them. What happened? What were you doing that you shouldn’t have been doing? What actions were you neglecting that needed your attention?

What step are you on? If you hesitate the truth is revealed.