Old Playmates

A client preparing to leave after completing his 90 day commitment next week told the group he “was nervous” about going home. He didn’t know what to expect.

Our group leader suggested he pay attention to how he felt, that he might be receiving an intuitive warning. It also came out that this client still has the phone numbers of his using buddies in his cell phone and is returning to the same neighborhood. Some in the group felt that returning to the same area and hanging out with the same friends might not be the wisest course of action.

           

            “It’s too easy to relapse when you have the same friends,” someone pointed out.

The client objected, saying his friends wouldn’t help him get high - they have too much respect for him because he’s trying to clean up. But most of the group members weren’t buying it –they felt he was putting himself in unnecessary jeopardy.

We’re often cautioned in the rooms about old playmates and playgrounds for a good reason: when we’re down and in distress it’s too easy to pick up again when we’re in the wrong company.

The beauty of being part of a recovery community is that others don’t hesitate to warn us when we’re in danger. We can decide if we want to pay attention.

I decided to pay attention a long time ago.