Positive Move?

Today I ran into a TLC client who reports he’s moving because he can save $200 a month at a new location. When he came to us a few months ago his life was a mess. For the first few days he was so anxious that he almost left a few times.

But after attending counseling for a while he settled into a positive routine. He went to meetings. He started going to the gym as part of his treatment. He had a good sponsor and attended a lot of meetings. He built a wardrobe and bought a bicycle. All in all, his life seemed good.

But, as it says in the literature, our disease is “cunning, baffling, and powerful.” It can sneak up on us in strange ways. And one of those ways is that it tells us we need a better situation - that things aren’t okay right now. It tells us life would be better if we had more money, or more stuff, a better apartment, or car, and so forth.

But once we make these seemingly positive moves we might learn again that we alcoholics and addicts have only one problem: our disease. And nothing will control it other than focusing – not on stuff – but on the principles of living sober. If material comforts can possibly interrupt what is working we might want to take a look at it.

In the case of this client – who's in very early recovery - I may be totally wrong.  This move could be exactly what he needs to enhance his sobriety. But one thing I am sure of:  his primary issue is not money or lack of stuff.

Even today, when I’m within days of being sober 22 years, I don’t make any decision that has a chance of negatively impacting my recovery. No matter how positive it seems.