For some reason, she doesn't understand that it's not a good idea to be in a relationship with a former using partner – especially during the first 90 days of recovery. Plus, it’s against TLC rules for romantic partners to pursue their relationship while they’re in the early stages of the program.
We ask them to be patient and think of how much better it'll be once they're both sober. But most of this kind of reasoning went right over our client's head. That's because she's so caught up in the moment, in her passion for the other person, that her responsibilities to her recovery are secondary.
On more than one occasion she's attempted to communicate with the partner, a violation of our rules.
But because of her emotional immaturity she worships at the altar of her feelings, believing that how she feels about her sweetheart is more important than anything else.
One thing we teach at the treatment center is that we must first be able to have love and esteem for ourselves before we have something to give the other person.
But sometimes the only time clients can feel good is if they’re involved in some kind of a relationship, regardless if it interferes with their recovery.
Comments? schwary@msn.com
