And while the man wasn't his sponsor, he was a mentor who encouraged him to stay in recovery. He even helped him out with small amounts of money when he first came to the program.
I can tell he's disappointed and heartbroken because the friend started using again. It's almost as if he can't believe it.
It's difficult when those we look up to, those who encouraged us to get into recovery, lose their own sobriety.
And while we may feel for them I believe it's deeper than that. When someone we consider a strong person - a role model - falls it makes us feel vulnerable.
After all, if someone this far along relapses, what are my chances? This person had all this knowledge, yet look at him.
The bottom line, though, is no one ever poured liquor down our throats. Or forced us to smoke crack. Or shoot heroin.
We're always a party to our own relapse. We stop listening to what we tell others. We don't use our support group. Our gratitude is gone.
I encourage our client to keep working the program and he'll be alright.
We're always a party to our own relapse. We stop listening to what we tell others. We don't use our support group. Our gratitude is gone.
I encourage our client to keep working the program and he'll be alright.
