Treatment

Question:  I have been going to A.A. for a number of years now, but every couple of months I slip. I put together a year of continuous sobriety three years ago and felt so good about myself. I have a sponsor and I go to meetings. Am I going to be one of those people about whom they say “He could never make it”?

Answer:  It would be a pity if that were true. Take heart – many others have gone through this same relapse history and have made it. I suggest that you read the beginning of Chapter 5 in the Big Book of A.A., which starts by saying that “Rarely have we seen a person fail who has thoroughly followed our path”. The emphasis throughout this first paragraph is rigorous honesty. If, with courage and with total truth, you take the steps with absolutely no reservation, and eliminate those things from your life which, in good conscience, can’t be reconciled with living the steps, you will stay sober. Also remember, “You alone must do it, but you can’t do it alone!”

Related posts:

1. Are there people who don’t make it in AA?
2. What happens if I hold secrets?

One Response to “Why do I keep relapsing?”

1. John T. says:

   January 5, 2012 at 6:16 am

   Thank you for explaining all this to people. It is a great help! A big thank you for this post and to your website at all. I just loved it.