You Can't "Casually Enjoy" Something You Were Addicted To

After 30 years of fighting addiction, I know not to take chances, because my life hangs in the balance. I'll always be an addict, but today, I'm an addict in recovery. I had to get honest with myself, accept the reality of my situation, and change my way of life.

I don't think anybody can do it. This has nothing to do with will power or self control. "Once an addict, always an addict". I think what this statement means is that if you were once addicted to a substance, it will always be your weakness. Just a taste of this substance or being around it alone is enough to relapse.

I broke my ankle about 5 years after getting clean, and was worried about being on pain medication after my surgery. I did a lot of reading and thinking, and realized that my recovery was solid. I had faced my reasons for using and understood my addiction, and knew that I would never go back to that place again. I had no issue with the pain medication.

I think that once you are able to truly face your demons and not only acknowledge but accept yourself and the reasons you used, and you can move past it, there is no danger in returning.

I think that is the wrong way of thinking for some one recovery. They should never think I can handle it or its just a little. Thats exactly how they get back into the addiction. Also they recovered because they wanted to get it out of their system so why even go back and call it casual?

Seriously? Why would an addict want to casually enjoy the same drug he got addicted to in the past? If any addict does so, its just an excuse to go back to drugs. I used to be a chain smoker. I've quit smoking on several occasions. And then I remember those times when I used to feel 'It's already been so long. I'm not addicted anymore. Let's have a small puff. Just one.' And then booom.. I would go back to smoking again.

So, my point is clear. If you've quit an addiction, you did so because you didn't want to do it again. If you start that casual enjoyment thing, then sorry mate, but you're back to addiction.