Topic for thought

Today we start the last three steps, which are sometimes known as ‘the maintenance steps’. This phrase infers that having completed the first nine steps we are now in a much healthier place and now, in order to maintain our recovery we simply need to apply Steps 10, 11 and 12. In some rehabs they call Step 10 ‘Relapse Prevention’.

The Issue

The purpose of Step 10 is that in continuing to write a personal inventory and, when we are wrong, promptly admitting it and apologising to the person concerned we learn to detect and prevent relapse. By facing in truth the secrets and lies that confront us on a daily basis we will keep ourselves on the level path of recovery.

The Goals

• On completion of Step 10 we should be able to...

• Realise that although relapse is always a possibility, I don’t have to!

• Realise that when I am doing well it is then I am more likely to get it all wrong

• Realise daily personal inventory will help prevent relapse

• Realise that having the humility to immediately accept responsibility for, and apologise promptly for my mistakes will help prevent relapse

• Realise I can see relapse coming before I actually give into the specific temptation

• Realise it is possible to say NO to the temptation

• Realise that certain places, situations and people may now need to be ‘off limits’ for good