Milkman's Reflections - Jan 13 - Progress.. not perfection

Milkman's Reflections - Jan 13 - Progress.. not perfection


Identifying the warning signs of relapse can and will show us our denial. Doing something about the warning signs will help us to recover. For example: As alcoholics/addicts, we have learned to lie as a means of protection for our using, feelings, thinking, and behavior. When we stop using, we may stop lying about it, but we will continue to lie about the rest. And addict at any point in recovery, if he has maintained awareness of his/her denial, will notice when he/she lies. The reasons for lying are always the same. "I don't want you to know what I really feel, think, or do." Recovery does not assume that we will stop lying, but rather teaches us to go back and tell the truth after we have lied. When we practice this enough, we will find that we lie less. It's progress not perfection. Taking a daily inventory or journaling of feelings, thinking, and behavior will help us recognize our denial and give us the opportunity to do something about it.