Grey Book Reflection
We are never forced into relapse. We are given a choice. Relapse is never an accident. Our knowledge of addiction is not enough to stop us from using.
Gray Book, p. 124 (Chapter Seven, Lines 33-35)
Relapse is not part of Recovery; it's the lack of it. The process of relapse has its beginning at the end of the Recovery process.
Our Literature describes a Spiritual, Emotional and Mental relapse prior to the Physical relapse. The use of drugs happens at the end of the relapse.
The Recovery process requires a Daily Surrender to Spiritual Principles. The Actions we take to Recover is our Process of Surrender. Our Physical Act of Surrender happens when we attend Meetings.
Our Mental Act of Surrender happens as we tap into our Higher Power for Strength and Guidance. Practicing A Living Program, Working with others and doing Service for Narcotics Anonymous is our Spiritual Act of Surrender. One of our predecessors often mentioned that Knowledge is not a substitute for Surrender, we have to apply the information to our Daily Lives. Every day, we are Granted a Daily Reprieve from returning to active addiction, and that's dependent on our Spiritual Conditioning.
Narcotics Anonymous is a 24 hour Program, we Recover from the hopeless state we once suffered from, Just For Today. We keep away from the Emotional relapse by Thanking the God of Our Understanding for keeping us Clean that day. We greet the new day; we start over by expressing our Gratitude by our Actions throughout the day.
We incorporate the Basics and Spiritual Principles in our daily routine. We Share our Recovery by carrying the Message to the addict who still suffers. These Actions keep our Recovery growing, and it keeps the relapse process from starting. Just For Today, we will continue to work on our Recovery, we will continue on this Uphill Journey.
We will continue to Live and Share with others the Narcotics Anonymous Program, so we can continue Living and Enjoying our Lives without the use of drugs.