it's nice that it took 3-4 months of being out of 12 step (which i was in for over a year) to finally realize what it means for relapse to be part of recovery, instead of a setback.
in the rooms i'd hear "if you're not working on your recovery, you're working on your relapse." and "working on your recovery" meant not just taking care of yourself, but doing the steps, doing service, praying, getting right with God, etc.
it's such a backwards view of things. people don't just stop taking of themselves for no reason, and not everyone is going to find a rigorously spiritual approach conductive.
someone who isn't doing well (mentally, socially, physically, or spiritually) isn't struggling because they're inherently self-centered and turning their back on god. they're struggling because there is something wrong! treating addiction like a flaw in the individual is so fucking harmful!
i just ugh!! we live in a society where people are neglected and abused and otherwise taken advantage of en masse! people are scrambling for scraps, working themselves to death, being left to suffer in traumatic environments, dealing with poverty, living in the ever-present fear of financial ruin!
that is not self-centeredness! that is a core issue in our society that is hurting people. so no! people who use drugs are not the problem. people who struggle in abstinence are not the problem. that kind of logic KILLS PEOPLE. that is part of why some people following a 12 step recovery approach (or deprogramming from one) KILL THEMSELVES. and NO ONE TALKS ABOUT IT.
...addicts deserve so much better.