Relapse. Always or Never? Shira Goldberg
Recovery Coach Shira- Thoughts on Relapse
I think that recovery is not only a process, but unlike popular belief, definitely not a linear one. Statistically speaking, relapse, or at least a 'lapse,' (and yes I do believe there is a difference) is almost a guarantee for about 80% of the population.
I don't think that it is is a failure on the part of the person, but a time to allow oneself to reassess, to contemplate and to realize all of the progress one has been able to achieve.
As a recovery coach, I always suggest taking an inventory of your successes and see how far you have come, how much you now know and talk with someone who you are comfortable with, and has your best intentions at heart, to help figure out where there is room to strengthen, keeping what is working and omit what is not.
Addicts and alcoholics live in absolutes, and that can only lead to guilt and shame which can never be the answer for effective change.
With such a multi-faceted problem, there will be slips, but more importantly, room for growth. It took us long time to become addicts and alcoholics, that road was far from perfect, so it would make sense that the road ahead won't be either.
I have a client who was sober for three years, and even she was shocked she relapsed. She immediately blamed herself and thankfully took her parents advice to go to rehab. After she came to me, with trepidation, and some residual shame, I asked her about her SAT's. I remembered from when I took my own the best advice we got beforehand is do not check any answers with ALWAYS and NEVER, so if it is true in that context, it would make sense it is good advice in all contexts.
We are never ALWAYS anything, good or bad, just learning to be better at sobriety each and every day. That is what is important.
Shira Goldberg~
Shira Goldberg, BS Recovery Coaching
Shira Goldberg graduated from Kaplan University in 2011 with a degree in psychology, with an emphasis in Applied Behavioral Analysis. Prior to that, she attended University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee where she was in the pre-medicine program. She was awarded the Ronald McNair Scholarship, a Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program, and a fellowship at the Medical College of Wisconsin where she did cancer research. She graduated Summa Cum Laude and is in Psi Chi, Psychology’s International Honor Society.
After surviving her own battle with alcohol, she had an awakening and began focusing her efforts and dedication on the recovery community and became a recovery coach.
Her motivation is to encourage and celebrate recovery by promoting its message of hope. She is now the founder of LivingSoberLifeCoaching.com, an online effort that reduces the marginalization and stigma that surrounds addiction and to help those that have a need find not only resources, but community.
“By supporting and encouraging clients to achieve their life goals, within the context of long-term recovery, I get to see not only collectively, but individually, the benefits of recovery and their new lease on life.
I cannot imagine doing anything more important than that.”
Shira Goldberg, founder of www.livingsoberlifecoaching.com and a Recovery Coach in private practice.