Reflection On Alcoholic Relapse

This lesson was very insightful and left me reflecting on which steps would have the potential to have a negative effect on an alcoholic, and I feel that steps four, five and six have the greatest potential for relapse due to the intensity of feelings associated with negative self-reflections and shameful feelings due to confronting those individuals affected by the alcoholics’ behavior while using. While working through lesson 4 a person who is new to recovery may have some persona feelings that they would still like to numb instead of documenting the fears, and immoral behaviors. These behaviors regarding sexual behaviors may not be immoral to them, and to share them with another individual during step 5 may make them embarrassed or ashamed. This fear of judgement could lead them to use. I personally believe that there are high risk situations surrounding confronting some individuals who may harbor hurt feelings toward the substance abuser. It may become a trigger for relapse. In lesson six the alcoholic or addict may still feel shameful or worthlessness due to the reflection of their behaviors and how they may look to another person now that they have …show more content…
After reading the alternative steps presented in the lesson I could get a broader perspective on the AA program. I can now state that I would rather use AA as a maintenance program after going through Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). The reason why I feel that AA is a great program in the maintenance phase of recovery is that in order to become sober and remain sober a substance abuser needs to learn ways to change their irrational beliefs and behaviors, the tools of CBT should be earned prior to attending the Twelve step meetings. The fundamentals of AA are wonderful to enforce and encourage sobriety for the recovered addict and