Addiction Recovery PursueGOD Podcasts

IntroThis is the last lesson in our Relapse Prevention series. Some of the content is taken from our last two lessons so we can put into action the things we have learned. So let’s jump right into our third lesson.
Benjamin Franklin says “If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail!”
#1 Put God First!Proverbs 3:6 ESV In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
The biggest and most important relapse prevention plan is Jesus Christ! How do we put God first? By making a habit of talking to God daily, reading His word, and learning to live a life that honors Him. Choose a time in the day that you can commit to spending time with Him and stick to it.

#2 Change playmates, playgrounds, and playthingsGet rid of any items associated with your addiction. If it’s a temptation or trigger to be around, get rid of it! Don’t think you can go to a bar and just have a soda or hang out with friends you once used with. Find a way to make new friends that support your recovery and relationship with God. Find new healthy interests and activities. Join a local Christian church and ask how you can start serving.

#3 Process the 12 Steps with your sponsor or mentorIf you don’t already have a sponsor or Godly mentor then get one! Start processing your steps using this link to a 12 Steps Workbook. This tool will help you learn, grow, and stay abstinent from your addiction. After you finish a step, you should review it with your mentor or sponsor. If you feel that your problems are more serious, then consider seeing a counselor in addition to having a mentor. All of this will prepare you to help someone else! Helping others will get your mind off of yourself and give you a sense of purpose.

#4 Do your recovery one day at a timeMatthew 6:34 NIV “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

Focus on God today and one day at a time after that. He will give you the strength you need to stay abstinent from your addiction when you seek him first. So don’t worry about tomorrow, focus on staying clean today.

#5 Make a plan for temptationsWrite down and talk to someone about your personal external and internal triggers. You have to be aware of your temptations in order to plan how to cope with them or avoid them. When you write them down, put an action plan in place. If (blank) happens, then I will do what?

You may try to convince yourself you have your addiction under control. But think of your addiction as a big green monster in the closet. He might be put away but he’s in there doing push-ups ready to take you right where you left off if you’re not careful to keep the door shut.

Genesis 4:7 NIV says “If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.”

Finally, if you do relapse or you already have, don’t give up. God’s mercies are new every morning. If you have put your faith in Jesus, then you are completely forgiven no matter how bad you feel you’ve blown it! Listen to this amazing promise God has made for us.

Isaiah 41:10 HCSB “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will hold on to you with My righteous right hand.”

The recovery road will still be hard at times. But each day you turn your life over to God, when you use His wisdom to keep your mind, body, and soul healthy you take one step further away from addiction and one step closer to God.

Relapse Prevention 02
Title: Knowing and Avoiding Triggers
Focus Keyphrase: Addiction Triggers
Excerpt: People in recovery need to be careful about handling triggers.
Talking Points:
A trigger can be anything that brings back thoughts, feelings, or memories that have to do with our addiction. External triggers are the persons, places and things that remind you of the days you used. These need to be avoided at all costs.Internal triggers are the emotions and thoughts that surrounded your desire to use in the past.How you can avoid the triggers:Pray. Recognize the temptation and pray for strength to say “No!” Matthew 26:41Submit to God. Choose God’s will instead of allowing your emotions and thoughts to lead you. James 4:7Stay accountable to a sponsor or mentor. You need someone who can ask the hard questions and hold you accountable. Proverbs 11:14Change your lifestyle. Create new habits and a new way of doing things. 2 Corinthians 5:17
 
Discussion:
Initial reactions to this topic? What jumped out at you?Warm up question: Has anyone shot a gun before?  Can you explain what the steps are leading up to the shot being fired?How does it make you feel that God wants a personal relationship with you and cares about the intimate details of your life?Why do you think it would be important to get rid of sin in other areas of your life in order to help you stay abstinent from your addiction?Read Proverbs 11:14 NASB Do you have someone to help with guidance in your life?Can you think of a personal internal trigger you are facing or have faced in the past? What is a way you can cope with or avoid this trigger?Can you think of a personal external trigger you are facing or have faced in the past? What is a way you can cope with or avoid this trigger?Read 1 Corinthians 10:13 ESV.  How is being tempted different than hardships and struggle?Is there a step you need to take based on today’s topic?
See Also:
Emotional IntelligenceStep 4/Recovery - Getting RealDealing with Our Thoughts

Shownotes:People in recovery need to be careful about handling triggers.

Hook/Intro
Most addicts have experienced, at one point or another, short-term victory over their addiction, only to find themselves right back into it again. And I’m sure we’ve all asked ourselves, “how did I get back here to this place?”Last week we talked about how relapse is a process, not an event.Emotional, Mental, and then PhysicalAnd today, we’re going to talk about the personal emotional and mental elements that can lead us down the track to relapse.We call these personal elements “triggers”Triggers are unique to each individualAddiction triggers are probably one of the most difficult things to understand for the non-addict.Most non-addicts just think an addict should be able to make a decision and simply stop using.They fail to realize that for most addicts, if they could simply choose to stop with a snap of their fingers, they would.Triggers are the reason that recovery itself is a process, not a snap decision.Learning what our triggers are and how to avoid them is crucial in the battle against relapse.Hopefully our conversation today will be helpful not just for the addict to identify triggers, but also for those who...

Warning Signs
A common saying is that relapse is a part of the recovery process. There may be some truth to this, but full physical relapse is always preventative. However, physical relapse is very common for people early on in recovery because new people to recovery are unaware of the warning signs. It is generally apparent to those with experience when someone is getting close to relapsing.
Warning signs:
Stop coming to meetings or working with mentor/sponsorMaintaining the same lifestyle as before recoveryNot being transparent with people close to themTaking on unnecessary stress (e.g. new romantic relationship)Lack of humility or short-term memory about addictive pastFocus on other people or things rather than personal recoveryNot taking steps to change their life (Nothing changes if nothing changes)
The most destructive outcome of relapse is the shame and discouragement experienced. It prevents someone from being honest and reaching out for help. And it may cause someone to want to give up on recovery
It’s A Process
It’s important to understand that relapse is a process, not an event. There are typically three stages to a relapse.
Emotional: You’re feeling depressed and you’re losing some of your important habits. Mental: You’re reliving old stories or even glamorizing the days when you were using.Physical: You start using again.
Emotional Stage
Emotions are powerful. And as addicts, we’ve spent a lot of time letting our emotions rule us.
Emotional Intelligence (EQ) is how well you know your emotions and how they affect you and those around you.
It takes a great level of humility to admit emotions we are struggling with.
Some feelings and emotions may seem irrelevant, but they can have a greater impact on us than we realize: (H.A.L.T – Hungry, Angry Lonely, and Tired)
Mental Stage
When our emotions are in charge, we struggle to think logically.
We forget how destructive our past behavior was and begin to fantasize about using again.
2 Corinthians 10:5 - We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ (ESV)
Physical Relapse
By the time a physical relapse occurs, it’s shocking and confusing to see the path that led to it.
Self-Awareness
Be aware of these stages and stop yourself before you get to the physical stage where you’re actually using.
Be open about emotional struggles with mentor/sponsor and in recovery groups, even when they seem insignificant.
Be honest with yourself by taking a daily inventory.
Take note of areas of where spiritual disciplines are waning, like prayer, Bible study, and fellowship.
At the end of the day, it’s only our relationship with God and operating in His strength that will give us the discernment we need to stay sober.
Philippians 4:7 - And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (ESV)

Work the 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous with a biblical worldview in mind. Find series resources at https://www.pursuegod.org/steps-to-recovery-series.

Work the 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous with a biblical worldview in mind. Find series resources at https://www.pursuegod.org/steps-to-recovery-series.

Work the 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous with a biblical worldview in mind. Find series resources at https://www.pursuegod.org/steps-to-recovery-series.