Love is like an elixir for some of us. The excitement of a new
lover, the intrigue of exploring intimacy, the sense of release we get
from allowing ourselves to become vulnerable—these are all powerful
emotions. But we can’t forget that we have only a daily reprieve from
our addiction. Holding onto this daily reprieve must be the top
priority in any recovering addict’s life.
We can become too involved in our relationship. We can neglect
old friends and our sponsor in the process. Then, when things get
difficult, we often feel that we can no longer reach out to those who
helped us prior to our romantic involvement. This belief can lay the
groundwork for a relapse. By consistently working our program and
attending meetings, we ensure that we have a network of recovery, even
when we’re deep in a romance.
Our desire to be romantically involved is natural. But we
mustn’t forget that, without our program, even the healthiest
relationship will not guard us against the strength of our addiction.
