My two cents, for whatever it is worth:
I call it using - it is like being pregnant, you either are or you are not. Either you are clean, or you are not.
It is a one day at a time program.
And recovery for me in Alanon is working the steps, having a sponsor, working with others, not acting like a codie (or at least trying not to act like that) - just as recovery is for an addict. There is a whole lot more to recovery than just putting down the drugs.
I've heard a saying "not using, not recovering" - it is an awful place to be.
Love in recovery,
Jody Hepler