Gmoney

Although this is the NA 12 Step forum (specifically, step 12), and your post would probably get more responses in the Family & Friends Forum, I felt a need to answer your question and possibly give you some hope.

Yes...addicts do relapse and many stay clean afterwards. I never bought into the saying "Relapse is a part of recovery," because it isn't. Relapse is a part of active addiction and it can (and does) happen. There are times when a relapse can set the stage for a more effortful application of the program.

My personal story is full of failed attempts and relapses - many rehabs, a few outpatient programs and several halfway houses. It was only after exhausting every way I knew to control my using that I finally surrendered to the NA way of life. This "chronic relapser" will soon have 12 years clean thanks to NA.

Recovery is possible.