Is This A Relapse??
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Midwest USA
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Is This A Relapse??
After 18 months of being clean my friend decided to use and bought crack. The thing is the crack was fake (drywall) & he was ripped off. After getting home he called me and a few other friends and he did not go back. I believe this is considered a relapse because he actually purchased the drug, put in the pipe and tried to smoke it. Any advise?
RIP Sweet Suki
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: In my sanctuary, my home
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Yeah, it's a relapse. He intended to use. Relapse is much more than just the action, it is the frame of mind. He took all the steps to use, so yeah, I'd consider it a relapse.
Not again
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Central NY
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Yep, relapse...and as was so kindly pionted out, it's the actions and behaviors prior to picking up aka; relapse mode.
Had your friend actually found the real thing that would have been active using.
I am always confused by people who say they relapse after being clean for a week or two, because I can't phathom what changes actually occured in such a brief period of time. Our attitudes and behaviors which took years to instill cannot be changed overnight. It takes time and effort to become a "different" person. The way we act and react to all the situations life presents. Relapse is a returning to old behaviors, a slip is picking up after a sober spell.
That's my take on the whole thing.
Hope your day is a pleasant one
Larry
Had your friend actually found the real thing that would have been active using.
I am always confused by people who say they relapse after being clean for a week or two, because I can't phathom what changes actually occured in such a brief period of time. Our attitudes and behaviors which took years to instill cannot be changed overnight. It takes time and effort to become a "different" person. The way we act and react to all the situations life presents. Relapse is a returning to old behaviors, a slip is picking up after a sober spell.
That's my take on the whole thing.
Hope your day is a pleasant one
Larry
RIP Sweet Suki
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: In my sanctuary, my home
Posts: 39,925
When you ask our opinions, that's what you get...opinions. Relapse occurs in the brain long before any substance is introduced to the system. His brain relapsed, whether or not he actually got any crack in his body or not. Semantics can kill an addict.
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Join Date: Dec 2010
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Here's what I wrote on another forum when we were discussing the concept of relapse/sobriety:
For me, if sobriety simply represents the time span measured between drinks, then there is no sobriety there without a mindset. I realize that a lot of programs measure sobriety that way, and maybe they have to so that "they" can quantify it.
For example, when I tried to quit drinking with limited "successes" of a few days, weeks, or months between, I failed each time because I had never truly made the decision that I was a non-drinker. I have been a non-drinker many years now, and I consider myself sober. By my definition, if I make a dinner date with my husband that includes wine tasting tonight, I am no longer sober even before I get there.
You could drive yourself crazy with semantics. I don't know what AVRT has to say about this, but for me the concept of sobriety becomes trite if it is viewed as just a physiologic state and not a psychological construct.
For example, when I tried to quit drinking with limited "successes" of a few days, weeks, or months between, I failed each time because I had never truly made the decision that I was a non-drinker. I have been a non-drinker many years now, and I consider myself sober. By my definition, if I make a dinner date with my husband that includes wine tasting tonight, I am no longer sober even before I get there.
You could drive yourself crazy with semantics. I don't know what AVRT has to say about this, but for me the concept of sobriety becomes trite if it is viewed as just a physiologic state and not a psychological construct.
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Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Kansas
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Originally Posted by suki44883 
When you ask our opinions, that's what you get...opinions. Relapse occurs in the brain long before any substance is introduced to the system. His brain relapsed, whether or not he actually got any crack in his body or not. Semantics can kill an addict.
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Your friend is an idiot, which in this case appears to have played to his advantage, but to answer your question, no. He might do well to ask himself WTF was going through his mind, however.
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Join Date: Aug 2011
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I have a degree in Criminal Justice. When I got my degree (many moons ago LOL) I learned the definition of CRIME. Opportunity + Desire = Crime.
Guess what, the same applies to addiction. Opportunity + Desire = Addiction. If you eliminate one or the other... You can't have the sum. This is why I do not, nor do not want to know, anyone who deals... W/D will cause the best people on earth to do things WAY out of character.
Guess what, the same applies to addiction. Opportunity + Desire = Addiction. If you eliminate one or the other... You can't have the sum. This is why I do not, nor do not want to know, anyone who deals... W/D will cause the best people on earth to do things WAY out of character.
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Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Australia
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With my history, relapse definitely started with my intent...the act of relapse itself was the end of the process, not the beginning....so I'd have to disagree with those of you who feel otherwise
D
D
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Join Date: May 2008
Location: Florida
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Just out of curiosity - what kind of damage can smoking drywall cause? Doesn't sound too appetizing or good for the lungs....
(I was going to make a joke about whether or not you can get high from drywall but knew I would get lambasted for it on this board - and rightly so ...therfore apologies for the thought -- my mind is a wee bit off - no sleep in a VERY long time....)
(I was going to make a joke about whether or not you can get high from drywall but knew I would get lambasted for it on this board - and rightly so ...therfore apologies for the thought -- my mind is a wee bit off - no sleep in a VERY long time....)
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Join Date: May 2011
Location: Durban, South-Africa
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My opinion: The act of relapse involves physically using the drug or substance so therefore in this case he has not relapsed. However, your friend is still an addict (not a recovering addict) there is a difference! The fact that he was actively trying to use is confirmation that he is not in recovery (physically and mentally). Sooner or later his addiction will drive him straight back to the same place.
RIP Sweet Suki
Join Date: Apr 2008
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Posts: 39,925
Originally Posted by mrjive55
relapse is the action of using, not the action of buying the drug and not using
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Join Date: Dec 2010
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I have another friend who was arrested for attempting to buy crack from an undercover cop. He had been 14months clean & even showed his 1 year NA tag to the cop. 
I guess it goes to show you that it is always dangerous buying illegal drugs off the street.
I guess it goes to show you that it is always dangerous buying illegal drugs off the street.
~sb
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: MD
Posts: 15,969
If he wanted to drink, found a bottle, drank and discovered it was water...relase, yes, but that started before he acted on it. Change sobriety date, no. realize his higher power stopped him from dying? Definitely Divine Intervention, work those steps now. Or choose not living
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