addiction recovery steps

jen: one of the things we've learned overtime and through studies is that there are internal triggers that occur long before anyonepicks up a drug or a drink. debbie: usually with someone who relapsesa lot, it's something inside, something you can't get over or deal with.jen: and those are internal things that happen in terms of the changing in one's thinking,a change in attitude, something like complacency or feeling as though there's no program thatcan help them. when we begin to get these distorted thought or emotions, that's an internaltrigger. when we talk about external triggers, thoseare behavioral changes, things that we begin to do differently that symbolize a changeand a potential relapse, things like stopping

going to meetings or not calling your sponsor.most people believe that a relapse is, "well, i've picked up and used, and that's it," butthere's so much more to relapse then just picking up and using.andrew: there are a million chances to stop before you go and pick up that drink.jen: a relapse occurs weeks, sometimes months before the actual substance is ingested. wereally want to arm our guests with as much information and knowledge as possible so thatthey can begin to identify those triggers and those warning signs when they happen,so that they can use the tools of recovery to keep themselves safe, and to keep themselvessober.