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Phase 10: Option Reduction.
During this phase the recovering people feel trapped by the past and the inability
to manage life. There seems to be only three ways out-insanity, suicide, or
addictive use. They no longer believe that anyone or anything can help them.
The most common warning signs that occur during this phase are:
10-1. Unreasonable Resentment. They feel angry, because of the inability to
behave the way they want to. Sometimes the anger is with the world in general,
sometimes with someone or something in particular, and sometimes with self.
10-2. Discontinues All Treatment and A.A. they stop attending all A.A. meetings.
If they are taking Antibes they may forget to take it or deliberately avoid
taking it regularly. If a sponsor or a helping person is part of treatment,
tension and conflict develop and become so severe that the relationship usually
ends. They may drop out of professional counseling even though they need help
and know it.
10-3. Overwhelming Loneliness. Frustration, Anger and Tension. they feel completely
overwhelmed. They believe that there is no way out except drinking, suicide
or insanity. There are intense fears of insanity and feelings of helplessness
and desperation.
10-4. Loss of Behavioral Control. They experience more and more difficulty
in controlling thoughts, emotions, judgements, and behaviors. This progressive
and disabling loss of control begins to cause serious problems in all areas
of life. It begins to affect health. No matter how hard they try to regain
control, they are unable to do so.
10-5. Return To "Controlled" Addictive Use. At this point many recovering
people are so desperate that they make themselves believe that controlled
use is possible. They plan to use an addictive for a short period of time
and or in a controlled fashion. They begin to use the addictive with the best
of intentions. They believe they have no other choice.
10-6. Shame and Guilt. The initial use produces feelings of intense guilt
and shame. Guilt is the feeling that is cause by self-judgement that "I
have done something wrong." the recently relapsed persons feel morally
responsible for the return to use and believe it would not have happened if
they had done "the right things." Shame is the feeling that results
from the self-judgement the "I am a defective person." Many recovering
people feel that their relapse proves that they are worthless and that they
might as die as an active addict.
10-7. Loss of Control. The addictive use spirals out of control. Sometimes
that loss of control occurs slowly. St other times the loss of control is
rapid. The person begins using as often as much as before.
10-8. Life and Health Problems. They begin to experience severe problems with
their life and health. Marriage, jobs, and friendships are seriously damaged.
Eventually their physical health suffers and they become so ill that they
need professional treatment.
Phase 11: Return To Addictive Use or Physical/Emotional Collapse