Is Complete Abstinence from Use of Paychoactive Substances Necessary for Recovery?
Here are some of the reasons for the position that complete abstinence from all psychoactive substances is necessary for recovery from addiction:
1. Use of any drug will result in impaired judgment (may lead back to drug of choice (DOC)).
2. Substitution-the person may develop a new addiction.
3. Use of any drug will have an adverse effect on already damaged neurotransmitter systems
in the reward pathway of the brain.
4. The resulting high from the new substance will not be the effect of the person's DOC (not
the high desired)
5. Recovery is an all or nothing proposition; either you're sober or clean or you're not.
6. Use of the substance will undoubtedly occur in the company of "slippery" people and in
"slippery" places, causing cravings and possible relapse ("slippery" meaning dangerous to
abstinence or recovery).
7. Use will result in loss of 12 Step or other abstinence supports because the person will have
to lie, keep secret the drug use from 12 Step members. This is also dangerous because it
involves a return to old behaviors of dishonesty, etc.
8. Use will have an adverse effect on spirituality (addicts and alcoholics have made their
substances a Higher Power).
Related Tags: recovery, abstinence, complete abstinence in recvery, relapse factors
Jan Edward Williams, MS, JD, CCDC, LCADC. jwilliams@alcoholdrugsos.com
In addition to my law degree, I have a master of science degree in pastoral counseling, and am a CCDC, or Maryland Certified Chemical Dependency Counselor and an LCADC, or Maryland Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor (same level as an LCPC). I have personal and professional experience to aid me in helping persons with alcohol and other drug problems. I am in recovery myself, with over 29 years of continuous sobriety, and have been working in the drug and alcohol field for 27 years. I have been Director of Loyola College in Maryland's Alcohol and Drug Education and Support Services for 17 years. I also teach both undergraduate and graduate courses in substance abuse for the Psychology Department at Loyola.
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