High-Risk Situations: Part II

Let’s say that you have decided to go and spend time with family (after setting boundaries around what you will and will not discuss). You have spoken with your support network, your sponsor (if you have one), and your therapist. You get to the gathering and immediately people begin asking you questions and pushing your boundaries. Despite having told them the day prior, they are insistent on learning and knowing more about you and what led to you putting these boundaries in place.

In the past, this would have sent you spiraling to the point where a relapse was more that likely the outcome. This time though, you are prepared for this to take place (though not happy that it is even happening). You decide to leave the gathering. You are getting text after text from the people at the gathering checking in on you. This behavior of leaving is ‘so unlike’ you they say.

You reach out to your support network. You are honest and transparent about if you are having any cravings or urges. Instead of shaming you for leaving, they congratulate you for choosing yourself and your recovery over those people and that situation you were in. You managed to navigate a high-risk situation that in the past, could have left your spiraling.

Sometimes the most challenging but best decision that you can make is to leave and go do your own thing to decompress and regulate your emotions. Unfortunately we cannot control other people, their words, actions, or responses, but we can control how we act in those moments. Walking away from that situation, not even attending the event, or putting parameters around how long you will be there is worth it. Your support network will back you to ensure your recovery. The rest is just background noise.