I try to watch every morning.

Our pleasure!

You don’t need any membership. The whole series of Tips and Tools videos are all available free on the SMART Recovery USA KZfaq channel. They can also be purchased as a DVD: www.tipsandtoolsdvd.com

@@SmartRecoveryUSA What about a student who don't need a physical CD because that is just for a school work to have a better understanding of what addicts go through and provide them a better health instrumental tools?

@@emanuelyasheav1040 All our content is free right here on our KZfaq channel.

Will try to do better next time thanks

Thanks for your comment, Eric. There is much truth to what you say. However, for context I suggest you watch Dr. Carlo Di Clemente's presentation at the SMART Recovery Conference last September. kzfaq.info/get/bejne/pqiWldKqyZ6sgps.html Our point / and his - is that on a generalized statistical level, most people will relapse, and that is part of their overall journey towards success. This does not mean we under-appreciate or minimize the danger of relapse. You are correct: Assuming relapse will happen can be an excuse to relapse itself. However, that modality of thinking makes you wonder how committed that person was to recovery to begin with. If you would like to discuss more, please email me (I'm Ted Perkins) at tipsandtools@smartrecovery.org

@@SmartRecoveryUSA Thank you for your feedback. I am currently a LMFT Resident and lead an addictions recovery group. This has often been a debate in my group, so thank you for this additional resource. People often think that relapse being a part of the Stages of Change gives them the green light to use, but that's where we stop and reflect a bit. The answer has mostly been positive with group members stating that their main objective is to achieve sobriety (maintenance), but that "if" they relapse they should not feel discouraged and give up. Sometimes, people relapse and die, so for some there is not a second chance. Statistically, "if" people relapse they can get back up and try again. The Stages of Change, as you so well stated, includes the relapse stage for a reason. Imagine if the stages ended at stage 4. People may think that if they relapse, then they can't try again and that they have failed. Anyone who has experienced addiction understands how brutal it can be and it is a moment-by-moment effort everyday, and they need the encouragement to move forward if they happen to relapse. They should not be discouraged thinking that if they relapse then they can't try again. The relapse stage does not necessarily give permission to use; it's more like a yellow light giving caution and giving them hope instead of feeling despair and remaining stuck.

I’ve heard people differentiate between a “slip” and a “relapse”. Either way , if statistically it takes more than one try, then acknowledging that should be part of a “rational” program.

People die, break bones, get traumatic brain injuries, cause cars to veer and crash while riding bikes everyday! Is that acceptable? Is it reality? Should we discourage people from riding bikes at all? Should we encourage people to ride safely, to wear helmets, to ride in bike lanes, etc? When you teach your kid to ride their bike, do you say, "look don't fall off, it's completely unacceptable"... or do you say, "look, falling off your bike, getting scraped happens and you will probably be ok, but you MUST wear your helmet because you may not be ok if you don't"? Relapse is absolutely part of the process of recovery. When you view recovery as an outcome instead of a process then you get into a mindset where relapse is "unacceptable". Of course, no progress can be made in recovery without abstaining. Abstinence is the goal, the goal is not to avoid relapse, and that is a granular but important differentiation. But whatever, I just hope you don't punish your kid when they fall off their bike like you punish yourself if you relapse...

You can also read up on all the tools here: www.smartrecovery.org/smart-recovery-toolbox/