BY TIM STODDART
Negative thoughts are poison.
In life, negative thoughts can hold us back and diminish our happiness. In recovery, they can lead to relapse. Anyone who’s relapsed will tell you that a boatload of negative thoughts preceded their relapses.
Very rarely is relapse an impulse action. It is commonly said that “stinkin thinkin” is a leading cause. Ultimately, relapse happens when someone picks up the drink or drug and puts it into their body, but the downward spiral usually starts days, weeks or even months before the relapse itself.