(The following story is fictional. It does not describe any real person, client, or recovery conversation. It is a composite meant to reflect common experiences many people recognize in early recovery.) Tim: Thanks for coming in, Mason. We don’t have to cover everything today. I just want to understand where you’ve been and what you’ve tried. Does that work? Mason: Yeah. I mean… yeah. That’s fine...
If you are trying to decide between abstinence and moderation, you are not confused or weak. You are thinking seriously about your life. Many people arrive at recovery already exhausted by being pushed in one direction or another. Some are told that total abstinence is the only responsible choice. Others are encouraged to “find balance” without much discussion of risk. When advice comes packaged...