A. There is a long-standing discussion and even controversy about this issue. The adage "once an addict, always an addict" is often utilized by people who are experts in this area, or even by people who have lost their interest in their addicted substance or action, for the time being.

Others, usually less experienced family members or friends, but sometimes people who have used excessively in the past but no more, will say they are "cured" or "recovered", and are very comfortable in doing so. More power to them!

The key is understanding that if your particular addiction is no longer being utilized inappropriately or dangerously, you are still subject to becoming RE-ADDICTED if you start using just a little again. This seems like a realistic and safe approach, and respects both the camp that feels they are always in recovery and the camp that feels that their recovery is completed.

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:created by DrFred and last updated by DrFred on 2007-12-02 23:29:57 - viewed 479 times