Thought for the Week

Timothy D. Stein, MFT, CSAT

December 31, 2018

I am an asymptote.

An asymptote is a mathematical term for a curve that continually gets closer to a line but never reaches it.  In recovery, we are asymptotes.  The longer we stay sober, the easier it is to remain sober, but the addictive urges will never completely go away.  The longer we work on recovery balance, the easier it is to maintain moderation in all things, but the pull of addiction patterns will never completely go away.  The longer we are rigorously honest, the easier it is to remain rigorously honest, but the temptation to keep a secret will never completely go away.  We are asymptotes.  We get closer and closer to being “cured” or “recovered” but while we never actually get there, it gets easier all the time.

Have I looked for a “cure” or believed I was “cured” of my addiction?  Have I been frustrated that “recovery” is a lifelong process?  What gifts await me as I accept that even though the work of recovery never ends, it does get easier with time?