Recovery from addictions is a major accomplishment. It takes tremendous commitment and hard work. Courage is required to face the dark side of an addiction, admit to the damage it's caused, and risk trying healthier behaviors. The healthier behaviors of recovery may initially feel strange, unfamiliar, and frightening. Therefore, needless to say, recovery is the victory of a very hard-fought battle.

The last thing one wants to consider is relapse. Nevertheless, relapse is a possibility every recovering addict must acknowledge. The best defense against relapse is preparation and prevention.