Alcoholism - The Grief of Addiction by Buddy W. M.S.

The most important rule of recovery is that a person does not achieve recovery by just not using. Recovery involves creating a new life in which it is easier to not drink. When individuals do not change their lives, then all the factors that contributed to their addiction will eventually catch up with them. But clients often begin recovery by hoping that they don't have to change. They often enter treatment saying, 'We want our old life back - without the using' - clients (need to) understand that wishing for their old life back is like wishing for relapse.