All my life I never drank coffee or smoked cigarettes right,but the day I checked into a treatment center(rehab)I didnt know how i was going to make it through and I for sure needed something so soon as I got off the van that dropped me off the first thing i did was spark up a cancer stick and get a strong cup of joe.
Now is that considered trading one substance for another in the same way i used meth to help kick cocaine?Like do i have to go adjusting my sobriety date?Is it considered cheating in my recovery?Am I lieing when I SAY I have 16 months sober behind this?Please could someone please give me a little insight…
So it may be that ur substituting one addiction for something else (as u mentioned the coffee and cigarettes)… however i dont believe that u would need to reset ur sobriety timer. For my recovery, i focus on being clean from all MIND ALTERING substances. Coffee and cigarettes are not mind altering in my opinion. If anything they are mood altering which to me doesnt count for a reset in ur sobriety timers
I have substituted addiction from my DOC to exercise, to coffee, to shopping. None of these would cause me to have to reset my timer. As i stayed clean and began to find some balance in life, these other “addictions” sort of leveled out a bit.
I agree with Dana. It’s not a relapse to me. Actually, you’re being extra vigilant and taking your sobriety seriously which is a very positive thing. I’ve been in rehab twice and both times I smoked and wanted coffee. We could step away from the heaviness for a minute, go outside and bond a little. Not healthy but understandable. The first place had only decaf coffee and we were grumpy about that. I no longer smoke and the desire left after I was sober a couple months. I’m glad you’re here.