Those of us living in one day at a time recovery understand the reality of doing battle with active addiction. Sometimes we think of such a struggle as a boxing match. Active addiction pummels us for the better part of the fight. Up until the beginning of the fifteenth round we were beaten up pretty badly. Our eyes had been hit so many times that they were swollen and almost completely shut. The people in our corner wanted to throw in the towel but we rose to our feet when the last round began. We prayed for God to help us. We had one punch left to throw. We connected. Instead of standing gloating over our opponent we went to a neutral corner. Active addiction was down for the count. We left the ring hurt and bloody with one thought on our mind. The only thing we enjoyed about the whole battle was going to a neutral corner. It was at that moment we decided to retire from the ring. We thought one day at a time we would not pick up just for that day. Deep down in our heart of hearts we accepted in all reality we had been defeated. It was only the grace of God, the spirit, or the universe that made it possible for us to walk out of the ring alive. This is the reality of fighting addiction. Should we be granted the opportunity to stand in a neutral corner we do so. We might not get another chance. Peace.
