Relapse Prevention: Time Factors in the BUD Part 2
This video is Part 2 on Relapse Prevention for substance abuse. In the last video we introduced you to the BUD syndrome and defined what it is. This video will are discussing the time periods that are experienced in the BUD.
WHAT ARE THE TIME PERIODS IN WHICH WE CAN EXPECT TO EXPERIENCE A BUD?
Our experience in working with people in drug addiction and with alcoholism have led us to understand that there are certain time periods in our sobriety during which we are most susceptible to a BUD.
We also know that each of us will have approximately four major BUD’s to work through. The following timetable shows these four major BUD’s and the time intervals in which they are most likely to occur.
WHEN IS THE FIRST MAJOR BUD USUALLY EXPERIENCED?
The first major BUD usually comes 4 to 6 weeks after attaining sobriety.
The first BUD is often the hardest to overcome because of our short span of sobriety and our lack of spiritual growth. We have not learned how to deal with mental contamination, and with the emotional swings going on inside us. Our relationship with God is in the infant stage and, unfortunately, at this point, we still lean on our own understanding. We continue to be very much influenced by our old thought process and our old feelings, which have controlled our lives for years.
WHEN IS THE SECOND TIME PERIOD IN THE BUD?
The second major BUD usually occurs around 4 to 6 months of sobriety. Most addicts have not experienced this long a period of sobriety in years. This BUD is very dangerous, because we have experienced extended sobriety.
Because of this, we must be very careful not to think we have arrived. Such deception will lead us to quit practicing the daily disciplines and the spiritual principles that enabled us to maintain sobriety and grow in our relationship with God.
THE 1 YEAR SOBRIETY MARK
The third major BUD can be expected to come around the first year of sobriety between 11 to 13 months. Many perceive that being sober and drug-free for one full year means we are cured from chemical addiction. We may even try to reward ourselves for our achievement. We deceive ourselves into thinking that because we have been clean and sober for so long, we can now control our use of chemicals.
We must be careful not to become so over-confident that we forget where we came from and how we attained a year of sobriety. At this point in our recovery program we may be inclined to put God on a shelf, telling Him that when we need Him again, we’ll call Him
WHAT IS THE PRIMARY REASON A DRY-DRUNK CAN TURN INTO A WET-DRUNK AFTER 20 MONTHS OF SOBRIETY?
A fourth major BUD may occur anywhere from 20 to 22 months after sobriety. Usually this BUD can be minimized because of our long period of sobriety. Hopefully, by this time in our sobriety and spiritual growth, we will be able to recognize this BUD in its early stages, and be mature enough to know how to overcome it.
There is one primary reason a dry-drunk, after 20 months of sobriety, could turn into a wet drunk: lack of spiritual commitment. We may tend to think more highly of ourselves than we should, and forget the basic Biblical principles we need to practice daily.
Jack Rapp
Did Mackey Evans play a part in developing the “Bottle Family” presentation?
Reach
I am not sure. This information was all derived from Dunklin Memorial Camp in Okeechobee, Florida. I’m not 100% sure on it’s foundations, but if he had anything to do with that program, then it’s possible.