Happy Thanksgiving to my dear, dear RFA family! I am so thankful for another abstinent Thanksgiving! How delightful to know that I will be 100% satisfied with my delicious food when it is weighed and measured and eaten at the appropriate times. I now enjoy the cooking and preparation of the beautiful table - no cravings, no sneaking food, no eating off dessert plates while I am doing the dishes, no shame, no constant chatter in my head about food and weight. Thank God for the freedom I enjoy every day! And thank God for my RFA fellowship and the steps. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!!

Alison--

Thanks for your post--I, too, am grateful for all the gifts that have been so freely given with this way of life.

I remember earlier on in abstinence, I would have what I called (and my peers in aftercare following treatment noticed in me as well)--"post-event syndrome"--I would make it through a holiday or visit or vacation or some event abstinently then relapse within a few days of getting back. The best I could tell for me, it was some combination of entitlement ("I did so well I deserve ________"), fatigue, poor planning (I would plan my trip and food meticulously but then not plan as well for my return), insufficient recovery practices while away (or probably on my return), those kinds of things. Thankfully this just doesn't happen anymore--I think repeated development of discipline in these areas and asking for help and continued contact with other recovering people have helped to prevent this from happening to me anymore.

Steve in Georgia