Answer by Robyn D’Oliveira

I liken my disease to any other. A diabetic can never be cured but their disease can be arrested by maintaining a recognised health regime. Like a diabetic, people in recovery have to monitor their disease with abstinence and by working the 12 step programme as well as following suggestions. It would be dangerous thinking to believe that anyone of us is recovered as this would imply we are cured. I am an addict and I will remain an addict until the day I die whether I am an addict in recovery or not is entirely my choice. The very suggestion that I am cured would lead my straight back to using and the cycle would start all over again.

Recovery is a life long journey and certainly a lifelong commitment to change who I am. But as every person in the programme knows the philosophy of Just for Today will keep me in recovery. The thought of a lifelong commitment is far too overwhelming to contemplate. I will never be recovered, but just for today I am in recovery.