Randy and I pick up where we left off at the end of part 1. Randy shares some of his experience and the value he has found in building a daily routine to keep his faith and spiritual life strong. We discuss some of the day-in-and-day-out struggles that continue to be a part of our lives.

Since this recording was completely unscripted, I feel something might have been lost in translation when it comes to the FASTER Scale I briefly mention at 32:40. It is an important relapse prevention tool that I have continued to reference in my recovery feel it is worth further explaining.

In the 3rd edition of the relapse prevention workbook, The Genesis Process, Michael Dye and Patricia Fancher use the Faster Relapse Awareness Scale to help the user of the book better understand how it is the changes in their way of thinking may lead to relapse if not changed or kept in check. Markers in their behavior that the user honestly self-identifies as problematic.

In the episode, I mention that it is an acronym — F.A.S.T.E.R — with R standing for relapse. The way that Dye and Fancher lay it out, however, they have another R at the beginning before the F.

Here is how they use it. And like I said, this has saved me more than a few times.

“R” = Recovery: Pretty self explanatory. This is where we all hope to be. No secrets, fulfilling obligations, remembering priorities etc.

DRY RELAPSE

“F” = Forgot Priorities: Denial; flight; a change in what’s important; how you spend your time and thoughts.

“A” = Anxiety: Getting energy from emotions. Worry, being fearful, being resentful, replaying old,negative thoughts, etc.

“S” = Speeding Up: Super busy, can’t relax, can’t turn off thoughts, skipping meals, etc.

“T” = Ticked Off: Getting high on anger; aggression. Procrastination causing crisis in money, work, or relationships; feeling that no one understands, etc.

“E” = Exhausted: Out of Gas; depression. Depressed; panicked, confused, hopeless;sleeping too much or too little, etc.

WET RELAPSE

R” = Relapse: Returning to the place that we all swore we would never go again. Giving up and giving in.

Like I mentioned in the episode, the beauty of this exercise is that it is not a one-way street! Through careful, honest use of this simple to reminder tool, you can hop off of the downward trend and jump straight back to recovery.

For me, accountability is huge. If I feel myself shutting down, I check where I’m at in my openness with others. If I’m honest and find that I am not where I need to be, I change it.

There is nothing in my life that I want to lose so I fight with everything I have to keep what has been given to me...a new life.

As always, thank you for taking the time to listen!!

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