Resting on Our Laurels in Recovery: Is Complacency a Relapse Trigger?

‍

The phrase “resting on our laurels” originally comes from ancient Greece, where victors were awarded laurel wreaths as symbols of achievement. To “rest on your laurels” meant relying too heavily on past successes instead of striving for continued effort. In AA, the saying appears in the Big Book (p. 85), warning that we cannot take sobriety for granted—we are never “cured” and must keep working our program daily.

“We are not cured of alcoholism. What we really have is a daily reprieve contingent on the maintenance of our spiritual condition. Every day is a day when we must carry the vision of God’s will into all of our activities. How can I best serve Thee—Thy will (not mine) be done. These are thoughts which must go with us constantly. We can exercise our will power along this line all we wish. It is the proper use of the will. But this is not an overnight matter. It should continue for our lifetime. We are not cured. We are not going to be cured. We are not going to be able to rest on our laurels.” -- Big Book, Alcoholics Anonymous, on page 85 (4th edition)

Recovery from addiction is not a destination but a journey—one that requires continuous effort, vigilance, and commitment. Many individuals who achieve sobriety discover that the real challenge isn't getting clean but staying clean. Among the many obstacles that can derail recovery, complacency might be one of the most insidious. When we begin to take our recovery for granted, we open the door to potential relapse.

If your like me and are interested in more about the background of where these sayings come from we hear in the rooms watch this:

Understanding Complacency in Recovery

Complacency in recovery occurs when individuals become overly comfortable with their progress and begin to neglect the practices and support systems that helped them achieve sobriety. It's that dangerous feeling of "I've got this" that can lead to cutting corners in recovery work.

At its core, complacency manifests in various behaviors that might seem innocent at first glance but can create serious vulnerability. These include:

• Skipping therapy sessions or support group meetings
• Gradually disconnecting from recovery communities
• Spending time in high-risk environments "just to prove you can"
• Minimizing the severity of your addiction history
• Believing you're "cured" and no longer need to actively work on recovery

The psychology behind complacency is complex. Often, it stems from natural human tendencies toward comfort and the desire to believe we've overcome our challenges permanently. Denial plays a significant role—we convince ourselves that the rules of addiction don't apply to us anymore. Overconfidence emerges when early recovery successes lead us to underestimate the chronic nature of addiction. And sometimes, simply getting bored with recovery routines pushes us toward complacency.

At Prescott House, we've observed that many men who relapse after periods of solid recovery point to complacency as the silent culprit. One resident memorably described it as "dying of thirst while sitting on a water hose"—all the recovery tools were available, but he had stopped using them.

The Relapse Process

Relapse rarely happens suddenly. Instead, it unfolds as a process with distinct stages that often begin long before someone actually picks up a substance or returns to addictive behavior.

Emotional Relapse

During emotional relapse, individuals aren't consciously thinking about using, but their emotions and behaviors set the stage for possible relapse. Signs include isolation, poor self-care, and bottling up emotions. Complacency often begins here, as the person starts skipping meetings or therapy because they "don't need them anymore."

Mental Relapse

As the process continues, mental relapse involves an internal struggle. The person begins to reminisce about using times, glamorizing the "good old days" while filtering out the negative consequences. They might start to bargain with themselves about controlled use or hanging out with old using friends "just socially."

Physical Relapse

The final stage is the actual return to substance use or addictive behavior. By this point, complacency has often created such distance from recovery supports that the individual finds themselves with few barriers between them and relapse.

I remember a client who had five years of sobriety when he decided he didn't need his weekly group therapy anymore. "I'm stable now," he insisted. Within six months, he'd stopped attending meetings altogether. Three months after that, he convinced himself he could handle occasional social drinking. The outcome was predictable to everyone but him—a full-blown relapse that cost him his marriage and nearly his job.

The Dangers of Complacency

The consequences of relapse extend far beyond just returning to substance use. For many, relapse brings intensified health problems because tolerance has decreased during sobriety, making overdose a serious risk. Legal issues often follow, especially when desperate attempts to obtain substances lead to poor decision-making. Relationships damaged during active addiction but carefully rebuilt during recovery can shatter again, sometimes irreparably.

Perhaps most devastating is the psychological impact. Many individuals experience profound shame after relapse, viewing themselves as failures despite the fact that relapse is actually common in recovery. This shame can make it harder to reach out for help and re-engage with recovery.

The statistics paint a sobering picture. According to recent data, approximately 40-60% of people in recovery will experience some form of relapse. This doesn't mean recovery "doesn't work"—rather, it highlights that addiction is a chronic condition requiring ongoing management, much like diabetes or hypertension.

We've witnessed the collateral damage of complacency-driven relapse countless times at Prescott House. The men who come to us after relapse often describe a gradual disengagement from recovery practices, followed by a period of "testing the waters" that quickly escalated into full-blown relapse. As one client put it, "I thought I had graduated from recovery, but addiction was just waiting for me to skip class."

Combating Complacency in Recovery

Preventing complacency requires intention and awareness. Here are some practical strategies that have proven effective:

Regular Self-Assessment

Developing a habit of honest self-reflection is crucial. This might involve journaling, meditation, or regular check-ins with a sponsor or therapist. The key questions to ask include: "Am I still actively engaging in my recovery?" "Have I been cutting corners?" "Am I being fully honest with myself and others?"

Maintaining Strong Support Systems

Recovery thrives in community. Continuing to attend support meetings, even when things are going well, provides accountability and perspective. These communities offer the invaluable gift of connecting with others who understand the recovery journey intimately.

Engaging in Ongoing Therapy

Professional support remains valuable even in long-term recovery. Therapy provides a safe space to explore emerging challenges and address underlying issues that could potentially trigger relapse if left unaddressed.

Practicing Mindfulness

Practicing Mindfulness

Mindfulness practices help individuals stay present and aware of their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. This increased awareness allows for early detection of complacency signs. Many in recovery find that regular meditation, even for just a few minutes daily, helps them recognize when they're starting to drift from their recovery foundations.

Setting New Recovery Goals

Recovery can become stale without growth. Setting new goals related to personal development, service work, or deepening recovery knowledge can maintain engagement and prevent the boredom that often feeds complacency. These goals don't need to be grandiose—sometimes small steps yield the most sustainable progress.

At Prescott House, we emphasize the concept of "recovery fitness"—just like physical fitness requires regular exercise, recovery requires consistent maintenance. One staff member who's been in recovery for over 20 years starts every morning by asking himself, "What am I doing for my recovery today?" This simple practice has helped him avoid the complacency trap that claims many others.

Maintaining Momentum in Long-Term Recovery

As recovery extends into years and decades, maintaining momentum requires more than just avoiding relapse—it involves building a life that makes continued recovery worthwhile and fulfilling.

Finding Purpose Beyond Sobriety

In early recovery, staying sober is often the primary goal. As recovery progresses, however, developing purpose and meaning becomes crucial. This might involve career development, education, creative pursuits, or service to others. When life has meaning, the temptation to return to addiction diminishes.

We've observed that men who thrive in long-term recovery typically find ways to give back. Whether through sponsorship, volunteer work, or even careers in the addiction field, helping others strengthens their own recovery. As the saying goes, "We keep what we have by giving it away."

Embracing Growth and Change

Recovery isn't static. The approaches that work in early recovery might need adjustment as life circumstances change. Being open to evolving one's recovery practice prevents the stagnation that often leads to complacency.

One Prescott House alumnus described his 15-year recovery journey as "constantly reinventing my approach while keeping the core principles intact." When he became a father, he shifted from evening meetings to morning meditation. When he changed careers, he found a new support group closer to his workplace. This flexibility allowed his recovery to adapt to life changes rather than becoming a rigid system he might eventually abandon.

Building a Balanced Life

Recovery that focuses exclusively on avoiding substances or addictive behaviors without addressing overall life balance is vulnerable to complacency. A balanced life includes:

• Physical health through regular exercise and proper nutrition
• Meaningful connections with others
• Intellectual stimulation and growth
• Spiritual or philosophical practices that provide perspective
• Recreational activities that bring joy and relaxation

I'm reminded of a client who jokingly called himself "the most boring success story" because his long-term recovery wasn't marked by dramatic transformations but by consistent attention to life balance. "I just keep showing up," he said, "for my family, my job, my meetings, and myself." That "showing up" has sustained his recovery for over a decade.

Recent Developments and Future Trends in Relapse Prevention

The field of addiction recovery continues to evolve, with new research and technologies offering promising approaches to preventing complacency and relapse.

Advances in Understanding Addiction Neurobiology

Recent research has deepened our understanding of how addiction affects brain function and how recovery allows for neurological healing. This knowledge helps explain why complacency is so dangerous—the neural pathways established during active addiction remain present even after years of sobriety, making return to use easier if recovery practices lapse.

Studies show that the brain continues to heal and form new connections throughout recovery, but this process requires active engagement in recovery practices. When individuals become complacent and disengage from these practices, they miss opportunities for continued neurological healing.

Technology-Enhanced Recovery Support

Digital tools are transforming how people maintain recovery momentum. Mobile apps now offer sobriety tracking, daily check-ins, immediate connection to support networks, and even AI-driven early warning systems that can detect potential relapse risks through changes in communication patterns or location data.

Virtual reality (VR) therapy represents another frontier, allowing individuals to practice coping with high-risk situations in controlled environments before facing them in real life. This technology is particularly promising for addressing complacency by providing realistic simulations of challenging scenarios that long-term recovery individuals might not regularly encounter.

Integration of Multiple Approaches

Treatment providers increasingly recognize that addressing complacency requires integrating multiple evidence-based approaches. The most effective relapse prevention now commonly combines:

• Cognitive-behavioral strategies for identifying and changing unhelpful thought patterns
• Mindfulness practices for increasing awareness and acceptance
• Motivational techniques for maintaining engagement
• Medication-assisted treatment when appropriate
• Trauma-informed care addressing underlying issues

At Prescott House, we've witnessed the evolution of relapse prevention approaches over decades. Where once a one-size-fits-all approach was common, we now develop individualized relapse prevention plans that account for each person's unique triggers, strengths, and circumstances. This personalization is crucial for addressing complacency, as the warning signs and effective interventions vary widely between individuals.

The Role of Community in Preventing Complacency

Perhaps no factor is more important in combating complacency than community connection. Isolation is both a symptom of complacency and a catalyst for its growth. Remaining actively engaged with others in recovery provides several protective benefits:

Accountability

When we're connected to others who know our recovery journey, subtle shifts toward complacency rarely go unnoticed. The friend who asks

Conclusion

Complacency remains one of the most significant yet underrecognized threats to sustained recovery. By understanding its subtle warning signs, maintaining vigilance, and continuously engaging with recovery practices, individuals can protect their hard-won sobriety. At Prescott House, our mission extends beyond helping men achieve initial recovery—we're committed to equipping them with the awareness, tools, and community connections necessary to recognize and combat complacency throughout their lifetime journey of recovery. Remember that recovery isn't about perfection but about progress, and acknowledging the ongoing nature of this work is perhaps the most powerful antidote to complacency itself.

If you find yourself drifting toward complacency in your recovery journey, reach out. The strength of recovery lies not in going it alone but in reconnecting with the support and practices that sustain lasting transformation. Your recovery is too valuable to rest on your laurels—it deserves your continued investment and attention.

References

• The Five Stages of Addiction Recovery | RACNJ
• Addiction Relapse Prevention - StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf
• Reducing Relapse Risk - Whole Health Library - VA.gov
• Recovery and Recovery Support | SAMHSA
• Treatment and Recovery | National Institute on Drug Abuse

‍