RECOVERY: WHOSE JOB IS IT?

The old-timer hadn't seen Mike at meetings for a long time when he ran into him grocery shopping. "Good to see you again, Mike. It's been a long time. How are you doing?"

"Okay," said Mike. "Got in a fight at work and lost my job. Things aren't so good at home, but I haven't used. And I know what you're going to say."

"You do?" said the old-timer.

"Yeah. You were going to say, why don't I go back to the meetings."

"So, why don't you?"

"Aw, the program just doesn't work for me," answered Mike.

"It doesn't work for me either," said the old-timer. "It doesn't work for anyone."

"What?"

"To recover from addiction and experience that happy, joyous and free thing, you have to work the program."