It takes a whole lot to get clean and stay that way. I applaud your efforts and your continuing fight. Being on the other side I will have to admit I have looked at one who is now clean with doubts. I'm sorry, I shouldn't but I have had my trust broken before, so I can relate to your poem and how someone may look doubtful at you. You aren't that same person you were 2 plus years ago. Remember that! Keep pushing, prove them all wrong, you owe that to yourself. Hugs!

Your poems are seriously full of emotion and so reflective, that's always what I've appreciated when reading. You don't give BS. You admit mess-ups while screaming that you are still human.

Aren't we all? Perhaps it's optimistic (and unrealistic) to say we should not define others by their past. How can we forever condemn them especially if they are actively realizing any harmful or toxic behavior and want the resources, even if they know it will be a bumpy road... there's not always going to be hope or promises we can keep. I think that's just life. What matters is our intent. We can have the best intent yet still hurt others, that just means we need to keep pushing, that doesn't mean we're complete goners.

I think it's huge what you shared in the comments. If our actions have seriously and negatively impacted someone else, will we ever be able to repay them, or go back in time. Can we make reparations that are honest, even if relapses happen, what is our goal? Because I've noticed it before, people don't understand you can be in recovery and lapse into the same habits. That's awful, but it happens. Recovery is not a perfect road. I truly think most people would rather write off people who struggle with addiction rather than try to understand. Yes, you need a healthy balance of being supportive with resources yet knowing the disease part of addiction, that you can't always be thir guiding light if they need a better support that you can't provide.

Thank you for sharing this, so much emotion and vulnerability brimming here.

Addiction can be oppressed and never return to that state! Its not an easy task but if you set your mind to it you can achieve anything in life!!!! The one thing i learned with this is that you have to do it for yourself, not for anyone, but you!!!
Be strong and keep on writing... :)