Thomas Jefferson said: "The price of freedom is eternal vigilance."

Let's add a couple of words to make the statement applicable to recovery from addictive disease: "The price of freedom [from addiction] is eternal vigilance."

It is vital that a recovering addict or alcoholic find some way to remember, hopefully on a daily basis, that time does not cure addiction and that he/she must be forever vigilant in awareness of any thought or behavior creeping in to weaken the commitment to abstinence from drug or alcohol use. A wonderfully rewarding and effective way to remain eternally vigilant about recovery is to regularly attend meetings of Twelve Step Groups such as AA or NA.