The area near the precipice of any waterfalls is not a safe place. The river is constricting, gaining speed and power. No individual could stand at the top of the falls without being pulled over into the life threatening torrent below. So it is with addiction. We cannot stand at the precipice of acting out, where our compulsion has its greatest power and strength, and expect our sobriety to survive. We will be pulled into the abyss, losing control, yet again, to our addictive behaviors. We must move upstream to safety. We must move our thoughts and behaviors upsteam to the safe Waters of Recovery, away from the power and pull of our addiction.