In early recovery it is suggested that you stay away from old people, places and things. Because we have lost the choice to use or not to use and have recognized powerlessness, if we continue to be around the drugs and alcohol it will make it very difficult to say no to the drug or drink. You may be able to say no a couple of times but eventually you will have the drink or drug. Usually an addict’s problem is not stopping, it’s staying stopped. The insane thought will come in that maybe I can control it this time and this begins the vicious cycle.