The topic of cavers has been discussed ad nauseam on KTC, but I still feel compelled to ring in on the subject. In this instance, it's not so much the act of caving that I want to focus on, it's the effect that cavers have on other quitters.
First of all, thanks to my quit brother Wastepanel I now understand the difference between a "caver" and a "retread." WP is a retread, perhaps the most famous (or infamous) retread currently roaming the halls of KTC. He returned as a caver, but managed to change his entire perspective and dedicate himself to his quit. This is what is takes to evolve from a "caver" to a "retread." Long story short, a caver can elevate himself or herself to the level of a retread, but it must be done through dedication and commitment to the program.
My first experience with a caver was on Day 3. We had a guy post a Day 1 in April 12 that had apparently caved several times in the past. This particular time he posted his Day 1 along with his lame excuse as to why he couldn't keep the cancer turds out of his mouth. As per the usual, the experienced quitters chimed in with the "Big 3" questions that every caver must answer. Like many cavers, he fell silent and could not conjure up any answers to these questions. This, in turn, led the experienced quitters to begin questioning the integrity of April 12. At that point, I felt compelled to stand up and defend the integrity of my group. Even on Day 3, my attitude was that I came here to quit and I'll be damned if I'm going to let anyone or anything get in my way. Especially a fucking serial caver. So I spoke up and asked this caver to refrain from posting in April 12 until he got his shit straightened out and answered the Big 3 questions. I've actually gone back to re-read this post and I stand by what I said. Now the reactions I received from this post were all over the board. The experienced quitters praised such "leadership" while others in my group chose to criticize me for speaking out on behalf of the group. Those that criticized offered their opinion that I should "just focus on my own quit" and not concern myself with such things as 'us' or 'we'. According to the critics, there was no "we" only "you" and "I". I disagreed then and I disagree now. As I stated in my HOF speech, without the "WE" there is no accountability. Cavers do not see nor do they understand the benefit of "We." The only thing cavers understand is "Me" or "I".
The past few weeks have seen an inordinate amount of cavers returning to post Day 1. Some of these cavers once boasted hundreds of quit days under their belt. The fact that these cavers have returned is not altogether upsetting to me. What has upset me over the past few weeks is the reaction I'm seeing from strong quitters when they see a former brother or sister return to post a Day 1. I'm deeply troubled by the fact that most cavers seem to only be focused on themselves, and they do not comprehend the effect that their cave has on others. A recurrent theme that I see with cavers is their unwavering selfishness. Some silently post a Day 1 and try to sneak under the radar. Some are sarcastic. Others are defiant. Still others prefer to play the victim while everyone is "busting their ass" for caving. But the common thread is and will always be selfishness. Cavers selfishly believe that their failure only affects one person, them. This is not true. Cavers affect everyone they have touched whether it be past or present. Cavers affect those people that supported them in the past and the people that they once supported, yet some of them carry on as if its none of our business.
Several people also warn of complacency in your quit. In my opinion, complacency is selfishness. Complacency is selfishly thinking that you are better than your addiction. Complacency is selfishly thinking that you are better or stronger than your quit brothers and sisters. Complacency is selfishly thinking that you can do this on your own. Complacency is selfishly forgetting why you came to KTC in the first place.
Such thoughts do not and will not cross my mind. I need KTC and all of my quit brothers and sisters now just as much as the day I first registered.
WE Quit Like Fuck