Hi Smiley
Welcome.
I'm an Aussie, but it's good to have another Kiwi here
I relapsed lots of times because, although my intent was pure, I just...stopped drinking.
I didn't change anything else in my life, and my life involved drinking a lot - in fact for the last part my life was set up *for* drinking.
It's hard to be a non drinking peg in a drinker's shape hole, y'know?
When I got sober back in 07 I had to change my routine, I had to find new things to do, new people to hang with....
I also had to do a lot of work on myself. I reckon I drank for a lot of underlying reasons - far more than I just liked a drink.
You may be different, but I drank for fear, anger, pain relief, lack of self esteem, boredom, shyness etc. etc.
I removed the alcohol, but to not work on the issues that started me drinking in the first place would have bought me back to the bottle quick smart.
Like I say your situation may not exactly intersect with mine, but I just wanted to put my experience out there
I should also add I've had pancreatitis (tho obviously not as bad as your case) so I know it's no picnic - I hope you find a solution and feel better soon
D