Originally Posted by
aeo1313 
I just feel very hopeless right now.
Yesterday you were sober, AEO. Today you are also sober, and you will be sober this entire holiday weekend and beyond.
With sobriety there is hope, Friend, lots of it. When the alcoholic fog lifted I was appalled with who I found. Now almost three years sober I am still a work in progress. But, without sobriety there would be no progress, only digression into a progressively deeper state of oblivion.
You too will progress as you maintain sobriety and work your program. While the line might not be perfectly straight, it will keep getting better. Progress but not perfection, eh?
Lastly, please do not give your addiction one millimeter as you head to the Lake for a long weekend that will be fantastic but will also have no shortage of opportunities to drink.
(paraphrasing) "I am a less angry and better parent when I use"
From a certain vantage point can you see in the above an addicted mind angling towards that next drink and/or pill?
Just keep an eye out for that kind of "stinkin thinkin", k?
May you and yours have a wonderful and safe weekend!