Hi Junebug, in 2000 I got sober for 6.5 years. Relapsed in September of 2006. I went on a 4.5 year bender that lasted until march of 2011. It was awful, I was drinking so much it was as if I had never even quit. Drinking all day, drinking on the way to work, drinking to black out, it was Much worse than before I got sober the first time.
Thankfully, now I know I will die from alcohol if I ever pick up again. My sobriety is much different this time.