There would be very few people on this site that nailed sobriety the first time....
The key to long term sobriety is never taking that first drink ever...sounds easy....
I mean it sounds so easy and it is for a non alcoholic ....for us ...not so.
I don't believe that you lost those 8 months...it is a better way to live, you have the comparison...you know the despair that comes from drinking. Pour what you have out and join us...dig your heels in and tell your AV where to go...Let it know that you are back and you are running your life.