Originally Posted by
AAPJ 
Sure glad to oblige. I count myself as an AAer. Here is my thought on the matter. If we are debating sobriety dates I would simply look at the sobriety date celebration coin for the answer:
To thine own self be true.
Agree and for me, and my understanding of
the program of AA none of this is (
should be) about shame or judgment of anyone who relapses. I say relapse intentionally bc most of you know I loathe the use of the word slip as it implies accidental use and I always believe we make a choice to use or not.
I don't believe an amount of sobriety is or should be thrown away; however, whether you literally count days or not, AA is about continuous sobriety. That is even asked when giving out chips in many meetings. I also believe it is a slippery slope - most stories I hear of what I am about to say support this- when someone in the program has a drink or two....which is a version of moderation...because it so typically leads to greater "justifiable" use at some point.
Also, I too struggled with a sweet addiction, specifically ice cream and frozen yogurt, after my back injury that had me sidelined, emotionally fraught even depressed at one point...and I saw parallels to my anxiety around having enough yogurt in hand to my past with vodka. I did a step one and rectified my addict brain directing my behavior. I also avoid foods with alcohol, including research ahead of time on menus, learning about what typically includes alcohol , like many pasta sauces, and sending something in question back or stopping to eat it immediately. This works for me.
I do not believe that prescribed and monitored mental health meds are mind altering in the same way as what we commonly call drugs (of which alcohol is indeed one). Medicine is a tool that supports my sobriety, emotional and therefore physical. To me, this is a whole other discussion about things like good drs with addiction expertise for example, efficacy, duration of use, intent, etc.
Again I am speaking from my ESH, experience and two and a half years of listening to others and importantly, observing their behaviors.
Anyone who chooses to drink again should be welcomed back - all AA
the program requires is a desire to stop drinking whether it is for the first and only time (my plan which I work daily to execute) or the umpteenth.