Going back out after a long time sober
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Going back out after a long time sober
I was at an AA meeting Tuesday night and a guy admitted that he got drunk Monday night after 10 years of sobriety. A woman in the group then stated that she went back out this past summer after 19 years of sobriety. It was a good reminder to me that alcohol is not only cunning, baffling and powerful, but also very patient.
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Originally Posted by Zebra1275 
I was at an AA meeting Tuesday night and a guy admitted that he got drunk Monday night after 10 years of sobriety. A woman in the group then stated that she went back out this past summer after 19 years of sobriety. It was a good reminder to me that alcohol is not only cunning, baffling and powerful, but also very patient.
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Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 4,682
Good reminder to me that meetings dont make a person sober and any of us had better make sure we have a rock solid foundation of sobriety (HP/God) when life throws us a curve ball!
Meetings are very important though and it is great to be part of the fellowship:-)
Meetings are very important though and it is great to be part of the fellowship:-)
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Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Canada
Posts: 729
I must say at this point I do find it fascinating that someone would embrace sobriety, see the light of it and yet give it up.
I cannot wrap my brain around going back to that hell of a life. I am so thankful for that.
I cannot wrap my brain around going back to that hell of a life. I am so thankful for that.
I got nothin'
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: My house.
Posts: 4,890
Unfortunately it happens to a lot of people. Most addicted people succum to their addiction(s). I'd be a fool if I ever think I have this thing beat.
The only thing I know to do is stick with my supports.
The only thing I know to do is stick with my supports.
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Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Merritt Island, Fl
Posts: 1,164
Originally Posted by Zebra1275
It was a good reminder to me that alcohol is not only cunning, baffling and powerful, but also very patient.
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Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Living in Today!
Posts: 3,944
Originally Posted by Bamboozle
Unfortunately it happens to a lot of people. Most addicted people succum to their addiction(s). I'd be a fool if I ever think I have this thing beat.
The only thing I know to do is stick with my supports.
The only thing I know to do is stick with my supports.
Member
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,237
I've heard from a few people that have had many years sober...then WHAM back on the bottle again....scares the hell out of me.....what I've been told that is if you do relapse, then learn from it...see what lead you to drink again....then work on those areas...... but just the thought of all those years sober then to pick up again.......that's why I am always SO grateful for another day sober....
Member
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Colorado
Posts: 796
I had a good friend who was sober through AA for 8 years. He did 120 meetings in 90 days when he quit.
Was a speaker at meetings, worked the program, all the things you're supposed to do.
He was also a co-worker. And I admired him deeply.
After 8 years he went back out. Within months he was dead.
It still breaks my heart.
Was a speaker at meetings, worked the program, all the things you're supposed to do.
He was also a co-worker. And I admired him deeply.
After 8 years he went back out. Within months he was dead.
It still breaks my heart.
12-Step Recovered Alkie
Join Date: May 2010
Location: West Bloomfield, MI
Posts: 5,797
If it were up to me, I'd rather never drink again.
I'll keep working the program, maintaining my contact with the Power that separates me from alcohol and I'll see where it goes....
Everyone I know who's gone back out quit working on their contact with their HP first......then started running their lives again ......and when you're running the show you quit "needing" AA. Sobriety is important to me but it takes a backseat to my relationship with God. So long as my relationship with God's in order, I don't worry about going back out again.
I'll keep working the program, maintaining my contact with the Power that separates me from alcohol and I'll see where it goes....
Everyone I know who's gone back out quit working on their contact with their HP first......then started running their lives again ......and when you're running the show you quit "needing" AA. Sobriety is important to me but it takes a backseat to my relationship with God. So long as my relationship with God's in order, I don't worry about going back out again.
bona fido dog-lover
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: SF Bay area, CA
Posts: 99,772
I'm working on my recovery/sobriety every single day. I want to always stay alert so that I will not be one of those who goes back out and never comes back...
Thanks Stugotz.
You hit the nail on the head, just sayin'...
Alcohol has NO power over me unless I put it in my body. I was the problen, not the drink. Just sayin...
You hit the nail on the head, just sayin'... 
Member
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Middle of MO
Posts: 666
Been there and done that....and I can tell you it is no fun. I've had a couple long periods of sobriety and relapsed. IME, the longer I go, the tougher it is to go back. Of course, there is always someone with an experience that makes our own look like child's play. I know a fellow who had 18yrs, highly active in AA, who relapsed. I saw him celebrate 10yrs again last month.
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