ImReadyToQuit

Ya might be like me.. I did 18 months sober.. Then took about 3 momths from one beer.. to a liter of whiskey a day (well, at night) (AGAIN) for the last month. So I'm back.. 3 days sober.. Another lesson learned.

T1234

My mother recently suddenly passed away at the end of November. I was at 18 months up until last night when I bought some beer. Drank 4 ounces of one of them, stopped, got rid of the rest and came on to SR. Not sure what it exactly was.... a slip... a relapse... one of the same... just knew that I didn't want to continue with what I had just done.

Fallow

Hey ImReadyToQuit. I remember you fondly. Welcome back!

I know how hard it was for me to come back here (repeatedly). Hope you can ease back into sobriety.

ImReadyToQuit

The transition is pretty easy.. It's been a quite rough year as far as work. my mother being near death among other things.. No excuses.. Just I saw myself going back to that dark place quickly.

TheEnd

For me recovery has become a part of my life so I can't forget about. I do not work a formal program, but believe that all the things I do on a regular basis help build me physically, mentally, and spiritually. Whether it's working on my PhD, doing a 20 mile run, or searching for a deeper meaning about life, all these things support and propel my recovery.

Justfor1

You didn't lose those 18 months. You will still have that year & half to, hopefully, draw strength from & get back on the wagon.

NYCDoglvr

This is so true. In AA we call it doing more research. I hope you don't let the ego thing affect your recovery. Getting 18 months is a very good thing and you have tools now to stay sober. It's a good idea to look at the circumstances and feelings that lead to drinking and make whatever changes are necessary. Most of all, focus on what you have -- sober reference/experience -- and keep on keeping on. We can only be sober TODAY.

2granddaughters

It shows that 18 months is nothing to alcoholism. It is patient and powerful.

One day at a time is all I can/need to handle.

Included in my daily eat/breathe/sleep/poop etc I added pray/think/go to meetings.

It's worked for quite a few 24 hrs.

All the best.

Bob R

aasharon90

When I stray away from my recovery, don't
incorperated the teaching of recovery thru
the steps, principles, faith, commandments,
then my serenity has taken a hike and has
traveled way down the road. I don't feel at
peace with myself and old habits begin to
creep in. Say for instance, cussing. For me
as a woman and lady, cussing makes me
sound like a group of guys in a pool hall
or bar. There's nothing feminine about
cussing.

That is just one of a few other not so nice
things that crop up that takes away my
serenity and I have to quickly get myself
back on track.

As long as I continue to practice the principles
and steps of my recovery program in all areas
of my daily life, then im pretty sure I'll be
granted another day sober and peace within.

It's a better way of life than being drunk, crazy
or dead.

paul99

Well said. When I start feeling "off" then I know I am not doing something, or not doing enough of something. The moment my ego starts to want to run the show, that's when things slowly slide...

Congrats on coming back! The power of alcoholism is mighty...

Dee74

I'm really sorry to read that IRTQ - but yeah it never changes 'out there'
I'm glad you made it back tho.

D

Justfor1

If I had 18months & relapsed I would focus on the fact that I can stay sober even if I relapsed. I did not believe I could ever really get sober so I kinda was just resigned to a alcohol/drug related death. I was no longer afraid of the consequences & no longer had respect for myself or rules of society. My point is, that in those 18months I am sure you have improved your "quality of life." I have almost 18months minus a day or two & believe I am a miracle.

LadyinBC

This is a very good point. It seems that we focus too much on the relapse and forget about the sober part. 18 months is darn good and no on can take that away from you.

For myself I know I have to keep working on myself and can't become complacent. I['ve pretty well resigned myself to the fact that I can never drink "normally" again. I can't stop at one. If I started again I would be right back where I ended last time. Living with my daughter and her hubby has been so helpful because I am not by myself and don't have time for the stinky thinky at this point.

Justfor1

[QUOTE=LadyinBC;3732132]This is a very good point. It seems that we focus too much on the relapse and forget about the sober part. 18 months is darn good and no on can take that away from you.

The 54 times I relapsed people would always warn be how dangerous it was & the terrible consequences drinking had cost me. Well guess what? I knew it was a horrible decision when I pick the first drink & actually anticipate ending up in a jail cell or hospital. Yet I did it anyway. So for myself, I tend to focus on the positives that sobriety brings me.

Thepatman

I see this as learning about yourself not failure at all.

You are now wiser and stronger.

Hevyn

Happy to see you! You never have to go back there again. I had a few false starts, but finally got it right in the end. You will too.

Fernaceman

Recovery is a very personal journey that for me took many slips, stumbles, and falls (sometimes literally, LOL) to get back to where I am today.