Why We Fall Harder After A Sober Period?
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Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Queens, NY
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Why We Fall Harder After A Sober Period?
The best i figure, it's a false sense of confidence. We get sober for a week, a month, 6 months, 3 years. We think we are in control. We take that drink, and think that isn't so bad. But the kicker I think (the real secret evil): Well, I have already proved to myself I can quit, so I will go down this path, and when and if it gets too far, I'll stop like I did last time - BAM THE KISS OF DEATH. Law of diminishing returns if you ask me, you will only push harder and faster to the bottom.
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Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Near Scranton PA
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I saw a graph in a book from Hazelden, when I was in rehab, that illustrated how addiction progresses even when you're in remission. I'll have to look for it. It's two lines coming from a common point, on the left. One goes up at a 45 deg angle and one down at the same angle. Call them "Euphoria" and "Despair".
The point of the graph was, that as you get sober and progress upward, on the euphoria line, your capacity for despair progresses at the same rate along the downward trending line.
When we relapse, we don;t drop back to where we were when we got sober, we go to some place lower and darker.
The point of the graph was, that as you get sober and progress upward, on the euphoria line, your capacity for despair progresses at the same rate along the downward trending line.
When we relapse, we don;t drop back to where we were when we got sober, we go to some place lower and darker.
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Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Austin, Texas
Posts: 1,387
This thread really scared me for some reason. I guess because I was sober for 8 years, drank, sober for 9 years, drank for 4 years, now sober 8 months. Yeah, it gets worse/harder each time....I could not have been much lower than I was when I quit last time. And it really kicks your arse physically as you get older. I don't have another recovery in me, I don't think. Serious stuff.
4-23-2012
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 32
I agree, as soon as I feel good again, I think its time for a drink. I wish I could record the feeling of withdrawal and play it back when I crave a drink. Its easy to forget how bad it can get when you stop drinking. Day 4 of sobriety for me, and I am starting to feel human again.
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Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Middle of no where, oklahoma
Posts: 2,696
I've gained alot of insight in the last 4 months and relapse is not an option for me, it scares the hell out of me. I watched as people relapsed and thought I was screwed.
I'm not. for me to drink is to die and I am willing to go to any lengths.
My health will not handle it and I don't believe I'd stop.
I'm not. for me to drink is to die and I am willing to go to any lengths.
My health will not handle it and I don't believe I'd stop.
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Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 1,138
Originally Posted by SOBERINNEPA 
I saw a graph in a book from Hazelden, when I was in rehab, that illustrated how addiction progresses even when you're in remission. I'll have to look for it. It's two lines coming from a common point, on the left. One goes up at a 45 deg angle and one down at the same angle. Call them "Euphoria" and "Despair".
The point of the graph was, that as you get sober and progress upward, on the euphoria line, your capacity for despair progresses at the same rate along the downward trending line.
The point of the graph was, that as you get sober and progress upward, on the euphoria line, your capacity for despair progresses at the same rate along the downward trending line.
I also think there are little gremlins that grease the slide when we're not looking. And we think, "That slide used to be fun, maybe I'll try it again." And then -- whoops!
More seriously, I think age and the general progression of the disease make it a lot easier to hit bottom more quickly when you pick back up. You're not starting fresh -- you're starting where you left off.
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Join Date: Feb 2009
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Yes I agree it's progressive. If you're in a chronic relapse pattern, I think it also takes a toll on your spirit over time.
Actually I usually got back on the wagon after one or two days relapse, but they were quite scary, I had some terrible blackouts and sickness afterwards, can count myself lucky to have survived some. When I started drinking, I would often think 'Okay I've had one I've ruined it, so I'm going to go all out.' which is typical alcoholic thinking. It's the first one that really does the damage.
Actually I usually got back on the wagon after one or two days relapse, but they were quite scary, I had some terrible blackouts and sickness afterwards, can count myself lucky to have survived some. When I started drinking, I would often think 'Okay I've had one I've ruined it, so I'm going to go all out.' which is typical alcoholic thinking. It's the first one that really does the damage.
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