Weaver

Hey guys,

I am so excited to have hit my rock bottom (I know that sounds weird) but I am finally at peace with being an alcoholic and not drinking again.

How do you get past the stupid EMBARRASSING things you have done while drunk? I have made a complete fool out of myself to my wife, her family neighbors etc. I can admit to myself I am an alcoholic but its still very embarrassing for the family to know I am a drunk who had to go to rehab (short stint)


I am excited about my sober journey but still get jitters and the overall feeling of "doom" when I think about my past drunk idiotic ways.

least

It takes time to forgive yourself for the dumb things done while drunk. Work on your recovery, that should help. Have you thought about going for counseling? That might help a lot. Give it a try.

doggonecarl

You can undo them. You can only get past them or let the shame and embarrassment hold you back.

I say the best way to get over the past is to not repeat it. Staying sober will do a lot to repair the damage of your actions.

ScottFromWI

The best way for me to get over it was to look forward instead of back. You cannot change what you did, but you can change what you do. Keeping the promise to yourself to stay sober will go a long way in restoring credibility with those around you.

Congrats on your decision, it will be one of the best you have every made.

Anna

I also found that journaling helped me a lot to get through the guilt and shame. I found that, when I wrote down the words, it took away their power and I could let go. The main thing is to not let your guilt lead you back to drinking.

KateL

This was my biggest challenge. The guilt and embarrassment would often send me backwards. You have to forgive yourself and others will do the same. Those who don't, may not have been very good for you in the first place. Just a thought from my own experience.

DoubleDragons

What helped me was thinking about what I think of when I see others making an a== of themselves when drinking. All I have is empathy and a desire for them to see the light and get help. I feel pity and worry for them, but I don't have a negative, harsh judgment of them. I have been there and so I understand. I think people are only super critical of people who are mean, thoughtless, cruel people. I think most people are very forgiving of people who have problems, make mistakes, but then work on bettering themselves. These are the people everyone roots for in life - the stuff movies are made of . . .

KateL

Great post Double Dragons

HeadLump

Ah, Weaver! I've heard it said that you can't go back and write a new beginning, but you can start from here and write a new ending

Let go of the past, you are already drafting something totally different!

Johnston

I laugh about that stuff at meetings and treat it seriously when home.

KateL

It's good to laugh

digdug

Working the steps of AA (especially 4 & 5) with my sponsor has helped me put that stuff behind me.