LadyBlue0527

Sobriety and recovery are hard work. This board is monumental in helping you succeed. If you fall off please don't shy away from here because of how you feel about relapsing. It's what I did because I was so monumentally embarrassed. If I had just come back here and listened to reason and kept trying . I wish I had done that.

There's a lot of understanding on this board and a whole lot of the best help you can find.

Arpeggioh

LB: I could've written that post myself, in exactly those same words. The guilt and shame drove me away from here immediately. The view from the other side of the fence is completely different! I would never judge anyone who slips or relapses, only encourage them...but when I was the one slipping and falling, I never would believe that!

I realize now I always had two choices: come crawling back months later, sicker than I'd ever been before...or bounce right back here the next day for support and guidance. Duh!! Arp

Rar

Thank you for these posts. If I hadn't read them, I probably wouldn't be posting. I'm crawling back after a long relapse. Today is Day 5.

Soberwolf

Awesome thread

Easy2slip

Yep!

I came back after a little "Slip".

Now I am on day 30 something and on to living a much better life!

Arpeggioh

Yes, rar, I don't think the importance of this concept can be stressed enough: a relapse, a slip, falling off the wagon, should never be a reason to abandon all hope and drink until we're dead. Second, third, twentieth chances are always opportunities to finally Git 'er Done for good! Staying away from SR never did me a damned bit of good...

Hevyn

Thank you for that great advice, Lady. I'm so glad you're here with us - and in the process of healing.

ZenLifter

Thank you, LadyBlue. I failed to quit many times, myself...how then could I judge anyone else for the same thing without being a complete hypocrite?

P.S. A proverb : "Fall a thousand times, get up a thousand and one."
(But hopefully not THAT many) ��

Stubbs16

Thank you for this post. That's exactly why I stepped back from SR many times. Still working on total sobriety. Not giving up hope or faith it will happen!

Zaec

I've done this numerous times as well.

2 reasons for me staying away:

First I was ashamed after a relapse because I was all positive that this time it was the time.

Secondly I would stay away because I believed I was not an alcoholic and therefor this was not for me.

We all know I am an alcoholic and that's just my AV telling me lies!

bluedog97

Bit of a confession here. I first joined back in 2013 under a different name. I'm actually on my third name. My first two names were named after casinos. Just shows how sick I was (still am).

After countless attempts and failing, Dee and the other moderators and all of you always welcomed me back. I don't know where I'd be if it weren't for SR.

I'm not advocating relapse and I'm not proud it took me so long, but many of us, I realize, don't get it on the first try. Keep coming back.

Arpeggioh

I'm so glad this thread keeps getting bumped back up to the top; so many of us have returned more than once. As I posted elsewhere: SR never shut the door on my sorry a**, no matter how many times I disappeared, and for that I am eternally grateful!

(Hey bluedog: I like this new name, I think you should keep it for, like, forever!)

Jillian2563

I often stayed away as well because of shame. Thanks for the post.

Arpeggioh

Bump to front page, because I think this thread is important to many. Thanks, LadyBlue!

maimaitreya

I've had many struggles and relapses. Basically I've quit drinking/using after every binge for many years. Every morning I'd wake up hung over, sick and shaking I'd say"never again, I'm quiting." Sometimes I'd make it a week, a few times a month or so, but usually it was a couple days. It was so hard to go back to AA, but I did. I found this sight recently so I've added it to my recovery. I really want sobriety. SR is a big part of what's keeping me sober. Thanks all.

Delilah1

I love this thread!! If you look at my join date and my sobriety date you will see quite a difference in time.

Like you, I stopped posting after a relapse. I came back sometimes weeks, sometimes months later to try again. I wish I had come back immediately and posted.

SR is my biggest support. I hit five months of sobriety this week due to this amazing community. If you are struggling and you read this please stay here and keep posting.

Have a great Friday everyone.

❤️ Delilah

rc4dt1

Great reminder. Never give up on trying to stay sober if that is what you want. I have been back and forth for years. This time I feel an enthusiasm and commitment that I have never felt before.

We never know when the miracle could happen. I have had many moments when I thought, "what's the use?!", but I'm so grateful that I kept trying.

csaw1112

Lol I used to be the annoying guy starting a new "Day 1 again" thread every other day, and drunk-posting at that. Even being the nuissance that I was, i recieved love and support, not judgement.
Like said ALWAYS COME BACK!

Arpeggioh

Another bump for a thread that might help another "frequent flyer" come back to this awesome community...

Behappy1

Great thread!! I too am on user name number 2. Too humiliated to come crawling back. But even when I did, it was welcomed with open arms.