Another try.
 

Hello everyone. I am new here but not new to recovery and constant relapse. I have have many, many 24 hours sober in my life (56 years old) and many also drinking and using. I am eighteen hours sober right now.

All the rest can come out over time, but I am making a new commitment today, just glad to be here, for today.

Rex

Welcome to SR. You will find a lot of support here!

Glad you are here too :)

Thanks to both of you. Just passed my first day sober (AGAIN) a couple hours ago.

Feels OK, although the first day back is rarely a very comfortable day.

I have the most incentive this time ever though.

As far as a "bottom" though, fergit that, the only "bottom" we as active alcoholics/addicts will ever know is a grave....of course, "your mileage may vary"..........

Welcome Rex! Maybe this time, unlike all the other times, you will not pick up again. You could be ready for a new life, one without the drama & uncertainty that drinking causes.

I was definitely ready by the time I hit my 50's. I had spent so much precious time trying to be a social drinker. I was never able to control the amounts I drank or how long my binge would last. My body was tired - and I couldn't snap back the way I once had. Plus, if I was honest - it wasn't even a little bit fun anymore. It was becoming dangerous and unpredictable.

I hope you'll continue to read and post here - let us know how you're doing. We care.

Welcome...You say you have many sober 24 hours...I assume you have been in AA?

You just condensed my life story.....LOL, boy did you EVER hit the nail on the head!!!!!

Thanks

Rex

Welcome! Do you have a plan for recovery?

Yes. For the better part of fourteen years. Unfortunately(or fortunately). Nine spent in recovery, five in, well, not every day, but the rest in if not misery, at least suspended animation.

Rex

You're not the first Rex...You know how it works....

Stay strong, Rex. Keep reading and posting.

Yes, what worked before. Meetings, counseling, don't f'ing pick up.

Stay busy and eat well, get plenty of fresh air, exercise, and sleep.

Oh yeah, reach out for help and to give help to another in recovery....just got off the phone with my sponsor.

Rex

The steps are the solution!

Sounds like a plan Rex...Welcome to SR...We can use your experience, strength and hope here.

Absolutely......which is what makes this disease SO cunning, baffling, and POWERFUL.

Which also keeps me from completely giving up......I'm at day one, which in reality, when we wake up, is what any of us have.

I relapsed when I figured I never would or could.......

We all have 24 hours...Who woke up the earliest?

Are u a fan of the xfiles show? Welcome, by the way.

AA definately does work if we put in the effort. I had three very good years of sobriety working the program. I got complacent and stopped doing the things that kept me sober and peaceful, and eventually started drinking and using again. It was a valuable lesson.

Keep coming back!

God bless.

To the first question.....NEVER missed an episode....LOL

As to your observation, yes, my years of my recovery were my best ever. Not to skewer a sacred cow, but I NEVER stopped going to meetings.

When I relapsed all I did was start letting my stinkin' thinkin' back in, and forgetting what brought me into recovery in the first place.

Like you said.......a VALUABLE lesson......

Rex

Good to see you are back and on the path again Rex.....Too many people don't make it back.

Got THAT right, at my home group, which has been around for over 65 years, we have a wall at the back of the room, the Obits of those I personally knew over the past fourteen years.....mostly those that went back out, must number around 30.

I came in with a few, and went to meetings with many.

I really don't want to grace that wall with my obit any time soon......

Rex