Laura567

Hi,

I wrote here before about an employee of mine who got caught drinking. According to the company rules I had the chance to offer her help through a recovery program. Which is all fine, she is doing great. Had a meeting with the people who are in charge of the recovery program and it was depressing. This woman was first time in recovery at the age of 30. She is now 60. For 30 years she has been bouncing in and out of recovery. Long times of sobriety, but still the monster never goes away. I am struggling with a few days sober, a slip, some more days sober and another slip. And I really get depressed to see someone fighting all their life, I don´t want to fight all my life.

Muunray

I really don't know why they gave you those details anyways. I don't think that was appropriate.

Anna

I'm also surprised that the recovery program people would discuss those details with you, her boss.

Altoids

It only feels like a struggle for me on some days. Most days are awesome and drinking isn't a concern, thought or struggle, and I soooo share this feeling. It can be depressing. BUT, I am diligent to center myself and commit to not drinking everyday. The problem for me is that I don't know when those bad times are gonna crop up.

This topic came up in an AA meeting recently. IF you had cancer, you would need radiation and/or chemo. If you needed dialysis, you'd be hooked to a machine several times a week. For people with our ailment, we find others like us (SR, AA, ....), make a daily commitment, and don't pick up the first drink. Our ailment ain't an easy path at all, but it beats being hooked up to a machine or having horrendous drugs coursing thru our veins.

Building a life worthy of your work, build a network of support so slips are less likely, create attitudes of gratitude and looking for joy and positive things, live honestly. . . THEN the struggles we face can been seen as a time of growth and strength.

You can do this.

Fly N Buy

Very possible she never has never admitted to her inner most self she is a real alcoholic. Relapse DOES NOT have to be part of recovery. Willingness and desire to quit and understanding of WHY one drinks helps keep people sober.

Many - Me included - had in the back of their minds they would drink again. Until that changes, the fight will continue.

If you want to quit more than anything, you can - without relapse.

Peace.....

Altoids

This is so true.

Taking5

There is another thread floating around about fighting and surrender. I no longer fight alcohol. Alcohol won. I gave up. I surrendered.

From this point, which many would call hopeless, I can stay sober.

If you are in AA, and you are thinking that you are "fighting" alcohol or you are going to "beat" your addiction, let me respectfully suggest that you have not taken step 1 yet.

Dee74

I'm not struggling Laura - I love my sober life - and I'm not unique

There is lasting peace and happiness this side of the fence. Don;t let your inner addict suggest otherwise.

What do you think you need to do to turn these periods of sobriety into a permanent change?

PurpleKnight

You can turn this around Laura, get a plan in place, do what you need to do to remain Sober permanently and move on once and for all into a happier chapter in your life!!

Viperidae

I'm struggling too Laura. Good luck. And you CAN do it.

Croissant

I think one of our biggest mistakes can be to measure someone else's recovery - or lack of, against our own. I could sit here and get really depressed about statistics - but, my focus needs to be on a life without alcohol that works for me.

I can only say for me, that I grieved a lot in the beginning - for many things. For me, that was a natural part of the process of facing and then accepting drinking wasn't for me.

It was hard, and definitely contributed to my first slip. But now, I'm starting to embrace my future, the AV and I have discussions sometimes, rarely - but I'm in a really good place now. Journalling has helped me in many ways also.

Don't be disheartened, this is one woman's story - yours could be quite different and amazing. Make it so.

soberlicious

What any other person has done or not done has no bearing at all on what you can do.