IvanMike

Often we get too cavalier about relapse, thinking that we always have another chance to quit after allowing ourselves a "slip". Surely we have all of the time in the world to get our act together, perhaps when it's more convenient, and besides, "maybe it's not really that bad"...

It's a bit crass, but my friend's shirt says it all....

ZenLifter

I was certainly cavalier about it for a long time, until I got miserable enough to really WANT sobriety. And that part about waiting til it's a more convenient time to quit...a quote:

“Whatever you’re meant to do, do it now. The conditions are always impossible.” ― Doris Lessing

Soberpotamus

^^I like the Doris Lessing quote.

zerothehero

It's a good warning. On the other hand, though, I've read that the average person in sustained recovery relapsed half a dozen times. So, the key is to avoid it (and don't use that stat as an excuse), but if/when it happens don't beat yourself up about it. It happens to most of us more than once. Survive it, learn from it, and recommit...

SoberLife90

Let's remember that relapse doesn't have to be part of your story.

madgirl

Just the thought of relapse terrifies me - it is hard work stringing together time in the first year (to me) and I know I can't live like I had been living as a drinker. Definitely not feeling cavalier about that prospect.

FreeOwl

yep.

relapses happen.

and we learn from them if we allow ourselves to do so.

but we must take care not to allow those statements to lull us into the common belief that 'we can always quit next time'......

because for many, that belief led them right to the Last Time. Ever.

Winslow

Love that shirt! To me it rings true because everytime I've relapsed I needed more and more to get drunk,don't know the exact chemistry of it but I read that when we quit our tolerance doesn't lower it actually increases cuz of the pleasure receptors multiplying or something, wish I could explain it better