Ekohe

And here I thought I was rid of temptation, 6 months and bam birthday fueled a "one for your birthday."

Well we all know how that ends, on day 2. I know where I left off and what to do to ensure this does not happen again. Safe to say my body has been letting me know what it thinks of my slip.

Don't give up on me just yet, I've got this.

D122y

6 months is amazing. How many did you drink after the initial 1 for your bday?

What was your av telling you after the initial slip?

I'm 22 months sober and could have easily slipped so many times.

Ekohe

I had around 9 beers. My thoughts were, if you do it once a year surely you can control it for just your birthday, while I sat at the bar at the end of the night, i thought to myself, "Was it worth it? You know how you'll feel tomorrow right?"

Safe to say I was in a bummed out mood and everyone noticed towards the end of the night. Chugged a few glasses of water and went to bed.

Dee74

I'm sorry you drank Ekohe.

Celebrations can be just as dangerous as sadness, boredom fear or anything else for people like us.

what's your plan?

D

Ekohe

I was writing daily, which kept my mind aimed and accountable. I need to start doing that again. I have to re-engage in activities I did when I was one month to four months in, such as fitness and mindfulness. I'm also starting my own company this year, so I will be extremely busy and I am sure stressed, so I will work on breathing exercises to calm myself, as stress always boosted my anxieties which led to many of my binges. I will also check in here more often, and post.

I realize I got over confident and that was my downfall.

Aquafina

Its not over yet. You still had 6 months of healing.

Dee74

There's a lot of 'stuff' there, but maybe you need a little more on the mechanics of dealing with cravings, triggers and temptations - the nuts and bolts of not drinking again?

Doing what you did before, however much you try harder, may simply land you back in the same spot.

Add some different elements

This is a good link to look at:
http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/...ery-plans.html

D

PhoenixJ

You 'fessed up to yourself. That is positive. Good for you.
Keep posting.

alyn528

First all, I'm glad to see you are here and sharing because always remember you're story even an relapse can help someone else who are suffering within their recovery.

I love this quote and wanted to share it with you - "What defines us is how well we rise after falling." It's so true!! Hang in there ❤

Anna

We are definitely not giving up on you, and you must not give up on yourself.

Delilah1

Glad you came right back today. I find that reading and posting here daily really helps. Six months is great, get right back on your recovery path.

Ekohe

Thank you all for your posts, they hold enormous value to me. I will post more often especially if I am feeling a craving. I will do my best.

Gottalife

A real blessing that the phenomenon of craving did not kick in. You get another chance.

D122y

Ekohe,

While booze is poison, and it will destroy us if we continue to drink, I personally feel that a binge of 9 beers in 180 days will not destroy you.

As long as you are not driving or violent.

I'm not in AA and I feel a clock reset is sort of a guilt trip.

So, I am sure there are others here that agree. Imo...your clock reads 180 and 1. 180 wins...1 loss.

That is a record to be proud of.

imo....the bottom line is we are all addicts for life. Booze is our kryptonite.

That binge could open the door for another one, maybe sooner. That is a real concern.

I vote...remember how the booze really didn't do anything except give an hour or 2 of euphoria.

The lingering aftermath and potential for a disaster is not worth it to us alcoholicly educated folks.

We were physically addicted before. Now it is a mental thing.

Stay clean.

Thanks.

Ekohe

D122y,

I really appreciate your message, and those you have left me in the past. I was having very negatives thoughts about myself, letting myself lose those past few months sober. You're right, they're still there. I will continue to remind myself that I can't drop my guard again. I'm still so new to this but I know I want to remain sober, I have a very big year ahead and I need to be in the proper mind state.

badger257

Welcome! Come join the class of Feb 2017. A lot of great support!

FBL

Pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and try again. I know that I needed a firm plan in place, just in case I felt myself starting to slip. We CAN and DO recover!