Recovery and the Relapse
 

Hello,

I have been doing well staying sober for a while now. I spent my Saturday thinking of how at peace I felt being sober.

I relapsed yesterday. I don't know why considering I was doing so well. I don't understand how the temptation overpowered me.

I'm trying to look at this as a minor set back and I'll be back on track now. How do you not let a one day relapse ruin you though? The shame hurts.

For me it came from countless fall backs. I finally got tired of the same old story that I went thru after picking up that first drink. Now I 'play the tape forward' in my head recalling the Day 1's I have had...the scary detoxing for days that made me insane and the awful feelings I had about myself. Even if I don't feel 'on top of the world' some days. I am sober. I refuse to put myself in another intoxicated state because I will die.

?
 

What's your poison?

It's a mindset change. You can feel ruined, wallow in shame. Or recommit to your recovery.

You said you are back on track. What can you bolster to ensure you don't relapse again. What weren't you doing that you could add to your recovery? Support? A substance abuse program. Even something as simple as posting daily to SR is adding to your sobriety, and definitely posting before you drink.

I just had a one day relapse after 22 months. I am not going to let it drag me down one bit. It would do no good anyway. I am much more focused on making sure it doesn't happen again. Stay strong.

Good attitude!