Relapse Defined
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2018
Posts: 212
Relapse Defined
Hey all.
Good evening. As mentioned yesterday I had a quantity of gin at the weekend in my week 4. We covered that yesterday. Im still here attempting to support and taking it.
So my question. What is a relapse. Is it an occasional tipple? - a full blown state of drunkenness resulting in physical withdrawal etc ?- a period of continuous drinking? All three?.
Im trying to see how my pause sits in terms of my aim of total abstinence. Are there different sizes , types of relapse?
Regards
Dave 🤠
Good evening. As mentioned yesterday I had a quantity of gin at the weekend in my week 4. We covered that yesterday. Im still here attempting to support and taking it.
So my question. What is a relapse. Is it an occasional tipple? - a full blown state of drunkenness resulting in physical withdrawal etc ?- a period of continuous drinking? All three?.
Im trying to see how my pause sits in terms of my aim of total abstinence. Are there different sizes , types of relapse?
Regards
Dave 🤠
No Dogma Please
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: SoCal
Posts: 2,562
It's up to you. We can give opinions, but in the end you decide.
If your aim is total abstinence I think you've answered the question. How having a "quantity of gin" given your goal can be spun to be OK is not clear to me.
If your aim is total abstinence I think you've answered the question. How having a "quantity of gin" given your goal can be spun to be OK is not clear to me.
Member
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: New England
Posts: 4,420
In terms of the physiology of addiction, any intake is a relapse, because any amount triggers the pleasure center of the brain and erases any forward progress of resetting the brain for accepting a "normal" level of dopamine. (I have a reference for this, PM me if you want it.)
For us personally, relapse can actually be a learning experience- why did that happen, how long until we get back on the sober train, and it actually can be a blip on the screen that makes our resolve even stronger. It can also be a huge backslide and last for years- as so many of us know personally. That's why they are so risky and we work so hard to prevent them from happening.
If total abstinence is your goal, then any intake means you should firm up your plan, carefully examine what happened and by all means, don't pick up.
4 weeks is fantastic, and the good news is you will not lose what you've learned in that time- that experience is yours to build on as you continue to pile up the sober time and strength.
Keep going!
For us personally, relapse can actually be a learning experience- why did that happen, how long until we get back on the sober train, and it actually can be a blip on the screen that makes our resolve even stronger. It can also be a huge backslide and last for years- as so many of us know personally. That's why they are so risky and we work so hard to prevent them from happening.
If total abstinence is your goal, then any intake means you should firm up your plan, carefully examine what happened and by all means, don't pick up.
4 weeks is fantastic, and the good news is you will not lose what you've learned in that time- that experience is yours to build on as you continue to pile up the sober time and strength.
Keep going!
Canine Welfare Advocate
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Norfolk, VA
Posts: 10,962
Originally Posted by daveglass1 
Im trying to see how my pause sits in terms of my aim of total abstinence. Are there different sizes , types of relapse?
1) Those you come back from, and
2) Those you don't.
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2018
Posts: 212
Not Justifying Relapse
Thanks all.
I didnt mean to offer justification. I feel rather sorry for myself if truth be known but I always try to move forward - questioning - learning from others.
So - it doesnt really matter how we define relapse then - just dont do it - whatever you think it means.
And - theres optimism - 4 weeks is good and I can learn to rebuild after my slip.
Thats what Im going to do . A bit like a sports game - I wasnt sure if Id win to nil. But Im certainly going to stretch out for the most goal difference that I can achieve.
Ive always been used to part whole learning - bit like walk before you can run. However Im perceived by the group - Im trying and right now cannot see a pick up point.
Regards
Dave 🤠
I didnt mean to offer justification. I feel rather sorry for myself if truth be known but I always try to move forward - questioning - learning from others.
So - it doesnt really matter how we define relapse then - just dont do it - whatever you think it means.
And - theres optimism - 4 weeks is good and I can learn to rebuild after my slip.
Thats what Im going to do . A bit like a sports game - I wasnt sure if Id win to nil. But Im certainly going to stretch out for the most goal difference that I can achieve.
Ive always been used to part whole learning - bit like walk before you can run. However Im perceived by the group - Im trying and right now cannot see a pick up point.
Regards
Dave 🤠
Administrator
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Dancing in the Light
Posts: 61,510
My opinion is that a relapse is when a drop of alcohol crosses your lips.
You can make your own definition of a relapse if you like.
I'm glad you're back to working on your recovery.
You can make your own definition of a relapse if you like.
I'm glad you're back to working on your recovery.
Forum Leader
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Wisconsin, USA
Posts: 16,945
Relapse, slip, oops, mistake - lots of different words, but they all mean the same thing. Willingly and knowingly drinking any amount of alcohol of any kind is not abstinence in my book.
What's far more important though is to make a plan to get back to abstinence and stay there. What happened has happened, so learn from it and move on.
What's far more important though is to make a plan to get back to abstinence and stay there. What happened has happened, so learn from it and move on.
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2018
Posts: 212
Thanks Anna
Im leaning on you lot for the answer - if I knew it all I shouldnt have ended up throwing a load of my life away.
Im on this learning curve and wanting the knowledge and viewpoints is helping me along the way. Like a game of snakes and ladders - Im trying to lose the dice.
Thank you
Dave 🤠
Im on this learning curve and wanting the knowledge and viewpoints is helping me along the way. Like a game of snakes and ladders - Im trying to lose the dice.
Thank you
Dave 🤠
You're doing great!
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2018
Posts: 212
Theres The Plan Scott
Im not used to a never ending road - at least thats what it would appear to be. I cant grasp the final outcome - the trophy. Obviously in this final chapter that would be eternal sobriety - and the road is never ending. I think I cant wait for the easy bit. It cant be a battle forever. Ive read that you can enjoy being free of alcohol - its been with me for so long - but this has been my longest sniff at success without being in group etc. Im ready and not ready - but Im sure enjoying the benefits - eyes , skin, alertness, being kinder to others , cashflow - you get me - and Im getting me together.
Fighting my friend.
Regards
Dave 🤠
Fighting my friend.
Regards
Dave 🤠
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Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Bethlehem, PA
Posts: 230
To me it is if your mind is changed and you are not sober due to the voluntary use of alcohol and/or illegal drugs after a significant amount of clean time. The amount of clean time I guess varies but in my opinion to be considered a real relapse at least a week clean although I'm sure others will disagree with me.
It is important to remember relapses are extremely dangerous because as many people here have said when we have clean time our addiction goes on steroids and is waiting to come back 10x as strong as before.
Some people relapse and go right back to being clean and never drink/use again or have several years clean before they relapse again. Others relapse get a few weeks clean then relapse again, repeat, until something really bad happens. There are others who relapse, never get clean again and eventually die or die the night of their relapse. There are so many different scenarios it is almost impossible to say what can/will happen.
Overall a relapse should be avoided at all costs but if it does happen it's important to get right back to trying to get clean so you fall right back into the hell of addiction. So it is not a be-all end-all but it's certainly very serious even a minor one.
It is important to remember relapses are extremely dangerous because as many people here have said when we have clean time our addiction goes on steroids and is waiting to come back 10x as strong as before.
Some people relapse and go right back to being clean and never drink/use again or have several years clean before they relapse again. Others relapse get a few weeks clean then relapse again, repeat, until something really bad happens. There are others who relapse, never get clean again and eventually die or die the night of their relapse. There are so many different scenarios it is almost impossible to say what can/will happen.
Overall a relapse should be avoided at all costs but if it does happen it's important to get right back to trying to get clean so you fall right back into the hell of addiction. So it is not a be-all end-all but it's certainly very serious even a minor one.
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2018
Posts: 212
Thanks Danger
Im back anyway.
It didnt get me. And no - that doesnt mean that would justify cracking open another next weekend. Im happy that I survived. Its being a risk taker that led me here. Now Im aiming to live risk averse when it comes to drink taking. Ill never be perfect - but Ill be the best I can.
Regards
Dave 🤠
It didnt get me. And no - that doesnt mean that would justify cracking open another next weekend. Im happy that I survived. Its being a risk taker that led me here. Now Im aiming to live risk averse when it comes to drink taking. Ill never be perfect - but Ill be the best I can.
Regards
Dave 🤠
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