Relapsed 1 1/2 years ago after 18 + years of sobriety
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2020
Location: Plymouth Massachusetts
Posts: 5
Relapsed 1 1/2 years ago after 18 + years of sobriety
I have been struggling ever since. Have had a lot of losses in the last several years which were very painful with an enormous amount of stressors. Need new coping skills. I also have lots of guilt and shame along with depression and anxiety. New here to the group, looking forward to chatting and support to help put this demon behind me. Thanks in advance.
Member
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Kerry, Ireland
Posts: 2,703
Hi and welcome to SR. 18 years sober was a mighty impressive length of time. This "thing" never goes away as you unfortunately had to find out. Have you thought of a plan this time around to stop and stayed stopped? I'm sure it must be pretty hard after that time being sober for so long 
Best of luck.
Best of luck.
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2020
Location: Plymouth Massachusetts
Posts: 5
Thank you for your response, it's greatly appreciated. I just recently got back into therapy, only 2 visits so far. I am tired of this active alcoholic life and I am ready to put the plug in the jug. I did it before and I can do it again. Although, it's never easy. I almost lost everything a few times and I am done playing Russian roulette. Right now it's a minute at a time.
Member
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Kerry, Ireland
Posts: 2,703
Originally Posted by UkrainianCat 
Thank you for your response, it's greatly appreciated. I just recently got back into therapy, only 2 visits so far. I am tired of this active alcoholic life and I am ready to put the plug in the jug. I did it before and I can do it again. Although, it's never easy. I almost lost everything a few times and I am done playing Russian roulette. Right now it's a minute at a time.
Therapy is a really good start, stick with it, it may time some time for the benefits to kick in. It did with me anyway. Yes, it is Russian roulette for sure. In the end, there was a bullet in all the chambers when I drank, I couldn't get away with it anymore. Keep posting here too
bona fido dog-lover
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: SF Bay area, CA
Posts: 99,780
Welcome to the family. Your story is similar to mine. I had 20 yrs sober and relapsed. I finally got serious and now have over 10 yrs sober. I hope our support can help you as much as SR has helped me. 
Your story is similar to mine. I had 20 yrs sober and relapsed. I finally got serious and now have over 10 yrs sober. I hope our support can help you as much as SR has helped me. 
Member
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Cheshire. U.K
Posts: 8,003
I'm glad you've joined us UkrainianCat, welcome. 18 years is awesome and all that sober time isn't wasted, you will have learned a lot, you just need to pick those sober tools up again and you can do that. You'll get lots of support and helpful advice here, you're amongst friends. Sending love. xx
Community Greeter
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Upstate New York
Posts: 51,569
It's so good to have you with us, UkranianCat. When I found SR I was still drinking heavily, having relapsed after years of sobriety. It took me 7 yrs. of trying to be a social drinker to finally get back on track. SR helped me find the courage & determination to get sober & stay that way. Not feeling alone in the fight makes all the difference. Welcome!
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2020
Location: Plymouth Massachusetts
Posts: 5
Thank you Hevyn for your encouraging words . I know this won't be easy but, I am up for the fight and support from this site and all the wonderful people who have kind, encouraging and supportive ❤️ 🙏🏻
Member
Join Date: Dec 2019
Posts: 2,426
Hi UC and welcome. I hope you post often so that we can all learn from you. I am newly sober after 30 years of insane drinking and I don't ever want to drink again. But your history seems to be a somewhat common tale here in our world. I appreciate you offering your long term sober experience for the group to learn from. Tell us what kept you sober 18+ years. Did you actively work on your sobriety during that time and if so, what did you do to stay sober? Again, thank you for coming on this site. It helps people like me.
Member
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: East Coast USA
Posts: 120,874
Welcome to SR, Ukrainian.
Your story rips at my heart and scares the daylights out of me. The thought of a relapse sends shivers down my spine.
You can absolutely get back on track and enter lasting and permanent sobriety. We are here to help. So glad you found SR.
Your story rips at my heart and scares the daylights out of me. The thought of a relapse sends shivers down my spine.
You can absolutely get back on track and enter lasting and permanent sobriety. We are here to help. So glad you found SR.
Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Australia
Posts: 11,351
Hi UkranianCat 
You can take a leaf out of our dear friend LEASTS book. 20 years sober, relapsed and now 10 years sober.
such an inspiration LEAST and proves that you can do this.
There is so much support here in SR for you, day and night.
People in very similar situations to yours , so you are not alone.
you're among friends here. So leys get you back to how you were when you were sober. We all know how revolting we feel when we relapse and how GREAT we feel when we are sober.
you can do this, my friend xx
You can take a leaf out of our dear friend LEASTS book. 20 years sober, relapsed and now 10 years sober.
such an inspiration LEAST and proves that you can do this.
There is so much support here in SR for you, day and night.
People in very similar situations to yours , so you are not alone.
you're among friends here. So leys get you back to how you were when you were sober. We all know how revolting we feel when we relapse and how GREAT we feel when we are sober.
you can do this, my friend xx
Member
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 14,934
Welcome to SR!
I had over 5 years sober and relapsed because I became complacent and thought it was ok to have a couple of beers.
I quickly retuned to alcoholic drinking and it took me a year to finally get sober again. I'm now coming up on 10 years of sobriety and I'm determined to never let my guard down again.
I had over 5 years sober and relapsed because I became complacent and thought it was ok to have a couple of beers.
I quickly retuned to alcoholic drinking and it took me a year to finally get sober again. I'm now coming up on 10 years of sobriety and I'm determined to never let my guard down again.
Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 228
Welcome to SR! I guess I'm in a similar situation, only I quit drinking for about six or seven years. Going alcohol-free for 18 was a great run! For whatever reason I actually convinced myself that I could drink responsibly again.......haha......NOT! So, here I am again. I'm approaching six weeks of sobriety and doing pretty well other than experiencing some PAWS stuff.
Member
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: East Coast USA
Posts: 120,874
I have been thinking of you, Ukrainian. How are you?
I wanted to mention that you may benefit from one of SR’s monthly classes. Below is a link to the Class of March, 2020:
https://www.soberrecovery.com/forums...-part-one.html
I wanted to mention that you may benefit from one of SR’s monthly classes. Below is a link to the Class of March, 2020:
https://www.soberrecovery.com/forums...-part-one.html
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