Pureself

Well, things are good. I'm realising that all of my previous attempts at sobriety have not gone to waste. I am realising that unknowingly over the last 7 or so years of going through the relapse/recovery cycle I have built a kind of toolbox of knowledge and experience to navigate my way through alot of aspects of recovery. I am still very much learning but I feel like I have had my final relapse.

I have also started attending online smart meetings... unfortunately, in my area the attendance is very low, just me and 2 others, one being the hoste but I like their philosophy and I seem to be fitting in well. I hope a few other people pop along but we'll see.

I have literally given up nothing at all by not drinking. It is all gain and no loss.

Hope you are all well

TheAten

That’s so true! All gain and no loss. That’s how I feel. Congrats on your journey - I hope this is it for both of us!

Hodd

So true. It’s never wasted. The very first time I quit was “only” for two weeks, but it was terrible for lack of sleep. I literally slept an hour a night for a week. People noticed my appearance had changed and were asking if I was OK. On subsequent occasions when I quit, sleep was affected but not to the extent of that very first time.

People who relapse after a few days or weeks shouldn’t be too disheartened as it helps for the next and hopefully final time.