It really is one day and one moment at the time. It is great to have your support, and my chances of getting through would be much less without it.
My courage here has been badly damaged, but hopefully I have enough to get me through.
Stepping back a little, at this stage, I would have a good understanding of my triggers and normally this allows me to avoid drinking day to day. I would use the analagy of weather and climate. I normally know how to avoid the showeres (drinking) but I live in a wet climate . I need to move to a better climate (foxmans post on spiritual awakening).
If we are an alcoholic, to stay away from booze is a very difficult proposition. We initially muster our willpower and try to conquer this disease, but, we cannot win with just our will power. We have an obsession that overrides all other thoughts and we give in. I am not sure if you have seriously thought of getting a sponsor at the local AA meetings you go to and start working the steps. Because only a spiritual awakening can keep our kind from picking up a drink. Not sure if you had a chance to listen to the Joe and Charlie workshops, if you wish, they are my blog or one of my earlier posts.
It certainly takes a lot of courage to admit a slip, or a side-step as Dave mentioned. It takes even more strength and determination to continue on your journey and not let this event discourage you to the point of giving in.
Stay focused and keep at it one day at a time.
What strategies can you use to help you overcome stressful periods?
I can feel your pain and reach out a caring hand to you. So key to be kind to yourself and support yourself now as you have done so generously with others here. You are so right in considering it a slip in your 97 days. I will be keeping you in my thoughts as you get through the next few days, as you continue to head forward. Hang in there!
While we can all understand how you feel I think you are approaching it from a much better perspective and staying positive about the 97 days. We're always hardest on ourselves. We need to learn to extend the same compassion, understanding, and forgiveness to ourselves as we do for others. Rob, you've done an amazing friggin' job on 97 days. Keep going forward. 97 steps forward and 1 side-step (I don't like to think of it as a step back because you felt you needed to side-step some stress and that's entirely your business) is something to be proud of and leverage, not erase and start over.
Your attitude is great! Do not let any feelings of guilt or disappointment or failure or anxiety cloud your 96 days of sobriety. The fact that you came to this forum to express your experience is in and of itself a very strong and positive character trait. Even if you had slipped after 960 days, I'd be writing the same thing. I, too, have slipped, several times over the past year...we're all human. One day at a time my friend.
They say it is as much a problem learning to deal with soberity as learning to deal with drinking.
I was very stressed over the weekend and yesterday evening I took a shortcut to happy time, I had a drink (losts of drinks).
It was like I had never stopped drinking
This morning I was absolutely and utterly disappointed
Right now I am trying to frame the issue in my own mind as a slip only.
I am not going to start couonting from zero again but will continue counting from day 97 (with one slip).
the next couple of days will be difficult, but it will the best success ever for me if I had a single slip and managed to keep on going. Trying to conquer this is however very humbeling.
again thank you and I would ask you to bear in mind during your own struggels that you are much of the reason for my success. I look forward to continung on and being part of yours.
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