Alcoholism Support Group

Alcoholism is the continued consumption of alcoholic beverages, even when it is negatively affecting your health, work, relationships and life. If you think alcohol is causing you to lose control, it's time to seek help. Our group is a safe place to vent, check in, get back up if you fall, and reach sobriety.

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Kevin105
Kevin105

I've read several posts lately where someone has relapsed after a week or so and feeling really down about it.  I get it, been there a few times myself, but please don't give up!  I imagine that about anyone here who has been sober from a few months to many decades had relapsed repeatedly before they got it right.  It's part of the process, the battle of severing the ties to addiction.  


The good news is that it can be done, with effort, understanding and support.  


Effort  You need to have the mindset of being "all-in" in your recovery, willing to make whatever changes are necessary to break your addiction.  If you're not willing to push all your chips to the middle of the table in your commitment, putting sobriety first, you have a very slim chance of success. 


Understanding  This is the fuel of your recovery.  Once you have a greater understanding of your addiction, it's consequences, and the path to a sustained sobriety, inertia is on your side, allowing you to break from the orbit of your urges and navigate to a new life; the one you were meant to live.


Support  Recovery is a difficult process to endure on your own.  Having a group of supporters like AA or Refuge Recovery who know what you're going through, willing to share their own experiences and listen to yours, is priceless.  

Community Leaderbobinmaine
bobinmaine
Kevin, I agree with you 100%! Also, there are all kinds of people willing to help but you can't be afraid to ask.

God Bless
gr8tful2be
gr8tful2be
Uh, I never relapsed even for a day after entering the rooms of AA in '92. I did all my relapsing before AA, like many others before me. I didn't feel bad about it. I just went for long periods of time before wanting to try again.

I had to want to be sober more than I wanted to be drunk.
judgefitness
judgefitness
Well said Kevin x
squirrelnutz
squirrelnutz
I was sober for 2 and half years when I relapsed. They warned me that if you relapse it will be harder to quite. I wish I would have listened because it is hard. I love being sober but fight it every day. My freedom from drinking was wonderful and it is very hard to stop. Working my program is what I failed to do and that’s why I relapsed. Thank you for sharing
Kevin105
Kevin105
Thanks for the comments everyone. Squirrelnutz, I relapsed after almost 11 months sobriety and also found it much harder to get back on track afterwards. Working my recovery program has made all the difference this time around, just as you state. I found out the hard way that there's a big different between abstinence and recovery. Wishing you all continued vigilance, enduring success!
gr8tful2be
gr8tful2be
I have always had the utmost respect for people who relapsed but put on their big girl/boy panties and walked back through the doors of AA. I don't know if I would have the courage to do that. For those in AA, the seemingly magical transformation from a drunk to a sober, free person happens in the Steps. I would recommend anyone to find a sponsor to guide you through them.

Squirrelnutz, after 2 1/2 yrs, I'm betting you've seen and listened to many women share. If you know one who has years of sobriety (doesn't have to be sober for decades) and talks about the steps and seems to possess those qualities you'd like to have, then ask that lady to be your sponsor and away you'll go! I hope you go back soon.:).

Thanks Kevin.

Hugs all, Dianna
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