This year I would have had 10 years of continuous sobriety.
I shared once at a meeting that I had this list of the most horrible things in life that if they would happen to me, I would possibly give myself a free pass to drink, like the death of a loved one or losing a limb or something. Then my mom passed away and I remind sober because I knew, that even though I had this list, it was really a list of events during which I needed to stay extra vigilant to stay sober.
Divorce was not on that list. I was not ready for it or for the pain that I was about to experience. Divorce meant the end of my “forever after,” the splitting of my family, and coming to terms with the end of what I thought was going to be my life. I also had no clue how difficult the actual divorce process would be, and that my ex was going to fight me on everything and repeatedly take me to court.
I am, however, very proud that I am back, again, and that I continue to fight this mind-boggling disease. I know many of us do not make it back, and that frightens me!
Yet, at the same time, I feel lots of shame and guilt – I do. I can’t help it! I feel like a failure. I feel like I let many people down. I feel like I let myself down too! And no matter how often I remind myself that I am not a failure, I continue to feel it, deep down to the core – it continues to hurt. Relapse has such connotations of failure, I read often about how some say its not part of recovery, you don’t have to relapse, you have to work harder and so on and on. But really, this is one of the instances when until you have gone through a relapse you have no clue what it feels like – and it doesn’t feel good at all.
That is also the reason that I have not written about it, but I think it really is time to do so especially since I wish that people were more supportive to ones who relapsed, instead of being judgmental and offer tons of advice. Welcoming the person back and showing them love and care is way more important because trust me, it is very hard to come back.
I had no intentions to drink, I was not focused on it especially since I was used to being sober and accepted it as a way of life. But the downward spiral happened very fast. There was lots going on with the freshly started divorce process, and many things that had to be done right away – splitting accounts, packing belongings, adjusting to a new schedule, becoming a single mom, and a newly empty bed to sleep in.
I wasn’t sleeping. I wasn’t really eating either. I often would have stomach ache caused by stress. My mind was constantly occupied with what-ifs and I couldn’t focus on anything. I was trying to stay connected but it was hard to keep talking about things over and over and rehashing the pain. Then I started isolating and pretty much fell off the recovery grid.
Eventually, I just broke. I was in so much pain that I just could not deal with it anymore and I could not see any options.
I have gone through many difficult times in my sobriety. I always made it through with lots of recovery support, many meetings and the fellowship, and professional therapy when needed. This time though, I carried the shame of a failed marriage and even though I had people around me, I was not telling anyone what was going on in my marriage, and that I have filed for a divorce. It was a huge burden to carry and ultimately my secret lead me to a drink.
“Addiction recovery is a long process filled with both victories and setbacks.”- Kat McGowan clarifies that, when it comes to addiction recovery, “relapsing is the rule, not the exception.” She goes on to explain that, instead of looking at relapse as a sign that the recovery process has failed and that the person should give up all hope of maintaining sobriety, she should instead look at the experience as a learning opportunity.
So if I can offer any advice whatsoever, I would say: grow a huge support network in recovery, stay diligent with your sobriety every day, and get professional help when needed.
Most importantly, find a group of people who you can connect with and let them know how you are feeling and what you are struggling with, especially in those super hard, unexpected times! It’s what I rely on now – a simple text or call to someone that I keep in the forefront of my life, has made a huge impact on my recovery because after all, we need each other! We cannot do this by ourselves, trust me, I’ve tried.
This is a 4 part personal story. Relapse is part 3.
Part 1 – Divorce click HERE.
Part 2 – Depression click HERE.
Part 4 – Hope click HERE.
Connect with Sober Courage on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Sober Courage 
I’m so sorry to hear what your going through, I went through a divorce when I was quite young, we didn’t have children but it was an emotionally abusive relationship. The fear of failure and my self esteem triggered my alcoholism. Fast forward 20 years and I’ve just realised I am an alcoholic and I need treatment, I’m 1 month sober and I’m going through AA. We alcoholics need to stick together, life can be so hard.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have had several tours in AA with 1, 2 and 2+ years of sobriety. But I went back out to enjoy myself. Feel like a failure? Not really because the glass was partially full (bad analogy in this casel. I had over five years of sobriety and I won’t let the diehsrd ideology of always-and-forever abstention take that away from me. And, I enjoyed my return to drinking but became increasingly addicted. However, I learned more about my recovery through my “sabbaticals” from the tables. I’m back in both spiritual and secular AA because they both work for me.
LikeLike
I have been fighting addiction for a very long time. I’m trying all kinds of things. Your content is inspiring. My brother and I heard this was helping people.
https://bit.ly/2z1wvpi
LikeLiked by 1 person
Get a prescription for Antabuse (Disulfiram)! It has save my life. I don’t think I could have gotten sober with out it!
LikeLike
For the alcoholic who actually wants to improve their life, there is only one way & thats to examine it, admit where we were wrong, admit our old and current grudges we hold against people & learn how to Not live that way- and NONE of that can be done by Taking A Pill. Its done by getting help in person, from other Recovering Alcoholics, who Know How to LIVE Sober IN Recovery.
LikeLike
As I approach sobriety I’m aware of this whole relapse thing and I’m convinced we need to find a new way of looking at recovery. Relapse has such connotations of failure and going backwards that I don’t think it helps at all. You have done brilliantly for 10 years. You’re still doing brilliantly. You just had to find a way through a shitty time.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Local resources are the key to success. In Dayton Ohio https://www.miamivalleyrecovery.com/ is the best!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Solve the problem, find out the way. If can’t do it alone, share your problem with your close persons, many forums are there to give a solution of your problem.
Avoid alcohol, any kind of drugs. Learn some stress management process. Not taking control of the situation and doing nothing will only make your problems worse.
Exercise won’t make your stress disappear, but it will reduce some of the emotional intensity that you’re feeling, clearing your thoughts and letting you deal with your problems more calmly. Do some yoga to heal from your mental stress. There is no particular stress buster. Finding the way of your problem including keep you safe and healthy, is the ultimate way. Intensive Therapy for Patients with Severe Illnesses and Issues. addictionrehabcenters(.)com
LikeLiked by 1 person
I don’t like to experience relapse, and I identify with your story. I too struggled with staying sober and clean. ( relapse after relapse!) Only after the gift of desperation and admitting I didn’t have the answer, I was able to recover one day at a time. The suggestions given to me is a simple set of rules to follow. Don’t pick it up and I won’t get drunk, make meetings, sit up front, pick up the phone, not the drink/drug.
LikeLiked by 1 person
great post i really enjoyed reading it youre a inspiration to us all. i also wanted to share with you this thing http://tiny.cc/howtodrinkless that has really helped me to drink less alcohol hopefully it helps others like it has helped me
LikeLiked by 1 person
I congratulate you for your endurance and desire to get clean and sober! Growth and comfort doesn’t co-exist! Your story will inspire another, possibly many. Much success and blessings to you and peace at all costs…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hey y’all!
My name is Jake Mifsud and I am an addict/alcoholic who is 6 months sober off everything. Thanks to the 12 steps I’ve been able to remain sober off everything. Ex heroin, Fentanyl, coke & alcohol addict.
I made this song about my struggles with drugs. Was hoping y’all could share this to maybe inspire an addict suffering in silence. It’s a beautiful song and deserves recognition!
LikeLike
GODS MORNING, thank you for the inspirational message! I’m sober 4 1/2 years! I take suggestions from my sponsor as much as my spiritual condition allows! I struggle Like anyone else because I’m addicted to any person, place or thing that gives me pleasure! Growth and comfort doesn’t co-exist! So, whenever you’re going through something, don’t use, and you’ll keep growing through something! Stay blessed and stay safe 😷🙏🏿✌🏿❤️
LikeLike
Thank you!
LikeLike
I am continually struggling with relapse. I become sober for 2 or 3 or 4 weeks and nothing improves, so then I drink again. I am honestly at the point where I wonder why I keep trying. Nothing gets better and when I am sober everything just seems harder. I have been struggling for years and although I hate how I feel physically and mentally when I am drinking, my experience has shown that when I am sober, it is not better. I have a wonderful sponsor in AA who has over 34 years of sobriety, but she got it right the first time, and I think she has just run out of ideas for why I keep relapsing. I am now at the point where I would like to go back and ask her if I could move in for a while (which she had offered to do), but I have not communicated with her in a while and all I feel is shame and complete resignation to my fate. I was a very successful person in my professional life, and now I feel like all there is left is nothing. How do I go back?
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am sorry I am just replying. I feel your pain. I’ve been there often. First of all, relapse is part of the process – more people than not relapse several times before they are able to stay sober for extended period of time. Second the medical community says that it takes at leas 90 days for your brain functions to stabilize (this is why maybe AA suggests 90 meetings in 90 days to begin), so things don’t usually get better until at least past the 90 days. Try to make 90 days your new goal and see how that works for you. And lastly, you don’t go back, you keep moving forward. You can’t change the past but you can creat a new better future.
Sending many hugs! Hang in! 😘🙏🤗
LikeLike
I have had several tours in AA with 1, 2 and 2+ years of sobriety. But I went back out to enjoy myself. Feel like a failure? Not really because the glass was partially full (bad analogy in this casel. I had over five years of sobriety and I won’t let the diehsrd ideology of always-and-forever abstention take that away from me. And, I enjoyed my return to drinking but became increasingly addicted. However, I learned more about my recovery through my “sabbaticals” from the tables. I’m back in both spiritual and secular AA because they both work for me.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s a wonderful article with valuable information. I always love to read motivational articles. I will keep visiting your website in future now. Thanks.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Came across your site through your more recent post, but then I stumbled across this and I admire your candour for baring it all and admitting your mistakes. And I’m glad to see that you’re back on the wagon. Wishing you all the best with your journey, and keep inspiring!
LikeLike