Thank you for the response. It is hard to think about not having that “easy” coping mechanism. I should find a better one. I know that. It’s hard to let go. But this time I BELIEVE that just one DOES indeed hurt. To remember that, I’m going to print that out this week and put it up on the wall. I hope I’ll get it right this time. I’ll definitely stick around here on the app. I’d forgotten what an amazing place this was. Thanks again, friend 
4 Likes
Thank you so much for sharing your experience and for the comforting words. It’s wonderful and helpful to know that there are people who’ve gone through this and have come out the other end, stronger than before.
I just threw away everything. I regretrd doing it as I did it but it had to be done. I’ll restart the app counter and will find daily threads I can post on here. I’ll miss my friends but I guess I’ll have to limit my contact with them to Instagram. Thank you again
2 Likes
Hi @erntedank! It’s good to hear from you and to be here again. I hope you’re well and happy. You really helped me out the last time I did this. Thank you for that. I’m sorry too but I’m really desperately hoping that I can learn from this, despite the evil little voice that wants me to live on the “slippery slope” forever. I’m not sure what I should do differently this time but I followed the advice I got here and followed the links everyone shared- I found an online AA meeting on Skype. I’m waiting for the response. I didn’t do much reading about it much either back then. I’ll do that this time. I found out about something called HALT? That’s another thing. And gratitude. All the strategies I didn’t use last time. No wonder I relapsed, right? Thank you again for everything. You’re awesome 
3 Likes
Investing in resources sounds like a solid plan 
HALT is one of my major tools in life. It helps me to cope with life and ground myself. Back to basics is always a good idea. Read, listen to podcasts, educate yourself about your desease.
3 Likes
I read the posts. Thank you!
3 Likes
5 Likes
Lovely to see you too, thank you 
I’ll definitely skip the party and go for a long walk on that day, then to my favorite cafe, so I won’t feel like I’m missing out. I guess it IS an excuse, you’re right. I’ve started now and I I’ll take it one day, or right now one hour, at a time. I’ll take it more seriously this time. I’ve found that this addiction is more patient than I am and it waits for the perfect time to get to me. I guess I’ll have to stay on guard for a long time. Another mistake is that I took from this community but failed to give back. I should have stayed for other people, newcomers, not because I had anything in the way of advice or experience but I could have encouraged the newcomers at least with an emoji or a kind and encouraging word… I approached this with a lot of selfishness. I hate that. Thank you for being here. I’m just now starting to appreciate what you’re all doing Thank you
6 Likes
I love that you are making your sobriety the priority and doing something fun for yourself to escape the fomo that may come. A walk and cafe sound perfect.
You are absolutely right the the addiction is patient and forever lurking. With the tools and new habits we form it is easier to ward off the urges and keep a healthy guard up
Just by being here and posting your journey is a huge help as others can see that they are not alone. An emoji or way to go or your own experiences — giving back can come in many forms. Just happy to see you back and determined to push forward.
We got your back my friend…let’s do this one hour at a time
2 Likes
Light and love back to you 
Thank you very much I’ll bookmark it for tomorrow when things will get really bad, as a reminder that it worked once, it’ll work again.
2 Likes
Exactly. I found the more I interact with people here, the better it goes with me in these early days. The check in threads are great too. I’m sure you already know 
3 Likes
Thank you for the response those are some hard questions. I’ll write in my journal about them and will try to answer them, some time this week, maybe as distraction. At this moment I’m a bit overwhelmed and my brain in somewhat foggy, or very foggy. Thank you for HALT! It’s an amazing idea and I can’t believe I didn’t know about it. Thank you very much for sharing your experience- it’s very helpful and similar, I mean your before is similar to me now, in coping. I’ve just found an online AA meeting. I’ll be busy enough going through the resources here. I avoided doing it last time. I just wanted it behind me, I wanted to forget it existed. I never will it seems so I’ll meet it this time instead of avoiding the process. Thank you again. For the questions as well
4 Likes
I know OF them, lol, but I never posted there, that I remember. I will now. Wish you the best on this journey and looking forward to seeing both of us make progress 
2 Likes
@Soli welcome back here.
Your progress isn’t lost, it’s in the bank. But for those of us with no off switch (myself included) you can spend that credit in days. There’s no guarantee you can get back form a relapse so everything you do from now on has to be to prevent that. Call your family member and tell them. If they don’t understand, that’s on them, not you.
My father finally drank himself to death a week ago, so I spent days getting smashed out of my mind. Day 3 here… you’re not alone. Never again.
Good luck 
3 Likes
Oh dear friend, this made me laugh louder than I should. Been there, done that, still a work in progress. There is no shortcut and no behind me. It’s today and only today that matters. Good day, difficult day, mediocre day, never mind, it’s just for today we do our best and stay sober. When your best is to survive, great! When your best is rescue the world: same great!
Tomorrow you will care for tomorrow.
2 Likes
Avoiding parties and that sort of thing isn’t a lifelong sentence. I avoided those situations for a little under 2 years (with the exception of 2 weddings). I can go around people partying now and it doesn’t bother me (I just kinda don’t want to be around them lol).
I am still an addict on standby, I always will be. If I have 1 beer, I’m fucked. The good news is that I have zero desire to have that 1 beer… I no longer want to escape. You will get there as well. 
6 Likes
That’s the spirit!! Let’s do this!!! 
🩷:purple_heart:
1 Like
My condolences! I’m so sorry for your loss. It takes so much courage to do what you’re doing! Flowers for you: 
Never again my friend!
Good luck to you too
Thank you for the message and for this very important warning. I appreciate it You’re absolutely right.
1 Like
That’s a beautiful quote. I’ll bookmark it, thank you
1 Like
I hope I’ll get there too one day
Just checking in to remind you to get through the weekend without drinking! How’s it going? Just don’t do it. You’ll feel so good Monday morning.
2 Likes