Relapse is not an option

[Done-With-It!]

(For Me)

I'm already seeing people relapsing around these parts of the world (internet
world) due to the holiday, or what I've seen said is because of the holiday.

Anyone have any plans for tomorrow? Anyone need to make any plans to make sure they WILL NOT relapse tomorrow?

I've learned if I feel like I'm going to act on my impulses to Stop myself,
Stop whatever I am doing. Try and calm my thoughts. If I can identify what I am doing and ground myself. My therapist taught me to stare at my palm or to visualize a red light or a stop sign and actually say STOP out loud, to stop the thoughts.

Change the things/thoughts in my mind. Do I REALLY want to act on this situation?
What would I tell someone at the site who was posting about this?
or what would I say to a loved one if they were going through this?
Play the record through to the end. Then remind myself that I should treat myself as I would someone else. Don't be a hypocrite.

Above all, take care of myself. Journal, call someone, take care of the feelings, issues that are going on. Communicate to someone, anyone what is going on, what the feelings are. We need to be validated by someone.
Get outside, go for a walk. Whatever it takes.

Relapse does not need to be a part of recovery. Taking care of our self does.
Healing does. Take the steps needed to nurture yourself to ensure that you will not relapse, that you will be the best you, that you can be.
Learning to take care of ourselves does not come easy, it is an on process, but one that we can all achieve if we just take the steps.

We don't always get second chances, we don't always get just this one more time. Make relapse not an option. :worthy:

Have a Happy and Safe 4th :a122:

[Velvet]

Nice thread. :coolsmiley:

[SlvrMag]

I have been a bit worried about this myself. If I decide to drink tomorrow, it may lead to cravings. But I know that my family will be there to make sure I do not ACT on my cravings. I am VERY lucky to have a supportive husband (no, I am not bragging!). But I ask myself, "Self, would a beer or two REALLY be worth fighting off a craving?" "Of course not" myself said! So I am still undecided.

PLEASE HAVE A SAFE and HAPPY 4th of July!!!!!

[Velvet]

You are very lucky to have a supportive family. So many do not. I was sole support for my daughter. Everyone else had written her off..."shes a drug addict, she will never change". I didnt give up hope. She kids with me now. She will be on the phone, planning to go somewhere and I will chime in..."Youre not going anywhere until you do...." Then I hear her say, "Oh, my moms bossin me around again." (Its what I do best! :) )
So enjoy that bossy, caring family. They are gonna help save your life. :hug:

[Little Missy]

I too have a very supportive husband and family. The only problem with that is this disease was stronger then all of them put together. Nobody (not even myself early on) could stop me if I had it in my mind that I was going to drink. Their love, caring, kindness, support, anger, etc. wasn't enough. It was when I started working a program, changing my thoughts, my actions, my beliefs, that I began to have a choice on whether or not to drink.

So today, I choose to enjoy this holiday with my family sober, no matter what anyone else is doing, no matter what happens. Today, thankfully, I have a choice!!

And in my experience, the more holidays I make it through sober, the easier it gets to keep that up!! The thoughts of drinking may be there, it's what I do with those thoughts that matters!!

Have a safe sober holiday ((ALL))

[Velvet]

The only problem with that is this disease was stronger then all of them put together. Nobody (not even myself early on) could stop me if I had it in my mind that I was going to drink. Their love, caring, kindness, support, anger, etc. wasn't enough. It was when I started working a program, changing my thoughts, my actions, my beliefs, that I began to have a choice on whether or not to drink.


This is so true Missy. It is up to the user/addict, to make his or her own good choices while the family support will boost and 'support' those good decisions.

[Velvet]

So enjoy that bossy, caring family. They are gonna help save your life. :hug:



Key word is help. You are the only one that is held accountable for your choices.

[Savinghope]

That's how I live. I am the one responsible for me. I have to make a hundred choices before I get to that one that says "take a sip". No thinking about it, deciding what to drink, getting dressed, calling friends to go out, putting keys in the ignition, starting the car, stopping at the liquor store, buying a pack of smokes that I haven't smoked in two years, pouring a drink while I'm driving to the club because if I don't I will not be able to be around drunks, bad smells and cigerette smoke. So I have to join them and take part. Then after it's all said and done........and hours roll by and I've accomplished nothing but poisoning myself. I drive home drunk. I stink like bar. I eat wierd things just because they are in the fridge. I go to sleep for a few hours and I wake up wishing I never made the choice to go out.
This is why I just don't put the thought into my head. I love feeling alive. Life is beautiful.

[annihilate_me]

A good support system should play a big part in anybody's recovery! Hope everybody had a safe, sober holiday!