You Relapsed. Now What?

So, there you were, going strong - maybe a few weeks, or a few months into your new found alcohol-free life. Then all of a sudden you hit a bump in the road. Your “friend” twisted your arm one too many times pleading with you to “loosen up and just have one.” Or, maybe you received some bad news and just weren’t sure what to do – that bottle of wine had always been so comforting.

No one really likes to talk about them, but relapses are part of the journey.

Congratulations, you’re human. You’re working on removing an addictive substance from your life, and it’s not easy. If it was easy, everyone would be doing it.

On top of all this, alcohol holds a unique place in our culture. It’s an addictive, poisonous, mind-altering drug that has become a panacea in almost every situation.

You’ve used it to celebrate. To drown your sorrows. You've had a drink because it’s a Friday night. And, also because it’s a Tuesday afternoon. It’s at tailgates, children’s birthday parties, bat/bar mitzvahs, book clubs, business meetings, and your children’s sport tournaments.

It’s like a Swiss Army knife – one substance, so many uses.

And, for some bizarre reason, you have to explain yourself to absolutely everyone (or so it seems) why you’re choosing something better for yourself.

Okay, so you relapsed. Take a deep breath. Shake it off. Banish whatever thoughts are bouncing around that head of yours – guilt, shame, judgement. We are letting all that go. They are not invited to this party.

Now you’re at a pretty big crossroads. Maybe an even bigger crossroads than when you first decided to get rid of alcohol What are you going to do about it? How are you going to move forward?

You have two choices. You can let it derail you completely, or you can pick yourself up, learn something from the situation and move on.

The first thing to ask yourself is how important is exploring your relationship with alcohol. How important is moving into sobriety?

Many of my clients talk about wanting a different kind of life. Of living a more present sort of life. Of being a better partner, mother, daughter, sister, friend. So, if that’s your goal, and alcohol is getting in your way, hold onto that.

Next, ask yourself how long do you want to do this for? Is it a 30-day exploration? 90 days? For the rest of your life?

Then you need to figure out some things to do instead of always turning to a bottle of wine, or your Tito’s and soda, or that craft beer.

Here are some resources where you can start to think of things that can help to replace alcohol in your life Managing Anxiety without Alcohol, 5 Ways to Embrace Discomfort in Sobriety, and Self-Care & Sobriety.

If you're curious about exploring your relationship with alcohol, reach out and book a STRONGER SOBER session, under the WORK WITH ME tab.

I've got you!