Ya, I guess it is ok. You said it here. As long as we are sorry, and not going to do it again, I guess it is pointless to put salt on your open wound. I do not like the word "slip" though. Is it like a boat slip, or fell down? Was it an accident?
3 month after I crawled in to the rooms, I went to New York for my uncle's funeral. I did not like him, nor had an ounce of respect for his life. I went there to prove myself to myself, wife and parents that I could do this. It is all about me, you know. On the forth night, I took the drink, and the drink took me. I missed the plane coming back home. But, I did not slip. All day I thought about why it is ok this time. And I made a clear conscience decision to drink. Calmly. I drank, I did not slip. That is what we do.
Obviously, there is a hole in your program. Why don't you own it? It is only your life on the line, you know. They say it is the program of honesty. How would you do the steps? Sorry about my smart remarks, but I meant it. It was not an accident.
Does it help you to know that this has happened to many, many people in AA, and they were all afraid to talk about it too, but most were glad they did afterward?
Just go back to your group. If you really don't want to say anything, no one is going to make you. Once you've been sober again for a couple of months, maybe you will find the courage to "come clean" and tell everyone (or even just a few friends in your group) what your new sobriety date is. But you don't have to worry about that right now.
What you want to be sure and have NOT happen is avoiding going back to your group because you are afraid to admit your slip, falling out of touch with the program, and have that lead back to starting to drink again.
A slip is a slip, so let's leave it at that. The main thing is that you're okay and no longer in grave danger. Keep your head up high, despite the interruption in your sobriety. There is still a measure of hope in every alcoholic's storyline and the ending hasn't been scripted, just yet. The only way to resolve this situation is to reconnect yourself with the program, and that means AA as well. The choice is up to you, even though I would choose recovery via the AA route -regardless. I hope you remain sober just long enough to enjoy what's coming to you in recovery, because we missed out on those blessings because of our drinking. Keep connected, my friend and never give up on yourself or the recovery platform of your choosing. We won't, neither should you.
~God bless~
-- Edited by Mr_David on Saturday 25th of June 2011 11:39:36 PM
I've always heard that it's our secrets that keep us sick. Not sure that's a secret I personally could live with and stay sober, but it's up to you I guess. Besides, like twelve steps said it's happened to many many people before, so there's no need for shame.
Brian
__________________
Nothing ever truly dies. The universe wastes nothing. Everything is simply, transformed. :confuse:
Many people in the rooms have slipped at on point or another, I have found these are the most understanding people in the world, do u need to tell them? Is up to you. I know for sure these people in the rooms would understand. If it were me,and could easy be, cause i am only one drink away. I would tell em and move on. Wagon
After 5 months of sobriety, I slipped last month. I was at a business dinner where the alcohol was flowing all over the place. I was fine until it was decided during dessert that they would order Cristal champagne. I had never had such a fine champagne and in my mind that was a justification to have a few sips. My intention was not to get drunk, but just to sample it so I could say I that I had had it. I was not going to tell anyone, not my AA group and certainly not my sponsor.
But then I started thinking about it. Sure, if I chose not to tell anyone then it could be my little secret. But I had a problem with that. I'm in AA for ME. It's MY program. I am trying to become a better person, not slip back into the deception I was living. I knew that if I didn't come clean I would suffer. I would always know the truth. And I wasn't OK keeping that secret.
I discussed the incident with my sponsor just before a meeting the next night. She left it up to me whether I wanted to ask for a start over token. So when the time came, I 'fessed up. The room was shocked. Mainly because I'm working the program so hard and have a fantastic support group. I still feel a bit of regret about my new sobriety date, but my mind and body are free of guilt.
Remember to be true to yourself. No one lives inside your mind except yourself. And AA folks are the most understanding, supportive bunch out there. If you choose to admit be prepared for an onslaught of support and discussion about how to do better next time.
Hey there, as has been said on here, you are not alone. You certainly don't need to feel guilt. Let's all of us be very clear in our own minds: we alcoholics have lost the power of choice in drink. We are at certain times without a defense against that first drink.
What we can can choose to do is work the AA 12-step program and it sounds like you'd like to do that. The most rigorously honest we have to be is with ourselves. As for slipping and others, I have never seen anyone shunned for owning up to a slip: on the contrary, I've seen them embraced.
Good to have you back in the saddle. Keep coming back. :)
Yankees, I know it must be gut wrenching when the person to pick up that new white chip is you, but after a year in AA (assuming that is how you stayed sober for the year), you have certainly seen others come back after a relapse right? Did you make fun of them? Did others make fun of them? Did they look down on them? No. So just let yourself receive help and try and focus on the quality of your time rather than the quantity. This is the chance to build an even greater serentity and sobriety than before. It starts today.
__________________
Keep coming back. It works if you work it. So work it. You're worth it!
