I know success is not linear. But this just sucks. Work has been so hard lately that I slipped back into the “I deserve this” state of mind. I feel awful and am simply ashamed of myself. Help me please.
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I know it’s easier said then done, but it’s not helpful to beat yourself up. Just get back on track and keep moving forward.
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Don't trip, get up, dust yourself off, figure out what you did wrong, and go harder this time. Do you have a sponsor?
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I’m just needing an outlet. And right now I don’t have one.
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No. I tried all summer long and couldn’t find one.
Half the battle is drinking than feeling guilty about drinking and than sometimes, drinking because you feel guilty or thinking because you drank once you might as well give up. Relapses happen. The important think is to practice self-compassion and not beating yourself up. Guilt never helps recovery.
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Do you have women's meetings in your area?
Call your home office and ask for a 12 Step call, that you're looking for a sponsor. You can do this. You need an in person support system. It helps so much.
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UNFORTUNATELY, relapses happen. I hate when people say "relapse is part of recovery". It's almost like saying, "don't worry, nobody gets it the first time around". Just semantics...
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Just see if you can put it off for 10 minutes. Or workout, journal, have a jam session. It really is the little things.
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I’m just hating that I knew better. And the worst part was I sat there miserable. It wasn’t fun and I wasn’t happy.
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I understand. Don't trip on it. Move forward.
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I agree with the sentiment, but I don't mind when people say "nobody gets it the first time around." It decreases the pressure and feelings of self loathing and shame. Yes you relapsed, but it's not the end of the world, it's not the end of your journey. Its a process. I always struggle with shame and being hard on myself and that never helps. I've drank just to reduce those feelings. I didnt find saying "I'm never going to drink again to be helpful." Rather, I say, "I'm not going to drink today" and then I say that everyday
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The truth is we all know better. It's an unfortunate condition of human nature to do things when we know better. I reached a point where drinking was no longer fun and that's when I started finding it easier to quit. You're there so it'll make it easier in the future. See if you can schedule meetings or classes when you usually drank. I work at 4am now and that made it so I couldn't drink anymore. You'll find activities and routines that work for you. You got this!
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Don’t beat yourself up, each day is another chance so focus on the new day when you wake up.
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Feel your feelings then try to plan your next move. Minutes, hours, days. It’s ok to feel. Just don’t unpack and stay there. I have a bad habit of that and end up beating myself up for far too long. Hang in there.
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Awesome advice, I’m applying your advice to me. Thanks 
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You drank last night and are telling on yourself today? Thats pretty darn good. I'd be out for 3 weeks.
.land in the hospital or jail with no clue what happened...
I needed every drop i ever drank to admit i was powerless. Id suggest revisiting the chapter - More about Alcoholism.
Be safe. You never have to drink again, if you choose it.
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The courage to admit it is so powerful. We live in a world where relapse is so easily accessible. Be gentle with yourself. Slip ups happen, but now you have a choice of what happens next. I’m here if you need to talk. You are stronger than you know
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Get back on the horse!
A sponsor leads you through the steps. They help you do the work. It’s not really even a partnership. There’s no perfect sponsor in the beginning. If you see someone who works a good program and has a year sober, ask her.
If you’re not ready for a commitment ask someone to be a temporary sponsor and work on step 1.
You can do this.
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