I made to a year sober in October unfortunately there was a incident that happened to me that triggered my past traumas, I have been in a dark place mentally and couldnt cope and had a slip, & now im struggling to see the point in trying to quit again! Ive reached out to my bestie and she has been an amazing help but i dont want to burden her either, Can anyone please give me advice on how to come back from a slip? What was your motivation? Any and all ideas would help im stumped! Thanks all
21 Likes
Coming from someone that has mental illnesses including PTSD and I've had many slip ups over the years. For me personally,it was life or death so after my long slip up,I found myself and for over 6 to 7 year's off the hard drugs and over 38 month's sober from alcohol so what motivates me is the future I want and I'm willing to do whatever it takes to NOT use and drink
5 Likes
First of all. Congratulations on one year of sobriety that is an amazing feat and you need to pat yourself on the back for that. One take away you should have is that we are human beings and we make mistakes. You’re doing the right thing by opening up to a community that understands right off the bat. Brush yourself off and take it one day at a time. Try to think of things to distract yourself if you get in that situation again. Better yet, call someone, talk to someone. Dealing with past traumas when they are triggered is extremely difficult. Just know that there is a community that understands that it’s here to support .
Cassie, I had to dig deep and get real clear on my truth. My truth is that I never want to be a slave to my addiction. I give my power away as soon as I use drugs or alcohol. Before I use, I have the power to use the tools of my program. Calling my sponsor or sober friends, telling on myself, going to meetings, service in the sober community, step work etc. The truth is that need to practice these things even when I’m ok.
My addiction is cunning, baffling and powerful. I shouldn’t underestimate it. I shouldn’t battle it alone.
It’s like brushing my teeth, I need to brush and floss constantly or I get rotten teeth, pain and stench. 
I’m here if you want to talk
2 Likes
Don't discount your clean time. You're letting the slip up overshadow all that winning. Stay prayed up and take care of yourself and you can do it again. You're worth it!
2 Likes
Never forget that You are a winner
Just Breathe
Focus on the Now.
Not the past .
One second
One minute
One hour
One Day at a time
1 Like
never give up on yourself or your dreams my motivation was my family all the people that looked up to me and how tired I was with the life I was living. You have to take it not one day at a time you have to take it one second at a time I have bad past trauma in my life too, and I know it’s hard, but you have to forgive those people that has hurt you not for them, but for yourself it will help you let go of that trauma
Just get to meetings, it's a insidious dis-ease and you'll get past the guilt.
You can do this
We lose sight of our progress when we relapse. Focus on picking up where you left off.
1 Like
Meetings meeting’s meetings and be in constant communication with your sponsor and or your sober friends
Not a big deal if you slipped up, just reset your sobriety counter and make a new goal and start again. I have 22 hospital level detox stays. I'm challenging myself this time to never be back for number 23.
Cassie,
This is Blake. Thank you for sharing and being transparent. In doing and being so you’ve put yourself back on the path to sobriety. In fact, this very post you’ve made is in itself an act of sobriety.
Proud of you,
Blake
First be very proud of the year behind you! Most everyone slips at one point or another, it in no way means you’re a bad person. I have to believe that in the last year you could feel the good effects on your heart and mind. So just think of it as slipping off the path, perfect time to step back on the path. I think if you weigh sobriety vs your addiction, you’ll see to get back on the healthy path! Good luck!🫶🏻:v:
I prayed to God and started focusing on conditioning my mind set I tried the weaning off approach that made it worst so I stopped cold turkey. Everyday I start my day I prayed for guidance and to help me stop and here I am. I believe in you you can do this....
It’s completely understandable that slipping after reaching a year in recovery feels devastating.
Many people describe it as a mix of shame, disappointment, and fear that everything they built has somehow vanished.
But that’s not what’s happening. A lapse doesn’t erase the progress you made; it simply highlights that something in your environment, stress level, or emotional landscape overwhelmed your coping skills in that moment. It’s information, not a verdict.
Trying again has real purpose because recovery isn’t a straight line, it’s a process of learning, adapting, and strengthening your ability to respond to life without relying on old patterns.
The year you had still shaped your brain, your habits, your self-awareness, and your resilience. Those changes don’t disappear because of one moment.
They’re still part of you and they’re what make coming back into recovery possible right now
Acknowledging the truth of what happened without judgment is VITAL.
Be gentle with yourself. If someone you cared about came to you with the same story, you wouldn’t tell them they failed. You’d remind them they’re human, that recovery is hard, and that coming back after a setback is something to be proud of.
You deserve that same compassion. You haven’t lost your year. You’re building on it, and this moment can become a turning point that ultimately strengthens your recovery, not weakens it.
3 Likes
Be strong and reach out to us!
I understand how you feel. Don't let one mistake define you and become your reality! We can't change the past however good decisions now will lead to a better future. I suggest making it a priority to surround yourself with non toxic people! Go to meetings and most importantly Love yourself!
Well said!
YOU are the point, that’s why you keep going. Trust me everything gets better. I’ve had countless “slips”… you just have to keep going. I had 7 years clean and my Dad died four years ago. He was my best friend and I relapsed. Landed back in prison, it was horrible. But, I have 349 days today again. Relapse is a part of recovery. Your life could be beyond what you could ever imagine. Keep at it and great things will come your way. I believe in you!!