After being clean for three months, I recently relapsed. Did I have a reason too,no! Am I gonna beat myself up for it, no! Am i gonna let it hold me back,no! Am i gonna keep going back to the same lifestyle that i do not want to live, I'm done! I don't want to say never,but, i will say I want to completely stop doing this drug. It's taking a toll on my life and I can no longer afford anymore mistakes. I got a new job, just started an Outpatient rehab program recently,and I'm mentally doing alittle better ,so why did I slip up and relapse? Boredom at least could be my reason. Now, i have to create new coping skills to use when I feel bored or lonely. I'm disappointed at myself more so than mad. Any tips?
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Sounds like a great approach. Keep at it
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Get back on that horse
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Boredom is one of my major triggers, too. The deeper into winter we get, the more anxious I get. Especially if I get laid off (which is common in my career, especially in the winter,) then I’m feeling less-than and useless on top of the boredom.
The best defense I can think of is a strong social network, made up of sober friends from AA and NA rooms. We can’t sit around and wait for the feeling of boredom to just go away, we gotta identify it as an issue and work to keep it at bay. The rooms are filled with people that are more than happy to help. I got out of my comfort zone, and now gratefully have a host of people I consider close friends who are all sober.
I’ll end here before I ramble too much, I hope this helped in some way! Stay strong, I can relate to your struggle! You’re not alone!
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What Timothy said..
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The reason that you slipped is very simple. You believed the big lie; That this time, having a drink or taking a drug will be OK. But it never is, is it?
We have to learn to play the scene forward. What happens if you relapse? You might feel some relief for awhile but sooner or later you will be right back where you started, carrying around more shame like you're doing now and having to start all over again, knowing that you accomplished absolutely nothing.
It's called "believing the lie."
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Glad to hear the relapse stopped and you are back on track!! My tip, out of things that I've personally experienced in my own journey, is you got to work your mind. Boredom was a huge trigger for me too, but I also found that I could stay extremely busy with life, working out, cleaning, work, fatherood, social events, meetings, etc..but when I slowed down, the thought and want to drink was still there. It doesn't matter how busy you are, you'll need down time at some point, and downtime is also a healthy part of recovery, so if you don't change your thought process, like you said, your coping skills, then thoughts can reappear quickly. I've also learned (developed) that thoughts and writings are just thoughts and writings. Your post lists things that you aren't going to do, or how you are going to proceed, but they are just words right now.
Don't tell yourself, or tell others, your plans on what you are going to do,. Show yourself with action by getting it done, then share your accomplishments as you see fit.
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Love your attitude. Your profile says you're in Boynton Beach. I was at RECO Recovery in Del Ray this past summer and loved it!
Keep going. Sounds like your mindset is there. Stay there🫠
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That a tough one. For me busy is good. Getting a new job where I will be busier and can’t wait.
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What helped me most was going to 90 meetings in 90 days and being told how important it is to do the do’s.
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I’m with Tony. 90 in 90 is a good suggestion.
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Just do what you know you need to do
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I'm with Tony and Matt.
Go to 90 meetings in 90 days And at that time if you don't feel that you are one of us, we will refund your misery.
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i relapsed after just under three months too. be careful don’t let it turn into more because i ended up going on a month long run
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Do not be disappointed just learn from this. You are only going to know what NOT to do when you get certain triggers or urges. You will find yourself tho, and the key is to not quit on yourself when you relapse after you had a good run. Don’t let that stop you! Its just sharpening you up for a better mind set. There’s always triggers that come out of nowhere but eventually you will catch on to the patterns and you tackle them in your way . I do art therapy it helps me a lot you will not lose if you don’t quit on yourself much blessings to you!
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You got this girl. Don’t be down on yourself. Reach out if you need anything! 
Absolutely true!!
The devil rides and idle horse. Boredom is terrible. Last time I was bored I went on a 2 week bender. Haha. As far as a tip….. ultimately you know where one drink could lead. But we are just human, not machines. Don’t beat yourself up. It’s what you do today and tomorrow that matters.
Alcoholism should not be taken lightly to say the least. Next time it could cost you your life.
I've known a few people who relapsed and never made it back. I say, Do beat yourself up and don't take it lightly Because next time it could be your last!
Men and women drink essentially because they like the effect produced by alcohol. The sensation is so elusive that, while they admit it is injurious, they cannot after a time differentiate the true from the false. To them, their alcoholic life seems the only normal one. They are
restless, irritable and discontented
unless they can again experience the sense of ease and comfort which comes at once by taking a few drinks—drinks which they see others taking with impunity. After they have succumbed to the desire again, as so many do, and the
phenomenon of craving
develops, they pass through the well-known stages of a spree, emerging remorseful, with a firm resolution not to drink again. This is repeated over and over, and unless this person can experience an
entire psychic change
there is very little hope of his or her recovery.”