Finding Yourself Romanticising about Using/Drinking

Before having a slip or a relapse a huge warning sign is if you find yourself romanticising about drinking again. 

Your thoughts may tell you “Maybe I can moderate”. “I had fun drinking”. “I deserve it”. Or many other fallacies to get you to take that first drink.

Become aware of your thoughts and challenge them. 

“Did I really have fun drinking? There are other less destructive ways I can have fun”.

“I deserve it? No, I deserve true happiness that doesn’t come from a bottle or can.”

By being aware of your thinking and challenging your thoughts you can keep yourself from falling into the alcohol trap.

Putting Yourself in Situations to Make it Easier to Use/Drink

We may put ourselves either consciously or subconsciously into situations that make it convenient or easy to drink. 

One of those situations may be meeting our friends at a bar for dinner.

Another may be going to a gathering we know there will be tons of alcohol and not preparing ahead of time by bringing our own alcohol-free drinks.

Another may be staying home while your significant other and kids go out with the intention to drink when they leave.

If you notice yourself plotting out any of this behavior, it’s time to take a step back and make alternative plans.

Not Keeping up with Sobriety Routine

Often before a relapse, our regular sobriety routine will change. We’ll stop practicing gratitude. Stop reading sober literature. Stop attending meetings. Stop getting out in nature or meditating. Stop journaling.

You can turn this around by getting back in a sobriety routine that works for you. It doesn’t have to be exactly like the one you had but make sure you are doing daily work to keep you focused on sobriety and your sober path.

Acting Recklessly in other Areas of Your Life

Before a relapse, we may discover we are acting recklessly in other areas of our life. Maybe we went back to smoking, dipping, or vaping. Maybe we stopped going for our morning walks. Maybe we find ourselves being dishonest with our spouse or children.

Check yourself and talk to your sponsor or another sober friend- Be accountable. A good sponsor or friend will encourage you to get back on track.

You Always, Always, Always, Have A Choice

Before taking that first drink, ask yourself if you are willing to throw away the time you already put in. Whether it’s one day or 1000 days, do you want to go down the dark and destructive path of alcohol addiction again?

Remind yourself of the reasons you quit. Think about all you’ve gained since stopping drinking and all you have to look forward to.

How will your life be if you do decide to drink again? How will it be if you decide to stay sober?

What or who will you lose if you drink again? Are you willing to risk all that is at stake?

Think about it. It’s not a decision to be taken lightly. This is your life, and one decision can set you back. It’s much easier to stay free from alcohol than to start back at square one.