Don't ever give up trying. When I went back to drinking - repeatedly after really trying to stop - there were times I thought what's the point and had basically resigned myself to the fact that I was an alcoholic and I was going to die that way. I bargained a lot along the way to "just let me get to this stage, let me see my sons or daughter get to this point'" etc etc But his helping me and giving me the courage to keep trying, kept me trying. And I have been sober a minute or two now.

My advice is his, don't ever give up trying. Find yourself a place to talk with others who share your disease, whatever it is, and try to help someone else. It helps you. Every time.

J

It's like building a wall. You keep adding to it and make it stronger. A relapse is like knocking a few bricks loose from it. You still have most of the wall, so just rebuild that part that got knocked down and go from there. Some programs treat it like it's a total loss. I don't buy that. It's all a learning experience. The other line I heard that resonated with me (and I usually hate all those tired cliches) is: don't focus on who you were, but who you want to be! Hang in there and don't give up on yourself.

Not being trite, I know how serious it is. But the only thing worse than a relapse ... is one you didn't even enjoy when doing it.

Don't beat yourself up, remember ... it happens, it is part of the process. As long as it doesn't spiral, you (or whomever) is going to be fine. Just gotta get back on the horse, get back to doing the next right thing, reconnect with your support ASAP, stay honest with everyone, pray (if that's your thing) ... and don't let yesterdays mistake be an excuse to pick up ... today.

Good luck to you, or whomever.

When I found out he was in treatment, it was a wonderful thing. He's been sober for 33 years.

It seems to me there should be a way of treating this so that it is less of a moral problem and more of a physical problem. (I'm not a life sciences person.)

I often relapse in my overeaters program. When that happens, I just get back on and try some more. If it were easy, it would be ...easy............it ain't easy...

I was at a meeting 4 days ago. (for my overeaters program..(OA) I looked around and said in my short comment...(under 20 there, can't say how many)...If it were easy, and everyone was one hundred percent successful, then we would have a thousand people here)...It ain't easy!!!!!!