I could not beleive it. 7 years of sobriety down the drain. now, I'm back to square 1.

I was able to rebuild an otherwise drug infested life. I'm blessed to have a great wife, beautiful kids a newborn baby boy, and awesome friends. all I had to do was to stay clean. sadly though, I let my guard down and bam! I fell down hard.

Im happy to find an online support group like this. hopefully this will help me begin the long journey to recovery.

This disease wants you dead!

   You haven't lost the work you have done for recovery-and all any of us have is today !

  Grab on to your program, HP, sponsor and friends in recovery, so you can work your steps- and get active again... make any amends needed-then smile- you have the gift of coming back into the rooms- some never get that chance !  Nia

As long as your breathing, there's still HOPE! Keep hope alive! Good luck to you, and keep us posted!
--Angie Fallowfield (crow73)

Being back at square one is far better than being taken out of the game. None of it is wasted. Take what you know (including the one that got through your guard) and use it like you learned 7 years ago. The road will be shorter...
Take care,
Dennis

Keep coming...we need each other on this journy!

Be proud of those seven years!!! Now get back on the horse (perhaps not the best analogy).
 

Greetings,
  All I can say is thanks for being honest and seeking support!

  AND since I have a certain penchant of negativity for the NA program being not more helpful on this subject of relapse, I can say also to BE KIND TO YOURSELF. Just as the first person said in this thread, you have not lost that time at all! in fact your ability to be clean will now be stronger than ever before. It just seems to happen this way. 7-years was a good long stretch, and perfection is not all it's cracked up to be. So Be kind to yourself.

  I honestly believe that this subject of kindness would be so well suited to the NA program since many of us have been anything but kind to ourselves via our using. Also, often relapses are a sign of difficult times in the reality of our lives............and since you said a new born baby, well that is some trigger right there for you. OK OK, off my soap box.

  Just know this, you are not alone, and that, the program and all of we are here to support you, love you, and welcome you back "newcomer" or not. One day at a time, and do your best to not think you have lost anything, but that you have gained everything!

  Love and peace to you brother. Enjoy and take good care of yourself and your family. As you yourself said, you are a lucky man to have a partner, and family that understands.

Stonecarver5

Im SO glad you're getting back up and trying again!! :)
There's nothing better than that!!
"If at first you don't succeed, try, try again"!!
Im here for you whenever you may need support!
Here,
its not about how many years, days, or hours you have under your belt,
its about trying and doing your best to get past your addiction, beating your addiction, learning from your mistakes, and moving on with the life God blessed you with!!
I hope everything goes well,
and like I said before,
Im always here!!

-Shay

Dear Wanttobesober
Try after 13 years. I am so disappointed in myself because I too let my guard down.. I too am happy I found this site. On the rode to recovery, again......God bless

Try 13 years and I too let my guard down. I feel so ashamed of myself but my desire to re establish my sobriety to drugs is heavy. I've started my own group and its for women only at this point, women who feel they have noone to talk to and are suffering in silence. The group for anyone who'd like to release this demon and come together is called A Time To Change and I'm ready to get my life back in order with the help of other women who are going through the same thing.