How to Handle Relapse While Attending an AA Meeting in New York?

Relapse is a common phenomenon among recovering addicts. In spite of attending meetings of AA, people may relapse. AA meetings are not for the weak-hearted. It takes courage to say goodbye to your favorite drink. And it’s not just about will power. Your body has become adapted to alcohol, so you must go through all those horrible symptoms of withdrawal, tackle your emotions, and then emerge sober and clean after all the “drama.” 

After all this, when you relapse you feel like a failure. That’s why it is important to share your relapse story in the meeting. You are not alone. Relapse is common in the journey of sobriety. Sharing your relapse incident helps you gain moral support and useful tips on how to be sober again. 

“It (relapse) feels good in the beginning, but once you begin to attend meetings, drinking is never the same,” says one of the addicts who relapsed and, finally, found the sober side of her through continued attendance in local AA meetings. Shame, disappointment, and the feeling of failure envelope you when you start drinking again. 

Combining detox and meetings

Experts advise hardcore alcoholics to undergo detox along with attending meetings. Both work together and give you a strong support system to make a phenomenal change in your life. 

“Most of the alcoholics have emotional problems,” says a therapist at the AA meeting in New York, “and many people with emotional problems become alcoholics.” 

So, it is imperative to address emotions when you decide to quit drinking. Otherwise, it may become difficult to embrace long-term sobriety. Whenever you face emotional turmoil, you are highly likely to resort to drinking. 

What to do when you relapse

You must inform your sponsor about your relapse honestly. You may feel ashamed or sad about your relapse and may want to keep it to yourselves, but this won’t help. Your feelings may sooner or later swirl you down into depression. This can hamper your progress in meetings. In fact, it is useless to attend meetings unless you practice sobriety. 

You may also want to use tools like Sobriety Calculator to see the number of days you stayed sober. This can encourage you to try again and with more determination. 

NIDA’s statement about relapse

This is what National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) has to say about relapse:

“Unfortunately, when relapse occurs, many deem treatment a failure. This is not the case: Successful treatment for addiction typically requires continual evaluation and modification as appropriate, similar to the approach taken for other chronic diseases.” 

Crux

Alcoholics Anonymous meetings are non-judgmental. Everybody here is sailing under the same boat. You need not feel shy in expressing your relapse. However, if you don’t want to share, you can confide in your sponsor or a close friend; but the point is: do not keep it to yourselves. 

Take care of yourselves and make a conscious effort not to drink again. Continue attending the meetings and your therapy sessions. Give yourselves another chance.