The Journey to Sobriety: One Lapse Doesn’t Mean Failure
Being sober for seven months with just one lapse is an achievement that deserves a standing ovation. Too many individuals on a sobriety journey consider a single lapse as a complete failure.
They believe that because they fell into the trap of a single night’s indulgence, they have lost everything they’ve worked for and must reset their sobriety clock back to day one. This mindset, however, is a distortion of the true nature of the recovery process.
It’s important to remember that one lapse does not negate all the progress you’ve made thus far. The journey to sobriety, much like any other journey, is not a straight path, but rather a winding road with occasional bumps and detours.
A lapse, defined as a short momentary gap in one’s sobriety journey, is not an indication of failure but a test of one’s commitment to the path. It’s the decision to drink for one night, just to see what it feels like, only to acknowledge that it was not as exhilarating as anticipated.
After reaching the euphoric ‘pink cloud’ stage — a point in early sobriety where you feel so good that you believe you’re good enough to drink again — some people take that drink, only to realize they were not prepared for the aftermath.
The experience after a relapse can be worse than before due to a phenomenon known as ‘withdrawal kindling.’
This is when each subsequent withdrawal, often precipitated by a lapse, becomes increasingly severe. It’s like sliding back down into the rabbit hole, but this time the slide is steeper and faster.
This might seem discouraging, but it’s an integral part of the sobriety journey many people go through.
The beauty of this journey is in its resilience. The fact that you can lapse and then get right back on track speaks volumes about your determination and strength.
The lapse is not a point of termination, but a stepping stone in the journey to recovery. It serves as a reminder of why you chose sobriety in the first place, reaffirming your determination to stay on the course.
Visit Beyond Sober and Sober Not Sober for more resources, support, and inspiration on your journey to sobriety.
Remember, it’s not about the lapses, it’s about the journey. Celebrating seven months of sobriety with one lapse is not a tale of failure, but a testament to resilience, determination, and the will to recover. Keep pressing forward.
K O H D I | Beyond Sober
