I have a very young baby and I've relapsed I feel so guilty

[relaspedagain]

My baby is only 7 weeks old and I've had a relapse. I saw all the other mums in my group having a few glasses of wine so I thought I would too.

It turned into a glass on wine Saturday night, to me drinking about 500ml of vodka last night.

I have cleared out the house there is zero alcohol here. My husband as always has been supportive. I don't know why he puts up with it, well he says sober me is worth it.

I went over 9 months without drinking why do I do it! I can never just have one. Why do I convince myself it'll be different.

I have been on antidepressants for PND, I am seeing the GP tomorrow. I'm not sure if I should say anything about this.

Please do say something. It was clearly a problem before you had a baby? 💐 good luck. Do it for your baby.

Read Allen Carr's Stop Drinking Now book. I read it 8 years ago and haven't had a drink since. Life changing. Don't ever want one. You can do this - and go easy on yourself, having a 7 week old is hard. Today is a new day x

Yes it was, sorry I should have put into my OP. I have been on/off sober for 4 years. More sober than not. I went nearly a year before. Then I have these epic fails.

I have had a stint in mental health hospital, which also deals with alcoholism.

I am worried the GP would report me to SS or something

Please actually read the OP before posting- she's said very clearly that her DH knows and is supporting her.

OP, it's just a blip, you can do this. You're not starting from scratch, you've already got 9 sober months in the bag. Keep on it.

he does know. sorry if I was unclear.

He knows and 'just wants me to be better' but I know it's awful for him

Are we not reading the same OP?

@PoliteExpert yes he has left me alone with the baby. I haven't drank today

The op is not drinking today.

I really don't think you're helping.

@PoliteExpert
All my family live at the other side of the country so can't call them and worry them. I only have very casual friendships where I live now. No one I'd call with this. No I wasn't sectioned I went willingly.

Relapse is part of recovery so don't beat yourself up. You've caught it early this time, ever closer to the last drink you'll have 🙂 Engage all your supports and keep going from here, including being honest with the GP. Your baby is fine, nobody is taking a baby away from a good mum that had a few wines and a half bottle of vodka. Especially not one that's actively seeking help and is committed to staying well. You've got this!

Try to ignore that banned poster. Their messages have gone now.

You've done the right thing getting rid of all alcohol from the house.

Some people can simply never drink.

Have you ever tried AA?

Look up local support groups if you don't want to tell family. There are more and more women's groups popping up that you can take your baby along. Theyre fab. Also online support groups, lots of options. Talk, talk, talk!

teenmaw · Today 15:10

Relapse is part of recovery so don't beat yourself up. You've caught it early this time, ever closer to the last drink you'll have 🙂 Engage all your supports and keep going from here, including being honest with the GP. Your baby is fine, nobody is taking a baby away from a good mum that had a few wines and a half bottle of vodka. Especially not one that's actively seeking help and is committed to staying well. You've got this.

This. You have. I’d be willing to bet there are many, many parents who fairly regularly drink similar amounts and don’t even see it as a problem. You have and have taken active, positive steps. As others have said, it was a blip. That your husband is so supportive is fantastic but sounds like you could do with some additional help. If you don’t want to speak with your GP about this after one mistake, there will be information about local support groups on the notice boards at the surgery. Spending time with people who understand may help?

Please type Find an AA meeting into Google and find a meeting near you today.

or if you PM me I can give you details of an online women’s recovery meeting which is 24-7

@teenmaw my family do all know I just don't want to worry them when they are so far away and can't do anything.

We live about 2 miles from the closest shop as well so I gave DH my car key. So won't be getting tempted to buy anything because I'm feeling pretty rough.

@bergamotorange yes I went to AA for a while, I did benefit from it but I also think it held be 'fixed' in the same spot of that makes any sense. I haven't been in about 18 months now.

It's sometimes overwhelming to manage your relationship with alcohol. Another piece of learning about why relapse this time. And as PP said, "talk talk talk".

There are many alternatives to AA if you need other support.

There is also a long running thread on here you can check onto daily for accountability and support. They’re a great bunch who have helped me enormously.

Your GP should be able to put you in touch with a local support service, whether that’s in person or online.

Everyone stumbles sometimes. Don’t beat yourself up over it. Brush yourself down, stand tall, and start again.