IABU - I’ve just had a glass of wine

[Hiphopopotamus]

And I’m a recovering alcoholic. 5 months sober. All gone now like I’d never bothered. So here I am, back to square one

No, of course it isn't all gone.

This is life, real life. There will always be challenges and always be times when you think 'ah, bad decision'.

What you have been doing this last 5 months is strengthening your experiences of the 'better you' - the 'better life' - getting a glimpse of where you want to be, and enjoying it.

To the point where, hopefully like this evening, you will have enough of the feeling of that 'good life' in the forefront of your mind to make you strong enough to pour it down the sink, go for a walk... or post on here. And to turn again to your better, nicer, happier life!

You're doing it right now.

Life isn't linear.

You are living real life, not a play.

Well done on your five months, and well done on posting here as your reaction to that bump in the road.

Contact your sponsor

Go to a meeting. Now.

Be gentle on yourself, it's the abuse you give yourself that will make it harder to start again - you CAN start again!

All gone now like I’d never bothered

NO. NOT TRUE.

This is catastrophic thinking.

One little slip up isn’t a disaster.

5 months sober is an achievement in itself. Your reaction is also something to be proud of, you reached out after one glass.

One day at a time, and tomorrow is a new day.

Call your sponsor, and try and get someone to take you to a meeting - the quicker you can get back on track, the easier it will be. I would also recommend reddit stopdrinking site - really helpful xx

You aren't at square one. Your body (and particularly your liver) have had 5 months to heal - and that's due to the amazing willpower you've shown you have.
We're human. Sometimes we falter, but consider today a blip. Pour it away and start fresh again right now.

No, you are back to square one IF you go back to where you started from AND ONLY IF.

It is one drink. Throw the rest. Now.

Call your sponsor ASAP.

Crikey

Where is the kid(s) whilst this is happening?

Nah it’s one glass

Pour the bottle away and start again

Now it’s not that easy I know but smokers sometimes have one fag , dieters have a cake

It’s way more complex with your issue but get back on the Wagon and don’t let this be an excuse

How are you doing OP?

Do you have a sponsor? Call them. If not call someone else you can trust.

Chuck wine out. Make some tea/coffee. Keep talking to us.

What has happened to make you have a drink? You can beat this, it's not back to square one, just a set back. Please come back and let us help.

I haven’t had another one. I was in a restaurant by myself and ordered a glass. But I’m on my way home and I’ve bought a bottle. Thinking I might as well as I’ve broken my sobriety anyway.

And no need to worry about the kids - I don’t have any

A glass of wine is only a glass. Pour the bottle away and prove to yourself how strong you are.

Get rid of the bottle.

If a friend of yours quit smoking and a year later had one cigarette, would you tell them they may as well buy a packet and start smoking again?
I think you'd talk them out of it.

Don’t use your one glass as an excuse. Chuck that bottle away, or take it to a friend and tell them to have it. You haven’t failed yet.

Thinking I might as well as I’ve broken my sobriety anyway.

You know that's just a shitty excuse though.

I’ve broken my sobriety anyway

OK technically yes you have, but with one glass which is a bit different to one bottle.

Stop now and think of it as you've shown amazing strength to stop after a blip of one glass.

Don’t drink the bottle- start your sobriety again now. Do you have a sponsor to call?

Livingsymbol that's really fucking stupid advice. Op please don't listen to them.

1 glass is a blip, a bottle would be disastrous for your recovery. Chuck the bottle, eat some food and have an early night.

Ok you broke it but with one glass you have control ditch the bottle and go and see someone in RL your sponsor perhaps or a friend? You can do this you have done so well so far you do not need the bottle. We are all here OP talk to us x

You had one nice glass of wine with dinner. It's a perfectly normal, non-alcohol dependent thing to enjoy doing on summer's evening.

DON'T now then fuck up the rest of your week by punishing yourself with a nasty booze binge.

You are strong enough to make the choice to call it a day after that one glass.

Give the bottle to a neighbour on the way home. You are not going to drink it.

I’m guessing living symbol is trolling... kindly fuck off with that and go elsewhere

It doesn't generally work like that Livingsymbol

OP you can pull this back now - you can start your day again at anytime!

Call your sponsor or someone in the rooms if you are AA. Reach out to someone that understands where you're at right now. You can do this.

If you're not currently in AA look on the website and get yourself to a meeting tonight if there's one in your area. Don't over think it, just do it. You will find a room of people that absolutely get where you are at right now.