Holiday Relapse

Question

I was 6 months sober but relapsed last night after running into some old friends and hitting a bar with them. They did not know I had quit drinking and I just lost my resolve for a moment and before I knew it I had 6 pints in me and the night was still young. I know I need to get back on the wagon but I am pretty tempted to wait until after New Year’s Eve to do it. I think that since the damage is already done I might as well give myself one last holiday season to party through before quitting for good this time in the new year. I went through a pretty tough detox before I quit drinking last time. Will drinking with friends for like a week or so before I quit again be long enough to give me problems with detox again? I think that only a week of drinking cannot be enough to get my body so dependent again, but I am not sure and I do not wish to go through that detox again. I have already had a few drinks this morning.

Melissa Borlie · Accepted Answer

You've asked a relevant question at this time of year. My answer is going to be tentative because I cannot answer for your body, your attitude about recovery, nor the amount of alcohol you will drink during the time you are "back out". You can probably come back to recovery without detox after a week or so. That said, the more times you go back out and the longer you stay out each time makes it harder and harder to come back to recovery. Make it your New Year's resolution and try to stick with it. I wish you the best during the holiday season!

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