Again and Again

PHOTO/Caleb Jankola

Are you finding there are issues that continue to come crashing in on the shore of your conscience that may recede for awhile, only to return, causing yet more wreckage?

Again and again, you may find yourself questioning why, oh why, did I do that? Why can’t I just go home like everyone else at a decent time? Why can’t I drink more responsibly, like everyone says I should? 

Or maybe the conversation with yourself goes more like this: I only meant to go out for a little while, but then it was my boss’s birthday and everyone was having a good time, I didn’t want to kill the buzz. Why can’t they understand that? I’ll stay home next weekend and try to do some stuff around the house to make up for it. 

Constantly assuring yourself you’ll behave better next time, you’ll only drink beer, or stop at a couple glasses of wine, or lay off the shooters and don’t touch the coke. Again and again. 

But here you are. Wondering how you can get yourself out of this latest mishap, and survive the onslaught of recriminations from friends, family or the boss, along with the waves of remorse that are crashing in on the shore of your conscience yet again? 

If this is resonating with you, let us help. As recovery coaches, we’ve been there. Right where you are. Let us sit beside you on this rock. We’ll listen without judgment, without recrimination. 

You might need to talk it out for awhile. Let the floodgates open wide. 

Over time, the swells may recede to a gentle lapping, and the way forward may become clearer. We will meet you exactly as you are, but we don’t leave you there. We hold you with high positive regard, with empathy, and support the changes you want to make. It’s your plan, not ours. What would it be like to make even a small positive step towards changing your relationship with alcohol or other substances or behaviours? What would it be like to feel free?