#138: Starting Over in Sobriety (Without Starting From Zero)

Relapsing can make it feel like everything you worked for just disappeared. The progress, the confidence, the belief that this time was different — all of it can feel gone in an instant.

But starting over doesn’t actually mean starting from zero.

In this episode, I talk about what’s really going on when someone relapses, why it feels so discouraging, and how to move forward without repeating the same cycle again. We look at relapse not as a personal failure, but as information — something that can actually help you rebuild in a smarter, more sustainable way.

If you’ve ever thought, “I thought I was past this,” or “I don’t know how to start again,” this episode is for you. We talk about the emotional side of relapse, how to spot the patterns that lead up to it, and what actually makes the next attempt feel different — not just hopeful, but believable.

You’re not starting over from nothing. You’re starting from experience. And that changes everything.