I was sober 4 years and relapsed on New Years Eve. I feel horrible about it and I know why it happened.?

I removed alcohol from my body for 4 years, but did not remove the "lifestyle". I am surrounded by people who drink. Some are normal drinkers, some drink alcoholically. I was a social drinker in the early stages of alcoholism. I only worked AA for the first 6 months. I remained sober for 4 years out of fear of alcohol and because I liked myself better sober. I relapsed because of stress and pressure to drink. I also am surrounded by people who constantly tell me I don't have a problem. My husband is a normal drinker, but he still likes to drink, and thinks that I just need to stay away from certain people so that I can drink normally (which is a total joke). His family drinks and my family drinks. All my friends drink, except one but I don't get to see him but rarely. So, bottom line...I never want to relapse again...I am working AA again and know I need a complete lifestyle change. Any additional advice?

first you need to forgive yourself...we are all only human. I have questioned several times whether or not I have a problem as well. it's not a great feeling and the shame you feel the next morning really sucks...not to mention the hangover!
Sounds like you know what is good for you and what you need and that's great. The problem is that your husband will most likely need to change his lifestyle to support yours. If he loves you and you guys are a team...He'll understand and will do whatever necessary.
Good Luck!

try again. we all fail. we are human. next time wil be great ok?

The only real solution would be to get new friends who don't drink much. If all of your friends drinks, it is most likely you will too. I can understand where you are coming from, because I smoke weed but I really want to stop because it's taking away my time and can harm my future but the only problem is all of my friends smoke, so I usually just smoke too.

like they say in AA one day at a time ..at least you came back ..just work the program .we all make mistakes .yet you came back ..next time call you re sponsor.......go to the meetings .and share

It's just like he said, Everyone makes mistakes. Don't beat yourself up.
You're quite sure you like yourself a sober person, search everyone who pressures you or reassures you you don't have a problem, ask them for they're help, not to pressure you during social events. Individually most of them will understand.

You've been sober for 4 years. I don't know you but with that said, you've got enough will to stay 4 more and more if you commit yourself to it.
You sound as a person who is in control.
It was a mistake, one you do not want to make again.
Leave it like that and go on with your life.

I'd really suggest you to talk with the onces that influence you the most to respect your wish not to ingest alcohol.
It is a drug and like every drug they are addictive and tricky to handle. If you know you don't want to handle it, don't.
It should be enough for them. If they can't get your point, you should reconsider why they influence you in the first place.

I'm proud of you for taking good care of yourself with alcohol.
Everyone makes mistakes. Or you could see it from another optic, you tried again, and you did not approve of it.
Now you know once again, you don't want it.

*hugs* Stay strong.

You seem to be on the right track...there will always be people drinking and alcohol available so you just have to be strong and know you cannot drink normally like most people can. It is that old saying "one drink is too many and 10 is not enough". People who don't have a problem controlling their drinking have no idea how hard it is to stay away from it...they assume if you don't drink every day you don't have a problem....not true (as you well know). Since your friends and family all drink it will be difficult to stay away from people drinking but since you seem to have the resolve to remain sober just focus on that and remember how you felt when you had this relapse. All the best...I know it is hard but if you were sober for 4 years one relapse is not the end of the world...just get back on the wagon and move forward and don't beat yourself up for one slip.