NEW ORLEANS -- It may have taken five violations, but New Orleans Saints cornerback Dale Carter said he's finally learned his lesson.

"I'd be sitting here lying if I said it was not a battle,'' Carter said. "Life is an everyday battle. I've just got to do the right things. If I do the right things each day, each month, each year, it will get easier.''

Carter was suspended a second time in July. He was reinstated on Monday. He will remain in the league's substance abuse program and must abstain from any use of alcohol.

Carter, who signed a seven-year, $28 million contract with the Saints on March 12, was suspended in April 2000 for 1½ years for violating the NFL's substance-abuse policy.

Under the agreement with the NFL Management Council that allowed his reinstatement that time, Carter agreed to abstain from alcohol and was told a positive test would mean suspension.

Carter said he had two beers prior to a test in July and that led to his suspension.

"I blame myself for it because when they say abstinence, they mean abstinence,'' Carter said. "I had a couple of beers and this was the result.''

Saints coach Jim Haslett said Carter does not have a history of alcohol abuse, however.

"This is only the second alcohol offense,'' Haslett said. "He had three missed test and one was for marijuana not alcohol abuse. So I'd like to clear that up. It's not like it's a long history.''

The support the Saints have given him, including signing his brother Jake Reed and lobbying the NFL on his behalf during the suspension, will keep him from another suspension, Carter said.

"I have people around me now,'' Carter said. "I have my brother, I have my family living around me. Before they weren't physically there in the same city. With the other organizations they were good organizations, but no organization took the time and effort to put in what this organization's done.''

Haslett said he expected Carter to keep the team's support in mind and not have any future problems. Haslett, team owner Tom Benson, general manager Mickey Loomis and Reed all went out on a limb for Carter, Haslett said.

"I think it's important that Dale knows we believe in him,'' Haslett said. "He also knows that we have a lot on the line and he can't screw up again.''

The four-time Pro Bowl selection and 1992 NFL rookie of the year signed with Minnesota in November 2001 and spent the rest of last season with the Vikings.

Carter lined up with the Saints first team at practice on Wednesday and said he planned to start Sunday against the Carolina Panthers.

"I'm not trying to come in and make a mark,'' Carter said. "I'm just trying to come in and help the team do the best it can do.''

Haslett would not go as far as saying Carter would start Sunday, but said Carter arrived in excellent physical and mental condition.

"I worked out, I knew what I had to do,'' Carter said. "There wasn't any reason for me to come back after being out that long and be out of shape.''

Carter, who missed eight games and nine paychecks, filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy on Feb. 15, listing his debts to more than 20 creditors as $4.9 million, his assets as more than $1 million.

The Saints will have to cut a player to activate Carter. Haslett said they would probably make the move on Friday.