"Staying Sober"
This list has been compiled from contributions received from all over the
world. It is as varied as the people who have
contributed their experience to
share with us all. Please use whatever you think may work for you. If you have
your own
experience you would like to add, please
send it in. Thanks.
I’ve found that staying sober need not be a cross to bare but maybe a hand not to let go of… I love the person I am now and that’s something I never want to let go of. |
Alcohol brought me to my knees,physically,mentally and morally.
When I entered the rooms I had no where else to go. |
The thing that kept me going was keeping it in the day. Don't think of it that you cant drink forever. Say to yourself on a daily basis I'm not going to drink today and you'll be surprised. |
Today my life couldn't be better thanks to the love and support and dedication of AA and working the 12 Steps with my Sponsor. I had to reach my rock bottom before I walked in to AA. |
| I drank for 25 years, when I started it was only when I traveled but at the end the police pulled me from behind the steering wheel ... thank God it was before I killed someone. Today, when I read in the newspaper an article that involved alcohol and driving I thank God how wonderful it was I was arrested before I killed someone ... reading these reminds me of how close I came to hurting someone and helps keep the 1st drink out of my hand. It keeps me sober. |
| I am now seven months sober, with a history of 32 years of drinking more on than off. I no longer want to drink, and the things I am most grateful for in the beginning of my sobriety were making my home a dry house - No Alcohol - and AA friends and meetings. Like others, I also reflect on how my life was before choosing never to drink again. My mind was in constant torture with no way out. Now, I live my life one day at a time, with its ups and downs, on life's terms not my terms. |
| When I want "just one drink", I think about all of the embarrassing and awful things that happened to me because of alcohol. I also remember the last time I indulged myself in "just one drink". One led to another, then another, and I spent most of the night and early morning dry heaving over the toilet (very glamorous, right?). After that awful trip down memory lane, I indulge in a healthy guilty pleasure- a trashy novel, gossip with a friend, a little ice cream, a bubble bath, whatever I know I'll enjoy...Before I know it, the joy I receive from the strength not to drink outweighs any pleasure alcohol could give me. Plus, I've satiated the desire to indulge myself. |
| Whenever I feel that I can do without the AA programme of recovery- I look at my gratitude list- it gets longer every day- of the reasons I have to be grateful. It starts with the fact that I am waking up without a hangover and the pain and despair that was part of my life for many years.It is good to be sober today and grateful for my blessings. I watch out for becoming hungry or thirsty- these can be "triggers" for me. Nearly 2 years on- I have a much better life- with highs and lows. |
| I always had hard candy with me. Because alcohol has sugar in it, the hard candy acted like a substitute. I also made friends in AA, got a sponsor,did service work (made coffee) and became a moderator on a recovery forum. I also read the big book,changed jobs and did anything that would keep me from drinking like coming here and posting. I also know it's a one day at a time thing and stay into today. |
| SAY to yourself over and over "I believe in myself, I am alcohol free, without a drink I am free to be ME!" I got drunk as a reward or way of celebrating a good day as well as when I got bored or low and the hardest thing for me was working out when I would be likely to relapse and how i could avoid this. My system is to write down scenarios when I will be tempted and solutions to each scenario. i.e. I have a bad day and get angry and want to drown my sorrows. I say to my self, “Ok I AM angry, I’m going to slow down, take deep breaths and get a large fizzy fruit drink. I need to be alcohol free so I can work this out!” |
| I drank to releve stress and mental abuse and the next day, with a bad hangover the stress had not gone away it had only doubled. Admit to being a alcoholic then you can face and fight all your problems. The first step is the biggest... |
| We HAVE the choice to live or die with this illness and we have the means to help us, Do meetings, get phone numbers and Don't pick up the first drink when in a bad place talk it thro' and remember what you would be like and would loose if you picked up again, you would probably loose your life. Not worth it, is it? |
10 months since I last drank but I remind myself every day the hurt I caused and the damage I was doing to my health. It's easier every day to cope but I am aware I am only 1 drink away from the past. |
| To avoid the first one I practice acceptance and vigilance. |
| The study, theory and practical application of the 12 steps together with History of AA and how this miracle came about. |
| My solution for staying sober is to do the twelve steps as outlined in the book and the obsession for alcohol will dissapear. |
| Alocohol took away my job, my sanity and almost my life. Still young, I am now sober for over two years and what works for me is, when I feel like a drink I pour out a big glass of Coca Cola with ice and when I drink it the desire for alcohol has gone. Ice cream is another good choice, it stops my desire to drink and it really does work... |
| I have a mental "slide show" I made up of memories of the things I did while drunk that resulted in "incomprehensible demoralization." Whenever my head tells me I'm not really an alcoholic, or when I have an obsession about alcohol, I play the slide show. It takes me right back to where I came from, and puts me right into gratitude. |
Use what has been freely given-12 steps and traditions, Big book,sponsers,other members,go to meetings,Most Importantly Your Higher Power.Build a good foundation and the promises will come true for you One Day At A Time. |
| On arrival time at home, know that I could still get wine, instead I have a bath/shower in that short time my attention is usually redirected. If not then I begin to cook. At all times I know the option for getting drunk is there, so the pressure is released. If I can subvert my thought process for just a second then often the following morning is clear headed. |
| Make iced teas! I have a big problem with finding substitute drinks, as I don't like sweet or fizzy ones. A really good alternative is to make up a strong jug of fruit/herb tea, then keep it in the fridge. You can vary the flavours as often as you like, they're calorie-free and healthy ... |
| Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is a gift thats why its called the present, live for today one day at a time. |
| I was told "don't pick up the first drink and you won't get drunk". Working with other alcoholics helps me remember where I came from. |
| Being grateful for my life today and grateful for everyone and everything in it never to proud to ask for help and never refusing any offered giving myself permission to feel. |
| I have memories of the guilt and remorse the following day, feeling so ill, unable to remember it all. It makes me more determined to remain sober and dignified. Remembering the cost of drinking is too high and never losing contact with A.A. is so important. |
| When I die, I would not like to be remembered as an hardcore alcoholic but as someone who not only had overcome his disease through the intervention of God, but whose whole personality has changed for the better |
| " At the bottom of one glass, there's only the top of another" |
| "The Nights I Can't Remember Are The Nights I'll Never Forget" they keep me sober. |
| Always have something interesting planned for when you get home from work (I like to try a new recipe, plant some new plants, read a new book, look up something fascinating on the internet or go for a bike ride or a long walk) all the time you are absorbed with something like that you can't be drinking. |
| Be Grateful for all God has given you,ever mindful of it, and thankful for all he has taken away.. Grateful for what you have and all you have not... |
| I heard this at one of my early meetings and it has stood me in good stead: I only need one meeting a week so I go to one every day to make sure I get the one that I need |
| Early on I would wake up miserable in the mornings thinking I felt worse than when drinking. I believe this was due to already fluctuating blood sugar levels being particularly low, having not really eaten since last evening. I started having a substantial supper just before going to bed, and the problem disappeared literally overnight. |
| I suffered a stroke at the age of 43 which left me semi paralyzed on one side, all down to hypertension caused by too much alcohol. If only I'd known the serious consequences of boozing......but you cant turn back the clock...Visit a stroke ward of recovering stroke victims and see them struggle to cope with their disability, I'm sure it will put you off drinking. |
| Fear - Forget Everything And Run ..... H.A.L.T. - Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired..... F.A.T.E - Fantastic Adventure Trusting Him |
| Drink cold Aqualibra from a wine glass whenever you feel like a glass of wine. Take a bottle with you if you're invited out to dinner. Make sure they put it in the fridge and don't share it. No-one else will want it anyway, even though it tastes better than champagne. Plus you will be able to drive home. If meeting friends in a pub or restaurant, ask for a St.Clements,(Britvic orange and bitter lemon),or some other long diluted drink. If anyone wants to know why you aren't drinking tell them it's not compulsory. Take up knitting. |
| GOD... Good orderly direction. HOW... Honesty, Open-mindedness and Willingness. |
| One thing that stays with me all of the time is what I heard and still hear at newcomers meetings. One of the oldtimers likes to say this: "You don't ever have to hurt as bad as you are hurting right now, if you don't want to." We all hurt when when walk through the doors of AA, I remember that hurt very well and don't want to feel that way again. |
| When people ask me if I'm 'out tonight' generally at the weekend; I tell them 'no'. They pursue the issue and I simply tell the truth. "I don't drink anymore!" when they ask 'why' I say "because I like myself more sober than I do drunk!" Hearing myself say this keeps me focused and reminded to the reason why I stay sober! SELF RESPECT |
| I'm more tired (although don't sleep well) than before my alcoholism took over. I now write in time in my diary for myself - to rest or just chill. |
| Beware of boredom - but as you progress, remember there are times that you will need to be alone with yourself. Relaxation or meditation helps me. |
| Chief Steward in navy wardroom concocted engineer's special for engineers navy and army who attended mess functions during recovery he printed announcements of availability of engineer's specials to engineers who were overcoming booze problem recipe involve orange juice diluted with 8 oz. tonic water after requesting engineer's specials few times he filled decanter with water and cola cola to fill wine glasses during dinner observing tradition 11 |
| Hot cocoa made with milk, with the addition of brown sugar and honey is an excellent bedtime relaxant. It fills the tummy, supplies the calories you used to get from alcohol. When you wake up, the mucky cup occupies your mind long enough for you to forget about booze. Have you ever had to wash a cocoa cup when it's spent the whole night drying out? |
| Thank your Higher Power daily and ask him/her or it for the guidance and strength to have a sober day. |
| Play the drinking tape to the end. I remember honestly how miserable my life really was in the days before sobriety. Then I do something useful and helpful, pray, go to meetings, read the Big Book |
| I call another alcoholic and ask them how they are doing. That always removes the alcoholic desire. |
| I sit down immediately and compile a gratitude list of at least ten items. A grateful heart cannot abide a drunk body. |
| Check your bank account. However much you have in there, it's more than you would have if you were drinking. |
| If you have one - keep a pic of the way you looked when you were drunk - one look and you won't want a drink |
| My Daily Spiritual Guide Book:- Get up and pray; Get Dressed; Don't Drink; Go to Meetings; Get a Job; Help Someone Else; Pray and Go to Bed. |
| Now you are in the Lifeboat of recovery stay in the centre not on the edge where you are likely to try the water once again. Service in the fellowship will keep you well balanced in the middle of your Lifeboat. |
| I pick up a tin whistle and play from a session tune book. Whilst whistle is in my hands I am not holding a glass. |
| On the (thank you God) rare occasions I have wanted/needed/craved a drink, I wash my hair in the kitchen sink. Takes about 5 minutes, smells good, and gives me a feeling of well-being. Not for nothing, I have very short hair!!!! |
| The longest journey in world is 15 inches, the distance from the brain to the heart |
| Just remember yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, live for today one day at a time. |
| My worst bugbear was buying a bottle of wine, and sitting here on my own bored and lonely, finishing it off (sometimes stumbling out for more before the shop shut). A trick I find very useful is to buy, instead, a big bottle of sparkling spring water, in as nice a bottle as I can afford that day, and mix it half-and-half with a litre of fruit juice. Diluting the juice like this, with fizzy water, cuts out the sweetness and brings it to life. |
| Go to meetings and talk to other alcoholics. |
| The day I took my last drink, I open a diary on my computer and every day since I have record how I felt what I went though the pain and despair to begin with, and later the strength and joy of having AA and a high power in my life.If I feel down I just read it and I can see how far I have come. there is no way I want to go back to the begining. |
| I suffered from terrible hangovers when I was drinking. I like to start the day by checking to see whether I have a hangover or not. Then, when I see that I don't have a hangover, I think about whether I WISH I had a hangover, or whether I WISH I couldn't remember what I did last night. The answer keeps coming back "No, no, no". |
| I found the 'Just For Today Card' very useful. Instead though of just reading it every morning I found , and still do, it more effective to recall the words from memory as part of my morning preparation for the day. I cannot recite the card word for word by any manner of means but the mental effort needed to recall the phrases makes more significant the message it carries for me. |
| Cultivate a Gratitude Attitude |
| Always try and remember why you walked through the doors of AA in the first place. |
| Pick up the phone (and talk to another recovering alkie) instead of picking up a drink... or BEFORE picking up a drink. |
| Get a Sponsor - Talk to your Sponsor. |
| Get a Home Group - be of service in your group - Arrive early, leave Late. |
| Go to Steps Meetings - Work the Steps. |
| Read the Big Book and as much other AA literature as you can get hold of. |
| Offer your hand and phone number to newcomers. |
| Ring the newcomers for a chat. |
| Offer to pick people up and go to a meeting together. |
| Invite people to go for coffee after or before meetings. |
| Don't pick up a drink, one day at a time, one minute at a time, if necessary. |
| Stick to reality don't slip into pretences. See things as they really are. If there's a problem see it as it is otherwise you may soon begin to tell yourself your not really an alcoholic. The rest is history.. |
| Your Higher Power is always with you. Fear....means.....False...Evidence.. Appearing...real... |
| Alcohol has a very high level of sugar, if your craving a drink your body may be craving sugar, try a mars bar and or white lemonade to counter this. It has worked for me... |
| Keep drinking...just don't mix alcohol with the drink. My "poison" of choice was beer. When the urge arose in early sobriety, I popped a can of diet decaffeinated soda. My stomach quickly adjusted, and not long after, that crazy spot in my mind became quiet as well. |
| remember HALTE...hungry, angry, lonely, tired, exercise. Our first defenses against alcohol are to eat right and exercise. Then it becomes easier to keep away from anger, and we soon are also able to rest comfortably in the arms of the dragon. With a healthier body and a better relationship with our Higher Power, we never need be lonely again. |
| I found that "Having to stop" was more difficult, Than "Choosing to stop" |
| I had a time of frustrating anger where I would break a vase each time I felt the urge for a drink was getting to be too much. Now how did that help? Simple: I have a cat and therefore had to clean up the broken glass before I'd be able to leave my home and after I had cleaned up all the small ieces of glass my anger and desire for the booze had left or at least subsided enough for me to call a fellow alcoholic. |
| Stripping down to my under-garments as soon as I got home - as you are well aware, it takes just a few moments for the thought pattern to change and by the time I would be dressed again I had lost the 'need' for a drink. |
| Always have a book and a deck of cards with you. Both are ways to distract for little while, either by reading the book or a quick game of solitaire. |
