I've had to learn this the hard way. After 2 brief relapses in the past 4 years, I need to be reminded that I'm an alcoholic... daily. Regular meetings are the best way for me to do that. Reading the big book, talking to my sponsor, and prayer are also helpful. If I don't do these things, I'm reminded of my disease by a relapse. And that's a much worse way to do it. No matter what... It all comes back to the first step. It has to be concrete for me.