I tried many times to quit drinking. All of those attempts ended with me drinking again. Why? Because in my mind I was giving something up and that sense of loss always gnawed at me. I hated the feeling that I was losing something I held dear (however foolishly) for many years.
True success came when I reframed the issue in my head. Instead of giving up drinking I decided to give myself a better life. From this perspective I was gaining something, not losing something. I found this to be helpful in keeping a positive mental outlook.
Did I have to forfeit drinking in order to have a better life? Of course I did. Just like a lotto winner forfeited the price he paid for his ticket. The loss is inconsequential compared to the gain.
Sorry for baiting you with the subject line.
