Originally Posted by
ScottFromWI 
I actually view it from the exact opposite perspective. Part of what helps keep me sober is by recalling all the pain and suffering I went through to get sober, and also seeing and trying to help others that are struggling.
I see it another way today. Recalling my pain and suffering use to help with my recovery, but that involved a level of fear based psychic choice which became no longer necessary. In other words, AA among other recovery sources made choice possible for me and then choice became unnecessary.
While in recovery, I also didn't compare my recovery with others suffering and / or relapsing as a way to reinforce my recovery. The comment that I've heard at AA meetings and on some boards re: those that relapse "they've done the research for me" was also unnecessary for my recovery. I find that that comment tends to be condescending.