One thing I did to start building up my poor self-esteem, was to start being good to myself and keeping the promises I made to myself. The longer I stayed sober and the more work I did to improve my life the better I began to feel about being me. This was in spite of how I felt about myself at first; I just did it anyway.
I eventually got my self-respect back.
If I stayed sober for any reason other than for me, I would be at the mercy of outside circumstances, and there would always be the chance that I'd have an excuse to drink again.
Oh, and a big welcome to SR! This is a good place where you can get support.
