I most definitely talk to myself when it comes to my sobriety...If the ugly voice creeps in...I remind my self that yes....I am an alcoholic...the first sip would lead to months of my life lost...feeling like I am dying constantly is not worth 5 minutes of self indulgence. As Rider and Dee stated...basically I play it forward...what would happen if I stopped at the store?...I have years and years of historical data that prove that no...I can not drink alcohol. it is a slippery slope.
As for a single phrase...I love being alive and drinking is not living...
Seems to work for me