Hope1989

Hey guys,

So in my head is this. I am not a daily drinker, but I am the person that when drinks, can't stop. Made horrible decisions along the way. And I become other person.

I can go weeks or months (couple no more) without drinking and the pain goes away from the last drink, sadly. Why sadly?, because I tend to forget and do it all over again.

So my real question is, do you guys have any tips for not to forgetting what it does to you ? I need to be remembered and I don't want that the only way to do so is by drinking.

I have identified this to be my problem for success (forgetting I am an alcoholic) and that is what has keep me from being successful in my recovery.

Happy sober and next 24 hours for everyone.

AnvilheadII

making a daily commitment to not drinking, NO MATTER WHAT. no more alcohol, at all, ever, not for any reason. just.don't.

doggonecarl

We are unable, at certain times, to bring into our consciousness with sufficient force the memory of the suffering and humiliation of even a week or a month ago. We are without defense against the first drink.
-- From the AA Big Book

I will second Anvil's suggestion. It's not about not forgetting what alcohol did to us. It's about remembering your commitment to sobriety.

Jezzi

I've been blogging and making 24 hour commitments. When I forget, I'll read my blogs on how miserable I was and still commit to the 24.

Dee74

Posting and reading here daily made it much harder for me to willingly forget.

There was something about seeing my own story, and others, in black and white that stayed with me.

For many years I allowed myself to drink because it might be different this time...I had to let that go because it was never different.

Every time you feel the urge or desire to drink, fight it.

Get it down to a primal 'drink=bad' reaction if you have to.
D

Andagain

I actually don't think remembering the pain does much, at least not to motivate me. No matter how miserable I became, the second I felt able to drink I forgot all about it and did it all over again. Instead of remembering, or trying to, remember the pain I instead thought about what I want my life to be rather than what it will be. So maybe try thinking about all the positive things your life can be rather than the negative consequences. For me, anyway, positive reinforcement worked better as a motivator than fear of tomorrow's hangover.

sugarbear1

alcohol is our solution, not our problem.

we need a new solution. we also need to know it's going to kill us. it's progressive. ouch.

glad you are here!

determined99

Hope1989, I just pushed a thread out called reasons to drink today for you. You may enjoy it.

determined99

Hope1989, I just pushed a thread out called reasons to drink today. You may enjoy it.

Forward12

Write it down and keep it as your gospel to what happens if you drink. "Playing it forward" is one of the most effective tools.

Zebra1275

How not to forget what alcohol does to you?

Go to AA meetings and listen.

KiKi0615

Thanks for this post. It helped me. I also go weeks...months and then feel better and forget the misery and drink again. I got a lot of good tips out of this.

axeman5971

I just started treatment. I assume some AA experiences would be the same. Listening. Empathizing. Humbling yourself. Good ways to start.

KES06

I always said somebody could be a billionaire if they could make a "hangover" perfume. One whiff and you instantly get the nausea, headache, shame, apathy, etc. - but just long enough to remind you why you are sober.