How do you stay vigilant?
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2022
Posts: 102
How do you stay vigilant?
I am on day 27 today! I have to be honest that my resolve has weakened!
How do you stay vigilant when your last miserable drunk fades from your memory?
I need to remember how desperate I was for that first day of sobriety! Is this a problem for anyone else on here?
Would love to hear what works for you!
How do you stay vigilant when your last miserable drunk fades from your memory?
I need to remember how desperate I was for that first day of sobriety! Is this a problem for anyone else on here?
Would love to hear what works for you!
Canine Welfare Advocate
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Norfolk, VA
Posts: 10,962
Originally Posted by Quitorelse 
How do you stay vigilant when your last miserable drunk fades from your memory?
How do you stay vigilant when your last miserable drunk fades from your memory?
You only have to remember you don't drink anymore. Period. And if you haven't committed to never drinking again, do it now.
Member
Join Date: Nov 2018
Posts: 5,174
For me, the last miserable drunk didn't really fade from memory. It becomes a distant memory, and is much less in your face as an important reminder. I think it's important to understand vigilance is not about needing "in your face" ugly memories. Vigilance is more about remembering, or taking to heart that any thought of having a drink must be rejected pronto, whether you are afraid of it or not, whether you are having "an in your face recall" or not. Vigilance does not depend on fear. It's a habit of being ready to make the "no drink" choice, whether it seems important or not.
Not sure if this helps you, or if I've communicated adequately what I think it means to be vigilant.
Edit: What Carl said!
Not sure if this helps you, or if I've communicated adequately what I think it means to be vigilant.
Edit: What Carl said!
Member
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 14,940
How do you stay vigilant?
Log on to this website and spend time in the "newcomers section." Read what other's are going through and share your experiences that might help them.
What always scares me are the DUI stories. It's a miracle that I was never pulled over when drinking and driving. Between the ages of 18 and 50 I drove thousands of miles in an altered state. Many times I drove with one eye closed so that I wouldn't see double.
Log on to this website and spend time in the "newcomers section." Read what other's are going through and share your experiences that might help them.
What always scares me are the DUI stories. It's a miracle that I was never pulled over when drinking and driving. Between the ages of 18 and 50 I drove thousands of miles in an altered state. Many times I drove with one eye closed so that I wouldn't see double.
Member
Join Date: Jun 2017
Posts: 2,909
I stay vigilant through honesty. Simple, easy, nothing to remember. When I quit drinking, it was because I wanted to with every fiber of my body and soul.
I reached the point that I didn't want to drink but I couldn't not drink. I pushed through that point with the help and support of other people who had faced the same thing in their lives. I made it to the other side and got what I wanted. I don't want to drink and I can not drink.
The hard work has been done. Now it just takes honesty.
I reached the point that I didn't want to drink but I couldn't not drink. I pushed through that point with the help and support of other people who had faced the same thing in their lives. I made it to the other side and got what I wanted. I don't want to drink and I can not drink.
The hard work has been done. Now it just takes honesty.
Member
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Western US
Posts: 9,018
Heya Quitorelse, I hope you are finding some useful answers here. You may well invent some of your own methods.
Part of staying vigilant must partly lay in turning to others as you did here. Kudos for that.
Keep posting and let us know how you are doing.
Part of staying vigilant must partly lay in turning to others as you did here. Kudos for that.
Keep posting and let us know how you are doing.
Member
Join Date: May 2019
Location: UK
Posts: 3,956
Hi Quito, let’s be a bit more positive first 
You’re 27 days sober so doing something right.
Once you’ve got done a bit more sober time under your belt, being vigilant is more of an occasional thing. It’s not as exhausting as it sounds. You develop a sixth sense and avoid certain situations and certain people.
27 days is brilliant, but it is quite early days. You’ll need to be that extra bit cautious for now.
Now, as it seems you’re not giving yourself enough credit, can you list a few positives from your 27 days such as no hangovers or better health? Can you now build on that and take up a new challenge or activity? It’s time to build on your good work, realise you’re on the verge of cracking this and move on and up.
You’re 27 days sober so doing something right. Once you’ve got done a bit more sober time under your belt, being vigilant is more of an occasional thing. It’s not as exhausting as it sounds. You develop a sixth sense and avoid certain situations and certain people.
27 days is brilliant, but it is quite early days. You’ll need to be that extra bit cautious for now.
Now, as it seems you’re not giving yourself enough credit, can you list a few positives from your 27 days such as no hangovers or better health? Can you now build on that and take up a new challenge or activity? It’s time to build on your good work, realise you’re on the verge of cracking this and move on and up.
Life Goes On
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Baltimore, Maryland
Posts: 6,069
I have a deep desire for authenticity. I didn't like (or even recognize) myself when I was a drinking person. I lied, acted out of character, and lost the respect of my children. What keeps me vigilant is the commitment I've made to never drinking now, which is quite plainly and simply a prerequisite for being true to myself.
O
O
Administrator
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Australia
Posts: 211,481
I read here every day and posted to help others.
I didn’t want to forget my last drink…I couldn’t afford to forget.
Every time the idea, opportunity or thought of a drink occurred to me I said no.
I knew I would never change with regards to drinking, it would always be bad.
The way I used to drink would kill me, and any return to drinking would not be any different.
Never confuse abstinence with control.
D
I didn’t want to forget my last drink…I couldn’t afford to forget.
Every time the idea, opportunity or thought of a drink occurred to me I said no.
I knew I would never change with regards to drinking, it would always be bad.
The way I used to drink would kill me, and any return to drinking would not be any different.
Never confuse abstinence with control.
D
Member
Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: NC
Posts: 5,165
I am in the I do not drink anymore crowd.
I say it and mean it.
No matter what my AV says or tries to twist doesn't matter.
I don't drink anymore.
27 Days is Great!
It is early though. Sounds like the AV is trying to convince you maybe it wasn't really that bad.
This time will be different.
BS
Don't fall for it.
WE Do Not Drink Anymore
I say it and mean it.
No matter what my AV says or tries to twist doesn't matter.
I don't drink anymore.
27 Days is Great!
It is early though. Sounds like the AV is trying to convince you maybe it wasn't really that bad.
This time will be different.
BS
Don't fall for it.
WE Do Not Drink Anymore
Member
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: NSW - Australia
Posts: 14,612
I know now, that no matter how much I con, pretend, delude, rationalise to myself that one drink will be ok, it will not. Never, ever. I know this now, and my 'vigilance' is born from this knowledge.
It will kil me. Or turn me into an idiot, whichever comes first.
I don't want to die as an idiot. I know this now, and will never drink again.
Also, a real desire to live life on life's terms. I like to grow now. It's the best thing to ever come out of stopping.
It will kil me. Or turn me into an idiot, whichever comes first.
I don't want to die as an idiot. I know this now, and will never drink again.
Also, a real desire to live life on life's terms. I like to grow now. It's the best thing to ever come out of stopping.
Member
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Brit in Canada
Posts: 173
I come here first thing in the morning and last thing at night.
I remind myself that drinking just is not something that I do.
I remind myself that each time I took a significant break from drinking, when I returned the desire was stronger and the quantities larger.
Personally, I know I had to be in a certain frame of mind before I could even try to stop, and it wasn't a state I could just choose to be in, I had to wait for it to surface and then seize it. It was always months if not years between these feelings (of desperation maybe?). December 17th last year was the last time I felt that way - very inconvenient - exactly one week before Christmas, still I knew I couldn't wait a couple of weeks because the opportunity would have gone and the AV would have been back in control.
And I remind myself of all the aches and pains that seem to have gone away and the great sleep and the getting things done and the much more even temperament... and other stuff...
I remind myself that drinking just is not something that I do.
I remind myself that each time I took a significant break from drinking, when I returned the desire was stronger and the quantities larger.
Personally, I know I had to be in a certain frame of mind before I could even try to stop, and it wasn't a state I could just choose to be in, I had to wait for it to surface and then seize it. It was always months if not years between these feelings (of desperation maybe?). December 17th last year was the last time I felt that way - very inconvenient - exactly one week before Christmas, still I knew I couldn't wait a couple of weeks because the opportunity would have gone and the AV would have been back in control.
And I remind myself of all the aches and pains that seem to have gone away and the great sleep and the getting things done and the much more even temperament... and other stuff...
Member
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Baton Rouge, La.
Posts: 15,244
Staying vigilant by taking care of H.A.L.T. or R.I.D.
If we are hungry besure to eat healthy.
If angry talk about it with someone so that
resentments don't fester.
If lonely, surround yourself with support and
with folks showing care, understanding and
love.
If tired, sleep, relax, mediate.
If restless, irritable or discontent, do the above
and learn how to be kind to yourself as you continue
on your journey to achieving continuous sobriety one
day at a time.
If we are hungry besure to eat healthy.
If angry talk about it with someone so that
resentments don't fester.
If lonely, surround yourself with support and
with folks showing care, understanding and
love.
If tired, sleep, relax, mediate.
If restless, irritable or discontent, do the above
and learn how to be kind to yourself as you continue
on your journey to achieving continuous sobriety one
day at a time.
Member
Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: The Midwest
Posts: 650
Great work!!
I stay vigilant by equipping myself with knowledge about alcoholism (the how/why we get addicted), identifying and dismissing addiction voice, and filling up my life with good, healthy things where alcohol has no place — fitness, studies, cooking, technology. There’s no room for alcohol in my life, and I have ceased desiring the poison I know it is.
.
I stay vigilant by equipping myself with knowledge about alcoholism (the how/why we get addicted), identifying and dismissing addiction voice, and filling up my life with good, healthy things where alcohol has no place — fitness, studies, cooking, technology. There’s no room for alcohol in my life, and I have ceased desiring the poison I know it is.
.
Currently Active Users Viewing this Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
