by Bob J. (Santa Rosa CA)
Change your self-image to a non-drinker/user. While this is much easier said than done, consider the benefits once it’s achieved.
You don’t feel sorry for yourself because you can’t drink or use because you don’t want to.
You aren’t jealous of people who do drink or use because that’s not you anymore.
You won’t relapse because, eventually, you won’t even get the urge.
You don’t have to attend endless meetings to stay clean and sober.
You don’t have to worry about never being able to drink or use again because you don’t want to anymore.
You avoid all the baggage associated with “alcoholic” (whatever that means) because you are a “non-drinker”. How to get there: The mind is a powerful thing controlling all our behavior. Consciously, or subconsciously, we all act on or reflect our self-image. Consider the come-from- behind victories won by Joe Montana and Michael Jordan. They knew they were going to win, their teammates knew they were going to win, and, I’ll bet, even their opponents knew they were going to win. Positive thinking brings positive results. Technique: Tell yourself you’re a non-drinker/user. When the urge comes DON’T GIVE IN! Say: “I’m a non-drinker/user”. Then distract yourself with another activity until it passes and you’ve won that round. Don’t give in the next time. Tell yourself the same thing. The urges become weaker and less frequent as this process continues until they disappear and you’ve become a non-user/drinker. You’re just like the huckster who falls for his own line. I’m not saying this is an easy task. It is not. In fact it is difficult and takes time and effort. However, if you decide to abstain and commit yourself to this process you will find your urges almost disappear and you will be enjoying a vastly improved life free from having to decide whether you should drink/use or not. Results: I guarantee that this technique works. It’s essential that you make the decision to quit and a commitment to that effort. Thinking about it, discussing it or reading about it won’t suffice. Decide to DO IT. One of our members with 2 months sobriety used this technique. He enjoyed drinking fine wines with friends. The first time the group went out after his decision it was difficult for him to abstain. Later it became easier. Last night he said that abstaining didn’t bother him at all because he is a non-drinker. This has worked for some. I hope it works for you.
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