Resentment destroys us...

"Resentment is the "number one" offender. It destroys more alcoholics than anything else."
~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, How It Works, pg. 64~

The deeper meaning in this statement is that, resentment affects not only the active alcoholic but also, and probably more importantly - the recovering alcoholic! SO much changes in a recovering alcoholic's life that may not seem fair, right, or just that something like resentment of almost any kind can lead to a relapse of some degree. Resentment that your old friends can still drink, the new friends who do not drink are always happy, worrying more about money problems, lack of trust, stereotyping, and so much more seem to plague us, especially in early recovery, it is no wonder relapse is so common. GET ABOVE ALL OF THAT RESENTMENT, all of this is just a natural part of getting clean and sober and all the more reason to hang around with fellow AA's. They know and are more sensitive to what you are going through.

At least once a day...

"Step Eleven suggests prayer and meditation. We shouldn't be shy on this matter of prayer. Better men than we are using it constantly."
Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, Into Action, pg. 85

This is our connection to God and the remembrance of where we never want to back to, on an at least once daily (preferably more frequently) occurrence. Always be grateful and humbled by the Grace of God for you still being here, functional and whole. The best times are upon waking or before turning in at the end of your day, but it is best to be grateful whenever good things happen or points you in the right direction instead of into harms way. It doesn't have to be a long, drawn out affair, simply be thankful for the chance(s) you have been given.

We are what we are...

"We have seen the truth demonstrated again and again: 'Once an alcoholic, always an alcoholic.' Commencing to drink after a period of sobriety, we are in a short time as bad as ever."
Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, More About Alcoholism, pg. 33

My God is this ever true!!! In the basements of the alcoholic/addicts mind is a thought that someday we would be able to drink or use again without the hassle of getting hooked again. Maybe after a time of sobriety, or abstinence, we could use again in only small, controlled amounts. BUT IT IS A LIE!!! We are what we are - alcoholics and/or addicts!!! There is NO halfway, no controlling it, no 'just this one time...'. If we use, we are toast once again! So why even think about it? Why torment yourself and wonder if one day you could ever go back to being like everyone else (people who seem to be able to do it responsibly).
You are what you are - a person who cannot, will not use alcohol or drugs ever again - it really is that simple!

The only choices...

"...with us, to drink is to die."
~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, How It Works, pg. 66~

I know - without a doubt - that if I were to start drinking and using again I will die! I have been to that edge 3 times already and am absolutely positive that if I were to get there again it would be the end of me. Now, if that is not incentive to remain clean and sober, then I do not know what is. Those times I did to back to using and drinking, I returned to a full-blown alcoholic/addict state in record time. After the first time it does not take long to get back where you left off. Live or die, I choose to live and therefore I abstain.