I got myself a titanium ring at 3 months sobriety, have worn in ever since. Nothing fancy quite plain with an inscription on the inside that means something to me. Rings work well I think for grounding yourself.

I got a second ring with an AA symbol at 5 years. It's kind of fun.
.people sometimes ask me if I'm in some kinda secret society...little do they know :))

P

I did the rubber band for a while and gave myself a "SNAP" on the wrist if I had intrusive/what if thoughts. I think it's a great idea:)

That's kind of what I was thinking. I just ordered a simple black wristband that says "One Life One Chance" on it.

I like that expression as a reminder of why I don't want to drink any more.

Rich

I pray every morning for the God of my understanding to remind me that I cannot drink - but additional help could be ... I don't know - fun. I am a grown up woman so I am not that playful anymore - but being sober is fun itself - believe me... and I mean working the steps because I have seen people acting out the diseas without a drink - they think they have to go crazy to have fun - I do not anymore - I just enjoy what ever comes along...with peace if I happen to be doing well that day of course - lol

Hello Rich,

Wearing something that reminds you not to drink is a good short term solution. I remember when I first went to AA meetings that introduction: My name is x and Im an alcoholic drove me crazy all through the next day after a meeting and it was one of the many things I was going to change about AA. (LOL). But that little sentence kept me reminded that I could not drink safely.

I no longer need to be constantly reminded because the obsession for alcohol is long gone. However, I do need to be reminded that I could go back there again and that is why reading peoples stories here and listening to sharing at AA meetings is very important to me.

I think that without getting a sponsor and having a programme of recovery that I would continue to struggle. For me the bracelet needs to be worn on the mind, not the wrist.

http://exposingocd.blogspot.co.uk/2010/08/unhelpful-strategies-thought-stopping.html?m=1

I never tried the elastic band thing and I have no idea if it would work for intrusive thoughts of drinking...not something I have heard anyone else talk about either but I believe it can be useful for self harmers.

Stoopid as it sounds wearing a ring did help me personally in early days and in times of distress later in sobriety. For me it was a reminder and a centering tool...staying in the moment. It also symbolized a commitment I had made to myself and something I blindly started calling a 'god of my understanding'. I found it comforting and worked pretty well in replacing unwanted thoughts with more positive ones rather than just trying to "suppress the negative" (Don't think of a pink elephant!)

http://www.healthcentre.org.uk/sports-medicine/sports-centring-mental-focus.html

Did you ever see the catholics playing with the Rosary or the greek orthodox bracelets? An open mind cannae be a bad thing :)
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Centering_prayer

P

Nothing like a chip in my pocket to help me in the early time. 1-2