what keeps me sober is knowing that i am the happiest that i have ever been. i am finally somebody that i can be proud of and that my entire family can be proud of. i love being someone that my son can look up to.

While I was practicing it, one day at a time worked awesome. Temptations? Not today. That and praying to my higher power (I still don't understand exactly what that is) to keep me sober and giving thanks at night for keeping me sober. The most important tool I used when I had a few months of sobriety in was picking up that damn phone. It works every time for me. Sometimes I had to stay on the phone for hours and make multiple calls waiting until alcohol sales stopped for the night, but that really did the trick.
Play the tape all the way through, think of what the consequences will be if you drink. Don't fall for the tricks your mind tries to play on you. I thought it would be ok just this once, it wasn't. A few bottles later my life was in shambles. If I had only made that call........

What keeps me sober is having God in my life since finding recovery. That gives me everything I need. It's how I found love through recovery. Staying sober allows me to love people, and a lot love me now. That is my greatest gift. I can't love when drinking. That was a horrible realization that I would spend the rest of my life that way. Very lonely, and miserable. Have a great day. James

For now chance of life is main reason. Feeling physically better and not living in fear of what i did or said helps too. Early days for me, lot of learning growing to do.

Howdy Howto, my spiritual awakening came in small spurts that I now realise were each small miracles for me. It was the changes in me that finaly took my fear away. Your post brings back what I was like at 2 months, fear and fellowship kept me going till I caught on and the promises started for me. Keep it up you're doing great.

The benefits of being a decent, responsible woman with dignity, unencumbered by the horrors of drink and the deep seated knowledge that I am an alcoholic, alcoholism is a fatal disease and it is endemic in my family. That said, at 11 years sober I don't live in fear of drinking like I did in the early days - I have a healthy respect for my disease and I continue to work my AA programn and always will. I never have even an interest in drinking these days and I was lucky enough to acheive that state of mind early on in sobriety - but that was also because I surrendered utterly and did everything it took to get sober and stay sober.

God keeps me sober because He is the Power that I do not have. I am powerless over alcohol - Step 1 - and always will be.

If I ever think I am sober by my own design, I know I will drink again.

Only a spiritual awakening as a result of the 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous (followed precisely as instructed in the Big Book) could help this alcoholic.

My spirituality, My commitment, my willpower, my reality, my acceptance, my knowledge, my happiness, my peace, my health, my children, my determination......

Peace!

Doing the same things today that got me sobriety then. Meetings, sponsor and service. How much is enough? Doesn't matter until there isn't enough.
The easiest way I seen to figure out exactly what keeps one sober is to stop doing things gradually - when you go back out you'll know what kept you sober. A test I'm not likely to try any time soon...

Faith and Works HTL. For me they go hand in hand.

God's Power, His Love and His way of life - it's that simple really.

Before I had a spiritual awakening I believe that it was my total commitment to my recovery, my ability and willingness to take direction, and doing the necessary work allowed me to be sober by the Grace of God.

Fear and determination can be really helpful in the early days but as someone on here said, that won't last forever and so the Steps are of paramount importance for us to achieve permanent sobriety.

God, my knowledge that I cannot stay sober by myself, the support of my sponsor, my family, my doctors, sharing and talking to other sober alcoholics. Knowing I am going to wake up and remember the night before, clearheaded and not hungover, talking to other newly sober people as they com in to AA. I only have 5 1/2 months, but working the program and working the steps and knowing there is always someone to call when I need help to stay sober.

For now, just try believing there is a HP, and they are in control of your life, not you, I what helped me and has re-awakened my spiritual life. It wasn't wasy, but is so worth it.

Hugs,
Karen

Thanks all. Great replies.

Cabledude, my track record isn't great. I am now at 52 days. In the past year I have probably relapsed 8 times with some of those binges lasting on/off for 2 months. I have been here at 52 days only once before, a year ago. I have accumulated over 30 days only 4 times since I began drinking alcoholically 20 yrs ago. I have learned a lot and am doing the best I can now. This is my honest, realistic evaluation of myself. I do need more soon to keep me sober. Demons are breathing down my neck. All I can do is one day at a time, the next right thing.

Peace.

screaming, crying, yelling, laughing, loving, hugging, kissing, kicking, crying alittle more, laughing a lot more.
Living day to day is what keeps me sober, I know that in the early stages i'm going to stumble, and not setting myself up for failure. for example, expecting perfection the first time.
talking also helps, don't stuff your feelings, feel them, express them. and don't regret the decisions you will have to make in order to stay sober :D

God doing for me what "I could not do" for myself. God is the power behind all of it, and he has given me the gift of sobriety. I accepted that gift from a few friends that told me about it. Been sober for almost 2 years now; one day at a time.