I used to tell the story of my last drink with great enthusiasm as it was fresh on my mind and an insane situation. But as time passed, I found I was just mouthing the words and the emotion involved in the tale was gone. Maybe at once I was almost proud of it or something. Anyhow, I wasn't always drunk but would go on crazy binges. But towards the end, I was getting a buzz on every day.
So there was an event with a stolen car and shoplifting beer from a convenience store at 2am and a police chase and a dukes of hazard jump which failed and a destroyed vehicle and waking up handcuffed to a hospital bed with a cop sitting next to me, reading magazines or something. And then off to jail for an initial 4 days. All of this was not typical for me as I don't shoplift and have my own car.
So yeah-- a bottom. Bottom really helps clarify things. At the time, I was deep in debt and as I had no bail, my girlfriend called my parents who hired a lawyer. So now, they knew. When I got out, I wasn't drunk or hung-over and was really scared about my future. The police charges were really substantial. At a minimum, I assumed I was going to spend 120 days in jail. I knew I was going to have to call the parents and perhaps to keep them happy, I caught a cab to an AA meeting. And that's when I developed an odd mantra which went, I don't know if I believe in God, but I'm pretty sure if I drink right now, he's going to fuck me over. I didn't, and he didn't.
Everybody has a different approach and mine won't work for most, sadly. But I had to hit bottom. And "not drinking" became my life's priority. Without that one goal, I do not think I would have made it.
Oh yeah, and seven years sober, I got in touch with some childhood friends and we planned a trip together. I realized this was the first time I was going to be immersed in a situation where the beer and whatever would be flowing. I was apprehensive but really wanted to go. I let them know beforehand that I'd straightened up. Also, I decided to get a hotel room so I'd have some form or sanctuary available. Not drinking, smoking for those few days became a fun kind of challenge. Also, they were good enough people to not start trying to talk me into it. Survived.
TLDNR: Lose almost everything (find a bottom) and hopefully you'll be too disgusted with yourself to drink for a few days. Then make staying sober the #1 priority of your life. Avoid certain situations for quite a few years.