“Just One Won’t Hurt” is a classic expression where someone thinks they can handle one drink without spiraling back into full-blown use, but if you play with fire, you’ll eventually get burned.

Anytime you have to convince yourself of something, it’s probably not something you should do. One drink isn’t going to hurt if you’re “normal,” but with addictive tendencies, one drink can lead to devastation. Put it this way:  you’ll never gain anything from that one drink, but it can undoubtedly be the catalyst to lose everything.

Discipline is the secret sauce to a sober life, and you need a focused objective on staying clean. You want to keep clean because you want a healthier life, better relationships, and a sense of purpose. How does the “Just one won’t hurt” mentality get you there? It can’t, so it needs to be removed from our thinking.

Instead of thinking one won’t hurt, tell yourself one could be the end of the world, and you’ll fall into a despair of guilt and shame. That one drink is kryptonite that can ruin everything.  Just one won’t hurt, and too many are never enough. Give yourself no excuse to participate with substances again because you’ve proven it doesn’t end well.

I’ve been there, done that, and got the DUI. It is my story. Now it’s time to be more productive with our time.