Hi there,
When an addict makes a commitment to stop drinking or drugging it very often appears as a huge mountain he has to climb. In many cases the problems seem so great that they take on insurmountable proportions. An example, a very South African one, may be: "You mean I will never be able to have a beer with my braai?" May seem trivial to a non-drinker but to the alcoholic it becomes a veritable mountain. Therefore we apply the "not today" rule. I will not take a drink today. Tomorrow lies in God's hands. Tomorrow he re-affirms his vow, I will not drink (or drug) today. The days stretch into weeks, the weeks into years but we always re-affirm every day -Not today. As time goes by the insurmountable does not appear so extreme anymore and the alcoholic later realises that he can have a braai, go to a dance and enjoy himself/herself without their drug of choice. That is what is meant by the "Not today" rule. Hope this helps.