Yup, search tool is the key. I wrote a guide on the simple and advanced ways to use it.
Coupled with that is my OCD level work of assigning Categories to all topics whenever possible. That helps with filtering results in the search tool.
And even though I don’t participate in all topics, I see enough of them to remembering basic discussion and often see repeat ones, so that leads me to search and see if I can link or merge as appropriate.
How is that for too long of an answer? 