Well I feel silly even writing this out, but day 1 complete. I’ve had many day 1s and they always seem to be the hardest for me. It’s 6PM, around the time I would be pouring a glass of wine while I numb myself to the stress of the day, and drown my emotions. Instead I am going to meet a friend for Pho, then I’m going to go home and read, bubble bath, cry. Anything except drink. Any tips to get past those craving times please let me know, any advice will help me at this point, I’m so tired of starting over. Wish me luck.
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Walks, water, cry, scream, meetings, come chat on here ( saved my life) but whatever you do you’ve only got to do it for one day. Tomorrow we can do whatever we want but today we don’t drink.
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I agree day 1s suck but that sounds like a lovely evening. I’ve avoided wine this evening too and I’ve found it boring but I know I will be grateful in the morning 
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As for coping with craving I find creativity helps me the most. I knit and crochet and this helps my brain x
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Pho is a great start!
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The great thing about day 1 being complete is that you never have to go through another day 1 . Be proud of yourself!
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This was my day 1
I was commenting on others with 3 days saying i cant even picture day 3 ! Ive been drinking pretty much everyday for the past 3 years after losing my daughter . I never thought id be able to keep sober especially on the weekend but i did . I just want to prove to myself i am worth being happy . I deserve to feel the good things and i wont if i keep trying to mask the bad things w alcohol. I have turned down opportunities to drink this past week that on day 1 i never would of . I never thought i could have this type of self control . So each day makes me nit even want to drink bc ill break my streak and i dont want to feel that day one ever again . I have along way to go but damn im on the road at least . Youre not alone . I found so much support here its insane . The number of day ones are irrelevant. Its you chosing day one that is strength in itself . Be proud that you love yourself that much to do the day one 
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Congratulations on Day 1, you should be proud! I too have had many day 1s. My advice is, don’t beat yourself up if you slip (but that’s not a given, many people have their 1st and only day 1).
Find things to distract you, anything, movies, books, games, hobbies (I’ve started hobbies since trying to get sober). I also like to try new foods. And treat yourself when you do good. That can be 1 day, 1 week, or just a Friday night. I hope you enjoyed the Pho! I’m rooting for you!!! 
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Well done! It gets easier and easier. I used to check my counter regularly throughout the day, just to see the sober time inching towards another day. Now I count the months.
To get past craving times - have a plan. Buy the ingredients to cook something. Choose the online meeting you will attend. Plan which room of your house you will tidy. Decide where you will take a walk to.
For in the pinch moments I would sniff lavendar essential oils, eat mints or drink tea, do a stretching video from an app. Anything to change my feelings.
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@KVR289 thank you for sharing that with me. I’m sorry for the loss of your daughter. You sound like an incredibly strong human and your story probably gives so many people hope, just like it did for me. I really do appreciate your words and also I hope you know you should be proud of the progress you made. I hope I’m able to start counting up same days too! 
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I actually am . Its a very weird feeling for me considering im constantly feeling guilty about drinking so much everyday with 2 kids watching me change personalities . Im aware and present 100 % for the first time in YEARS . I just want to feel something other than guilt , depression , anxiety and exhaustion . I would give into my kids for everything bc i felt so bad i was drunk infront of them or it gave me more time to have another drink if they were getting extra video game time or play time outside . Not this month so far . Im riding this train as long as i can . If i have an event where alcohol is served ill have to see what my mind and heart tell me . But i am not drinking at home at all . No alcohol allowed in my home . If we are at a celebration or dinner event ill see how i feel about even having a drink . But for now i keep clise to home so im not in the position to choose . I feel i can hold out longer and hopefully be one of these fabulous people on here saying … before i knew it i was 1 yr sober and never felt better 
we can get there just give yourself grace .
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Welcome to the community. Sticking close to here and posting for the accountability could be helpful to you.
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Welcome to the community. Day 1 is a huge accomplishment. It’s the day you tell addiction to fuck off and take your life back. During craving times when I’m alone, I like to listen to sobriety podcasts. There’s some really good ones out there. Like Recovery elevator, Shair Podcast, and the bubble hour and recovery happy hour. It helps to just listen to other people’s stories and you won’t feel like your doing it alone. Plus you’ll get some great ideas. Congrats on starting your sobriety journey. 
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Hi @Samixx
Welcome, day 1 is so hard but also there day you have your highest resolve. It’s the day you’ve decided to take control, it sucks to repeat it because it means somewhere after that there was a failing.
As you’ll have gathered from a lot of other responses there are no tricks, short cuts or ways to keep yourself going, it’s a wholly subjective thing and only you know what the key to your sobriety really is, or, maybe you don’t but will discover it in your journey.
For me I found that going back and doing things I used to enjoy before I ever started drinking worked, so I went back to martial arts, used that as a means to feel better, used my non drinking and drinking thoughts as motivation in the gym and then as the health results came along from the gym, the training and no drinking my mindset and thought processes changed. I’m 712 days since my last day 1 and in the best shape physically and mentally that I’ve been in for 20+ years.
Stick with your resolve and reach out if you need to. Me and many others are here to support and help you whether it be through an open forum or private message. We are all recovering together. Take what you like from what others say and disregard what you don’t. Build your own toolkit for getting through the difficult days and enjoy the good ones, after all life is for enjoying!
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