Hey Naomi! Welcome
To start with, honesty and accountability. Be brutally honest with yourself and everyone you confide in about your sober journey. Make yourself accountable every single day.
One of the things that panicked me the most was thinking about the enormity of being sober for the rest of my life. This is far too much for an addicted mind to handle in your very early sobriety. You just focus on the day that you are on, and hold yourself accountable for that one day. Say to yourself every morning - I WILL NOT DRINK TODAY. Then do exactly that. You will thank yourself so much tomorrow morning for not giving in the day before. Repeat this process every day.
We often talk about a sober toolbox here. Everyone has one, and what you put in it is unique to you. You will have different coping methods and mechanisms that work for you to help you deal with times you are struggling. This can be anything from AA meetings, Talking Sober site, to meditation or praying, walking / running / going to the gym, going to the cinema, going to see family friends… Etc. Etc. You decide what it is you’re going to do when you struggle, and ensure you execute the plan.
If you’re the kind of person that drinks at a certain time of the day, then make sure you have a new plan for that time. Otherwise, your brain will try to keep running the ‘drink’ program. You have to take yourself out of any situation that triggers you.
Start improving your health in general. Keeping fit, eating well, taking supplements if it’s needed. Thiamin (vitamin B1) is often recommended to people who have been drinking for a considerable time. I take it myself, amongst other supplements. The constant battering your body and mind takes from alcohol abuse over time kills your energy and motivation. This will help.
Be patient and kind with yourself, BUT - take no bullshit from yourself either. There will always be a ‘reason’ to drink. Oh that was such a long day, I deserve a drink after that… Oh this happened and it was so stressful… Yada yada. These aren’t reasons, they are excuses because not drinking is making you uncomfortable. Suck it up. You can’t go sober without calling yourself out on your BS. Deal with it. The reward is coming in the morning, and you’ll be so proud of yourself.
Set yourself challenges. Check in here every day, again, keeping yourself accountable.
I wish you the best of luck on your journey, we are here if you need a chat, or if you need to get things off your chest. You CAN do this