Hi everyone! 
My name is Sandra, I’m 49 and from Germany, and today is the first day of my alcohol-free journey. To be honest, alcohol is still on my mind all the time, and I don’t really know how I’m going to do this. That’s why I joined this group. I’m hoping to connect with people who understand, share experiences, and offer support and advice.
I’m looking forward to getting to know you all, and I’m grateful to be here. 
Welcome @SaRi this is a fantastic community and resource. Visiting here daily and going to AA got and keeps me sober. Congrats on making a decision to change and taking action. Thats hard as hell. Congrats on day one! Just for today do what you must (that wont hurt you or others) to get to bed sober.
Dear Sandra! Welcome! I am from austria…11 days sober and i have to say this community helps a lot. Every single person is so kind and understanding. 
Step by step! You can do it
Welcome Sandra, keep busy, find a hobby which brings you joy and read lots here. Plenty of inspirational people in this wonderful community
Hi Sandra and welcome to TS. Well done on taking this step on your recovery journey, have a good read around on here, you’ll receive fantastic support moving forward for you. Be kind to yourself and take one day at a time, always reach out if you need to and may I suggest putting some distractions in place if needed ie hobbies, going for a brisk walk. Sending you positive vibes 
Welcome! You are in the right place for support and help. Read all the threads and ask any questions!
hi from Scotland my wife has a brother who lives in Germany wish you well
Hi Sandra and welcome. Alcohol is still on my mind all the time because I’m alcoholic. I’ll probably think about it 1000 times or more today, but I asked for help to keep me sober today. I asked sincerely and didn’t make any deals promising anything. This simple humble act of asking my Higher Power for help somehow takes that impossible burden off of my plate for the day. I also attend AA because I enjoy it finally 
ODAAT
Welcome 
Hi Sandra.
For me, at the start, it wasn’t so much one day at a time but one minute at a time. Initially avoiding places I’d buy alcohol, going to places I’d drink alcohol. Sometimes this just meant walking past and not turning back was a success. 18 months on I still occasionally think about it and even fancy a drink but this feeling very quickly passes when I think where my life is now. Maybe the thought of alcohol will never pass but I’ve never been so healthy and happy. In the hard times I read, walked and just found stuff to get through the next minute. It’s all worth it. I’ve tried and failed many times but hope that this time I’ve finally got rid of the poison. Good luck with your journey. This is a good place to talk and get advice.
Welcome @SaRi! You will find support and much more here. I highly recommend finding tasks or hobbies to fill your time. Journaling and meditation are huge helpers as well. Hydration and mild exercise are key. The bottom line is you can’t get better without resetting your brain chemistry to not want to drink. You have already started that process! Yay! It’s really hard at first but that phase doesn’t last forever I promise it gets better as you “rewire” your brain.
What happens as you get farther and farther away from alcohol is that the thoughts are manageable and then they become fleeting as someone posted earlier. I don’t know if they ever go away completely but when they pop in my head now, I kick them right back out and they are gone. Just that quick.
Hi Sandra! Welcome to TS, and congrats on your day 1! You made the best decision one can make. Sobriety ain’t always easy, but it’s totally worth it. Read around and ask questions, here’s always someone present, so you don’t have to be alone. One day at a time, together we can do this!
New here. On day 1. I’m worried about withdrawals. Anytime I’ve felt the shakes/anxiety come on, I’ve had a drink. Hoping I wasn’t drinking enough to have a seizure and that I can suffer through a couple of days of discomfort. I was 6 months sober until March and then started pretty heavily drinking the past 2 months, anywhere from 3-10 drinks per day almost every day. Thanks for the support
Welcome @Mila5630 read around lots and share more when you feel comfortable
The first day is always a huge step. In my opinion, it’s the most important day of all. It’s the first of many, but every new day should feel like your first.
Don’t focus on records or on how long you’ve been sober. Just aim to stay sober today. Give yourself that gift, one day at a time. Learn to enjoy the little things, because there is so much still waiting to be discovered.
Your life won’t suddenly become perfect—your problems will still be there. But at least you’ll no longer be carrying one of the biggest and most destructive burdens of all: alcohol.
Hello & Welcome!
I’ve only been here about a week; and honestly, I restarted my streak yesterday…
The folks here are super sweet and supportive.
Check back daily; read posts & reply to ones that resonate.
And, if you slip up, don’t isolate yourself. This community may face different addictions, but we are all on this journey together!
Hi Mila … I’m grateful you are aware of the dangers of self detoxing. I almost died not knowing and I went cold turkey. If there any inpatient detoxes I would recommend that to everyone. Things will get better quickly and I wish you the best in your recovery. Keep us updated on your progress. I know it helps me stay sober! THANK YOU Stay safe and sober
Hi @SaRi !
So glad to have you here!! You are not alone 
I’m 38 and approaching day 4. I’m finding drinking Bubly water for the hand to mouth compulsion very helpful so far. Take everything 5 minutes atta time, okay? You got this 
Great post! Congrats on Day 4!!
Your thought about ‘not making deals or promises’ resonates with me…
I’ve made so many promises over the decades, to my wife, my family, my friends, and my Higher Power - so many promises that they came to be meaningless.
Plenty of deals as well, especially with my wife - again, all to naught.
It’s actually a new thought to me, just asking for the help and accepting it.
Thanks for offering your comment!