Take it hour by hour. You can stay sober for an hour. Deal with the next hour when it happens because you can't do anything about it now.

For anxiety, I made a list of all the thoughts that were making me anxious. Then I divided the list into 2 pages. One page was for things I could control and the other was for things I could not control. It turned out that most of my anxiety was caused by things I couldn't control. I threw away that page and kept the short list of things I could control. On that list was staying sober for the day.

To be honest what kept me going on day one was prayer.My DAY 1 ONE just happened ,,I did not plan it ,,but when I looked in the mirror that morning I just knew my drinking days were done ,The thrill was gone .So i spent most of the day in the woods walking and having a conversation with God , On day 1 I really didn't want to be around anyone ,I just wanted peace .Everyone has there own day 1 story and how they make to day 2 . Hope day 1 has some peace and joy in it for you,,, good luck.

Day One I gutted it out. I was anxious -- heck I was terrified.

It was difficult. But in the end it was doable. I felt so much better for finally making it through a day without drinking and that made it easier to get through the next days as well.

Something that might help -- when you feel overwhelmed, stop and take three long, slow, deep breaths. Pause at the top of the inhale and at the end of the exhale. Let everything else go, except for the act of breathing, and let yourself exhale out the tension and worry.

Keep posting -- let us know how you are doing.

Hello lostnursetoo,

Day 1 was a mixture of fear, excitement, embarrassment and many other emotions for me. By then I had decided that my drinking was over and that I would do whatever it took to get sober. I was by no means confident that I could do it, having already tried and failed but I had arranged to go to a meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous later that day so there was a glimmer of hope. Thanks to AA, that hope has turned into several years of sobriety.

Detox is not necessarily your biggest problem and it will take only a few days. Staying sober in the long term is where many people fall down. Sometimes it takes outside help in order to succeed with that.

Thank you both for your feedback and support. I love the suggestion for dealing with the anxiety!! Like probably a lot of folks here, I like to think there is nothing I can't control, but obviously there is or I wouldn't be here. I am trying to read the AA book, but having a little difficulty identifying with the alcoholic as they describe (I am just beginning, so I may change my mind about that later). I don't want to "wish my life away" but I really do wish I could blink my eyes and be at year 1 already!!

The best thing about the future is that it only comes, one day at a time.
~ Abraham Lincoln

PJ54 - I am also embarrassed! Gee Whiz! I would say that most of my friends and family drink, but in all honesty I can't think of a single person in my social group that doesn't drink. I am struggling with how I am going to tell them that I will no longer be drinking. No one, other than my husband, thinks I have a problem because I did 90% of my drinking at home. Any suggestions on how to handle the inevitable question about why I am not drinking??

A book that helped me is "The Easy Way to Stop Drinking" by Allen Carr.

http://www.amazon.com/The-Easy-Way-Stop-Drinking/dp/1402736479

Check out the reviews.

As for answering the question about not drinking... when asked if I want a drink, a simple "no thanks" usually works fine. If someone asks why I don't drink, I say for health reasons or that I have to drive.If they press, I say that it triggers migraines for me (it does.) I found that if I don't make a big deal out of it, no one else does either.

I am still surprised, now that I am not drinking, at how many other people don't drink. I never realized it when I was always looking for the next drink.

Alcoholism is now regarded as an illness (I prefer to call it a condition) and therefore there is no reason to be embarrassed, providing that you take steps to deal with it.

Although people tend to be self-conscious and think that others are talking about them because they are not drinking anymore, the truth is that most people are too busy with their own lives to care or even notice that you are not drinking.

What other people say or think about you is THEIR business, NOT YOURS. It can be difficult to accept that one but once you do, a lot of former worries will get blown away in the breeze.

You do not owe anyone an explanation about why you are not drinking and you will probably be surprised by the number of people who wont bother to ask. There are very many excuses you can make, such as: I am on medication; Im taking a break from it; its my New Years Resolution; Alcohol does not agree with me etc. You could of course tell some people the real reason but there is no need to shout it from the rooftops.

Remember too that people who seem unhappy that you are not drinking may have drinking problems of their own and having you drinking takes the spotlight away from them.

The fears goes away as you face them that than run from them. Soon they will be no longer monsters but smidgens. It will no longer b e a fear of living with out alcohol but a friendly fear reminding you not to drink.

It doesn't happen overnight. Think of your brave patients who struggled through and defied death

Many patients like Steve Jobs chose to take herbs rather than chemo because of fear of the treatment. You have to get though the fear otherwise alcohol will also bring death.

Thank you Impermanence!! I began my career as a hospice nurse and now work in Infectious Disease. You are absolutely right about using what I have seen my patients face and overcome as a ruler for my own battle. I will remember that. I have been privileged to work with some amazingly strong people who had much bigger dragons to slay! But slay them they did. Your advice is greatly appreciated.

Minute to minute. Added up to hours, then the day, then days.
drink TONS of liquids, and if you need medical help, seek it immediately. if you need spiritual help --- like I did (do) go to AA, or another sobriety program/ group.
Hang in there. Early sobriety is very very hard. It gets MUCH easier and then it gets wonderful.

Hi lostnursetoo,

I am 72 hours into sobriety. What I have seen so far is that this member group is encouraging, supportive, and a great addition to whatever sobriety group you decide to join. :)

What's really great is that you can join this group from anywhere! I live in a small rural town that is pretty limited as far as meetings of any kind. So finding this thread for me, was a godsend!

There is a wealth of great advice from people who have been there for being above all kind to yourself and as I have found out, sometimes taking it an hour at a time. Don't be afraid. You have friends :)

Hubby and I were on vacation for two weeks the second week in I decided I had enough it was not fun anymore two drinks went into 5-6-7 dinner and pass out only to wake up feeling like crap and doing it all over again. We were at a place in the woods and the fall leaves were beautiful. It had a river I spent every day several times a day at the river just God and I. Each day got better. and so will you.

Thank you all for all your support! Difficult morning, but as the day wore on and the words of support kept coming I started feeling much calmer and grateful to know that while I am not alone! Really tired and it's only 7p!!! I will be ringing in the New Year in my dreams! Happy New Year everyone and thank you so much! Day 1 ending....on to Day 2 and many, many more :-)!!!