At times that I've cut back voluntarily, I still tried to maintain the rituals. Like for instance, when I come home from work, I generally pour myself a cocktail. It signals the end of the work day and the start of my time. So, instead of a cocktail, I'd pour a glass of iced tea from a pitcher of kept in the fridge, and spike it with some cranberry juice. The pattern was close enough to the mixing of a cocktail that I didn't really care that it wasn't an actual adult drink. The ice clinked in the glass just the same. I like to have a glass of wine on hand when I balance the checkbook and pay the bills (keeps me from panicking), so instead I'd have a diet soda in glass stem ware.
It also helps to rid the house of what you can't have. Making it incredibly difficult to have a drink goes a long way toward changing your attitude about it.
Good luck and get well soon,
Rex.
At any moment you must be prepared to give up who you are today for who you could become tomorrow.
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