It becomes a thing that it doesn't matter what the occasion is, drinking is the thing to do for blowing off steam, celebrating, going out, staying in - whatever it is that you can justify it in your own head.

Replacements work fine for some of it, I'm still a ginger ale fiend. But it really came down to what most people in AA will tell you, all you need to do is avoid having the first drink today, tomorrow is another battle. That's still the goal for the next day, but it's way, way less daunting than thinking about being sober forever.

Eventually you'll see the benefits you've made for yourself and if you're anything like me, resent the idea of ever having a drink again. Genuinely not sure what it would take for me to go back to drinking, and that's from a guy that could chase a flask of rum with a bottle of wine any day of the week for any occasion.

It'll take time, and it certainly isn't easy, finding a new hobby that you haven't yet poisoned with drinking is probably a good idea, and it doesn't hurt to take in AA meetings. They shove the religious stuff too much for me, so I don't go anymore, but it was instrumental for my first 90 days.

There's enough nuggets of wisdom to put aside my utter distaste of the abrahamics, you don't need to do all the steps, you just need to recognize you have a problem, and are there to remedy it, take what works and leave the rest.

Best of luck friend, if I could do it, I'm sure anyone can, stay strong, it's much better on the other side I can promise you that much.