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Planning for Day 1

Nervous? Don't be! Everyone on the dry or moderating journey had a Day 1. However many days sober warriors have lived through, each and every one of us had a Day 1. Several of us (yes, me too) had more than one Day 1. Some people have many Day 1s. 

But you are you, and this is your journey to be travelled in a way that works for you. Plus you are here ready to start, which already puts you ahead of all those people who haven't even given it a moment's thought. 

So, let's make some plans to make sure YOUR Day 1 is as successful as it can be.

1. Get your existing supplies of alcohol out of the fridge for sure, and preferably out of your home. Put the tins and bottles in the garage, under the stairs, in the boot of your car, leave them with a friend. Never was 'out of sight, out of mind' more appropriate than now. 

2. Buy in supplies of what you will plan to drink instead. Remember you will probably be saving money by not buying alcohol, so if it's at all possible, don't skimp on buying alternatives you know you will enjoy. Equally, don't just buy something on this list if you know you're going to hate it! 

3. Dust off that Sodastream and buy some flavours. Check out cordials in your supermarket (Belvoir or Tessiere are good) to mix with still or sparkling water, or buy flavoured waters (San Pellegrino for example). Try different flavours of herbal or fruit teas. Tonic waters or other mixers (Fevertree) can be a good substitute, as can other drinks like Ovaltine, Options hot chocolate or Horlicks. Fizzy drinks, including ginger beer, cola, lemonade or kombucha can also satisfy the taste buds. 

4. If you're tempted to buy alcohol free drinks, do it if you think it will help but on Day 1 my advice is to not drink them expecting them to be exactly like the beer, wine or spirits you're not drinking. Zero or low alcohol beers are generally accepted to be the best substitutes of all, wine probably the worst.

Tomorrow I'll be taking a look at what to say to friends, family and significant others about your decision to take a break from alcohol.


 


Location: 11000 Carcassonne, France

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