Baby steps is very accurate!!! This is a very long and tough road we are walking. I imagine my alcoholism is like a beast I keep in a cage. Every once in awhile, it gets out and turns my life upside down. It got out yesterday, but I was able to wrestle it to the ground and lock it back up before it destroyed anything. Thank God!!!!
I also agree with "one day at a time." I really am doing the work and trying very, very hard. Sometimes I wonder what I would tell my 15 year-old self (when I started drinking) if I could go back in time. What I would say is always some variation of "Don't take that first drink! Please! You can't even imagine the grief it will bring." Unfortunately, I probably wouldn't have listened. I am still struggling with listening to those words - Don't take that first drink. But, I'm getting there one day at a time.
I love being sober SO MUCH MORE than being drunk or hungover. Withdrawing for 5 days is also something I can do without.