priceyjunk

Hey everyone,
I'm into my 71st day. I think the last couple of weeks in particular have taught me the meaning of 1 day at a time. I dont want to go back to drinking. But man, have I been tempted. Everytime I've been on the verge of slipping up, I pull back. I usually do 1 of several things. I think about all the times when I had been dependant on the booze and the situations and near misses I've put myself and I'm ashamed to say, others through. I think about the blatant effect boozing has had on my physical and mental health.

when all else fails, and I'm really tempted, I just count the days I've stayed sober, and tell myself, 'just 1 more day', or 'just until I make it to the next round number' and that gets me through that day, just for that day. I dont care if i have to do this for the rest of my life.

interestingly, I've had nothing but support from friends/ collegues I meet up with to socialise when I tell them I can't drink. I dont mention the dependance bit, but talk about how it affects my health and 'stress levels'. They all seem to understand. A few of them want to stopp drinking too, and recognise similar effects on their emotional/physical health but do not yet see themselves as dependant. Strangely, the only person so far who has been keen for me to take a drink is my wife. Our relationship is probably abit troubled at this point, but we still care for each other. She is not aware of my problems with dependance, but knows that i stopped for health reasons, which she thinks are slightly hypochondriachal. She has on several occassions encouraged me to have a glass of something, which I've turned down. She herself is teetotal, has been since we met. She just can take alcohol. I just wonder what her motivation might be at this stage?

lastly, I really wanted to ask others who've surrended to sobriety, how far they've gone in staying away from booze! I'm sure most of us do not touch alcohol as a drink. but what about alcohol in food, especially if its used in the sauces or in certain cakes. Would/ do you guys avoid these totally? I know the common belief is that they are burnt off in the cooking process, but not all of it goes, I'm sure! Obviously culprits like brandies fruits, herbal tonics etc should not be drink, but what about others? It seems alcohol in cooking in really ubiquitous.
at the beginning, I avoided all alcohol containing food, and it was hard. later on, i started eating such food- steak in red wine based sause, fish in beer batter. I dont really feel guilty about it, but should I, and should I readjust my days as a result? what have you guys done?