I was glad of the outcome of this thread. Good job.
I drank for 30 years and tried to stop for 30 years -no one said it would be easy. The last time I quit it was for good. I had 4 kids and know all about the relief drinking. I also had a husband at that time that drove truck and was gone all week every other week so I know about the temptation & excuses.
One thing I found THIS time was that I changed my habits. In early revovery I changed my thinking upon even entering a store that has booze. Don't go to that section!
Oh sure, I've been seen walking up the booze aisle smelling the labels but I know what would happen if that booze hitched a ride home with me. Like another said, play the tape forward. That truly helped me to stay focused on my goal.
I was so glad to hear you gave the booze away...having booze in the house is just a bad thing when you're quitting. Just an aweful temptation. You would have drank it and felt very badly about yourself. ((HUG))