The counting matters, to many people, VERY MUCH in the beginning. And to mess up and start all over, can, at times, be debilitating and cause a continual regression. I know this for the zillions of times I quit cigarettes. However, I do know that the last one I had was April 7, 1997 and if I personally had one after that I would change the date. However, sometimes when we are desperate that diminishes the accomplishment we had when we "start all over". It can feel as if the length of time never existed, when it very well did. I say whatever works in the beginning. But I am a counter myself. Some folks can't just perpetually stay on day 1 forever, though, without giving up. Just my $.02