hi Ray! well, now is the time to start planning. you can't stumble into recovery blindly and expect everything to just happen. sobriety takes planning because you've been conditioned to drink all these years. if you're like i was, everything you do, in some way, revolves around drinking. start planning on what you're going to be doing when you would normally be drinking. what are you going to do when a craving hits? have a snack? drink a soda or water? go for a walk? you'll need something because few things are more miserable than sitting and stewing during an intense craving. how are you going to deal with social situations? see, all these things require plans. if you start your sober journey with a map, you're much less likely to feel so lost in the beginning. it's still rough but it's a lot better than just wandering around not knowing what else to do when all you think you want to do is drink. you may not like the idea of planning but you gotta do thinks you don't like when you're starting sobriety. it's just a fact. you're a military man. you know hard work and you know how to do it! apply yourself and you'll have this down. keep on coming to the forums. we're glad to have you!