SoHard, welcome!
I started experiencing many benefits soon after quitting. Within weeks and months I felt better physically, mentally and emotionally. A lot of it comes from choices ... choosing to focus on the benefits, to be open to new things, and to view changes as opportunities. A gratitude list specifically helps me cultivate that.
I think that much of the doom and gloom, struggle, and fear of missing out is just the old AV, trying to convince us that there's no way to be happy without booze. It's simply not true.
To be clear tho -- thoughts of drinking may arise occasionally. But once I understood that they have no real power and can just be observed and released, they no longer caused difficulty.
Wishing you joy and happiness SoHard -- it is yours for the taking!