It's amazing that you've come to the realisation that booze doesn't serve you anymore. It's a long journey and once you let the brain monkeys convince you it's fine, or you 'deserve' a drink after a long day's work or as a reward, or one extra doesn't hurt, you're back drinking again. I'm at the same stage as you - I need sleep, and I don't function as well, and I'm generally just not as healthy when I drink. It's taken a while to get here, and I'm glad I don't bother anymore - maybe every few weeks I have a good, expensive glass of red wine (or two) and boy I enjoy that a lot more than a daily, even if I have to sacrifice sleep for it. I've been training my husband (i.e nagging?) to not see alcohol as a reward - he does NOT deserve one for mowing the lawn, working all week, or whatever - if he wants one, admit that, but dont see it as a reward! One must train one's brain monkeys.
Exactly, the brain-training is what I left out. I like those kind of challenges for myself, and this one is quite big. I've been used to having a beer whenever I wanted for a long time now. Sometimes it's more, sometimes less, and sometimes I don't drink for a month - but on purpose. It's harder to do it from time to time, to really change that custom into a treat, than to just let go completely. But I think I can get to the point where you are - enjoying a really good glass of wine or bottle of beer every once in a while. And congratulations on achieving that!
Ha and don't even get me started on my journey to being an ex smoker! Same thing.
Lol, luckily, I've never been that. Never liked the flavor much. But I heard and see from others that it's quite difficult. There are people though who just quit from one day to the next, if they have a good reason. So, indeed, it is all in the mind that controls the body in those cases.