I think you are off to a good start. Being honest with yourself about where you are is key. I am not a substance abuse expert and I think you've received some great advice here to consider. I will add a few strategies I would leverage if it were me. Also, you mentioned this should be easy. It is and it isn't. It is a bi of a paradox. You're deep into a pattern of subconsciously driven behavior and it will keep repeating until you establish new behaviors to replace it.

I'd start by clearing my living space of alcohol and as many of my physical triggers as possible. I would then make it a point to stay out of scenes where it is available to buy. No walking into gas stations. I'd have my groceries brought to my car, delivered or purchased by someone else. If needed, I'd go so far as to write my no drinking goal down and place it in places that remind me of drinking or where I usually have the 'I want a drink thought'. I would also become as strong and clean as possible through exercise and diet.

I'd make a schedule and stick to it. I would make sure my brain was fully engaged throughout the day. This would include plenty of self care time to reduce stress triggers for drinking. Writing it down with to do lists helps.

I'd look into my past and get to the root of why I began drinking to self medicate. I would work to address those wounds. I'd also keep a journal to see what thoughts and emotions precede wanting to drink. If you can be conscious of the patterns, you can then train yourself to recognize them in the moment and shift yourself out of them and into an altrrnate location.

I'd spend time brainstorming up some future plans for yourself. How do you want to feel? What do you intend things in your life to look like when you're clean and more balanced? What kinds of dreams do you have for yourself? I would then spend time each day aligning myself with those goals and remembering what I'm fighting for. Write these down and review them often.

I would address this spiritually. I would perhaps create a few self supporting mantras. Maybe I'd meditate. Maybe I'd use the serenity prayer. Maybe I'd have an uplifiting and inspiring song I play or sing to myself. Maybe I'd reach out each day for whatever higher power I believe in and ask for support and strength. Perhaps I would find a group that shares my beliefs and spend time in fellowship with them.

Finally, I'd choose a team of people to help me. I'd do this internally and think about the aspects of myself that give me strength in a fight like this. I would consider the aspects of myself that are weak and buddy them up in my mind with my stronger parts. I would then create an external team. I would consider people who can help me medically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. I would consider people who can gently support me and those who offer tough love. I'd seek support online in places like these for times when I am alone and need support.

Those are a few strategies I'd deploy and they are a collection of spiritual, mental, emotional and physical strategies. They also fight this in the past, the moment and the future. Take whatever resonates and feels like it might assist you on your journey. I wish you all the best and I hope you keep reaching out. We're all here for you.