I'll be 3 years sober in May. Like smoking, one day I just said no more (however this was after making the switch to tequila only, no yummy bourbon or wine, as I felt it would help me taper off).
I also had to friends that were bad and enablers, I cut them out of my life.
Clarity, focus energy, lowered blood pressure (mine goes thru the fucking roof when I drink) lost weight/got ripped, not tired at the gym, can skate more/whenever the homies txt - saves.so.much.money (money I put into getting my bloodwork done and levels adjusted).
I miss it when I'm bored and socializing (all my drinking friends all but dropped off, never get invites out anymore, fuck them anyway
I drank when bored so I tried to fill those gaps....I'd go skate or play more games, read, do a bit more work, whatever instead of drinking and watching fucking shows....I drank, varying amounts 6pm - 10pm that was the window (I wasn't cracking box wine at 2pm until the pandemic, full bottles of everything were going down too easy that's what pushed me to stop - I
Boredom and anxiety, it helped me GET to sleep but the sleep was shit. I, too, use sleepy time tea (extra, with valerian) as well as these:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BWPKRMV2?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details, all in addition to some doctor prescribed theanine mixes...oh and I also love LOVE caffeine (so even more anxiety); I still do coffee and green tea, but usually for pre-workouts (ditched energy drinks and pre-workout supps) and not first thing in the morning.
It's hard, but keep at it you can do it - it's takes massive balls to admit there is a problem, let alone come on here and voice that out in the open. If *I* can do it, you can too. Go you - I am proud of you.