Hey just wanted to discuss how everyone else drinks. I only drink about once a week usually but when I do I go well over my limit where I lose the thinking process. I have stuff I am sad about so I know why I am doing it. I just want to forget. But I am doing stuff I shouldn't. I need to stop! I hate myself the next day.

Yeah, by the sounds of it, you better knock it on the head at this stage before you get to the point where you're drinking every night to forget your problems.

I've been basically doing what you're doing every night, although I find I have to drink more and more, which is a bit concerning (i.e. I don't get to the point of falling over drunk anymore).

I'm not really in a good place in my head lately.

But, enough about me. Basically, let's not become alcoholics.

When you're having your weekly bevy, are you out at bars with friends? Friends can be fucking idiots when it comes to shit like this b/c for some reason everyone seems to be convinced that the only way to have fun is to get wrecked. However, there's no reason why you can't drink, but you've got to be really disciplined about it and take it easy. If you don't know where to stop, or at least take a break, your best bet is to alternate hard and soft drinks. Avoid cocktails. Don't drink double measures. Never do shots. And really take your time over each drink and enjoy it. If you do all of that, you'll give your body more time to process the alcohol you're getting and you'll be delaying your arrival at the point of hideous drunkenness. Given enough time, you'll still get there but it'll take way longer and there's a good chance the bars will have closed by that point. So it's a win.

Tbh, I don't know what else to tell you. All of the above is common sense, but I don't want to stop so it's probably a bit rich for me to be telling you to.

Thanks for replying Black Mambo. I really appreciate it. I live in Ireland so drinking is so part of the culture. I just don't think properly after a few pints. I am going to try your advice and alternate between a pint and orange juice. I drink pretty fast so I guess my body and brain doesn't know what hit it.

Maybe you could stick to shandies for the first few, so that way while not getting slaughtered you don't feel as if you look the odd one out, then later on maybe have a "real" pint or two so you don't feel you're depriving yourself.

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"... I don't simply wash my hair, I make love to my hair, it is a process and it shows..."

It can get way worse than the pattern you mention, but you're right to nip it in the bud. I concur with what everyone else has said, start out slower and pace things, alcohol consumption has this way of accelerating away and it makes a big difference if you don't hit the bar hard straight away or try to 'catch up' if people are always out.

Maybe try just doing one or two big nights without drinking at all. Even if you can't manage it regularly it shows you can do it. Also you might find that although it takes you a bit longer to get into the night, a lot of the relaxation you attributed to alcohol is psychosomatic and you get into the flow of the evening anyway.

It's generally pretty great to be amongst the least drunk people at the end of the night.

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