omg i completely know how you feel...i was never exposed to alcohol before freshman year of college..i swore I would never drink buuut my room mate had her first drink and told me how much fun she had getting drunk and before I knew it 2 months into my freshman of college year all I cared about was what was on the party list the next weekend..which frat house was having the next keg party, got in with a bad crowd, my grades too started slipping and i felt tired ALL THE TIME, i'd go out partying all weekend, have a 9am class monday and after no sleep you basically sleep walk to class..dont pay attention and then come back to your dorm and pass out the rest of the afternoon..its a really bad habit to get into, since first semester of freshman year i've cleaned up my act, i'm still paying for that ONE semester that I decided to have a good time, i've transferred back home after my 2nd year away from home and am so much more focused on my studies and actually taking things more seriously...i still have a drink or two maybe once a week(which now i can do LEGALLY haha) but i do NOT get completely wasted like I had before(WORST feeling ever, idk why it took me so long to go through this phase)....just pick yourself up before you get too carried away, you'll end up regretting it..yea I had a blast freshman year..i still wouldn't change it bc it was nice to get all that crazyness out of my system, but I wish I had been more responsible about it all and learned how to balance having a good time and studying...though now that i only have a drink or two during the week i'm MUCH more focused and way more energetic...alcohol is the devil seriously

Try hypnosis, my step mum drank for 24 yrs and quit 3 months ago after 3 sessions.

if you find yourself unable to control how much you drink, and it causes problems for you, it is possible you might have a bigger problem. If you have tried numerous times to have just "one", and then find yourself wasted hours later, have you ever tried to not drink when you go out? Tell yourself, "I'm not going to drink tonight." Then if you go out with friends, see what happens. Are you able to not drink or does the urge overcome your will to stay sober that night? Think about these things, and its good you have decided to abstain. There is one thing I do know, alcohol can't cause any problems if you don't drink any!

Thanks for the replies, and suggestions! It's been a couple of weeks, and I had been surprised after only 4 (tough) days to find that my brain seemed to be functioning better than it has in maybe 2 years it seems!

Alas there have been 2 or 3 nights when I resigned myself to have a couple of drinks, which turned into shots after work and I felt terrible and embarrassed for myself. But, it just proves to me that it IS a problem that I have to work on consciously.

At this time there can be no compromise between not drinking at all, and getting myself plastered. I just have to start fresh each day, and remember how good I've felt after getting a solid night of sleep, and feeling more healthful and energetic again!

What has helped is when I get off of work (I work at a club) I will sit down with my co-workers and drink hot tea, and water, or tomato juice, just to feel like I'm having a drink, instead of forcing myself to leave while everyone hangs out. I've found that tomato juice does help curb the craving for alcohol, somewhat. I'd read that somewhere on line. But I'd also read it is not a good idea to substitute sugary stuff, like drinking lots of fruit juice.

wow...working at a club would make this hard for you, but great job..keep it up!

wow...working at a club would make this hard for you, but great job..keep it up!

IMO you are kind of playing Russian Roulette by staying around with your friends after work...The job will be hard enough on you but temptations like that are adding to your problem...

I am well aware of this addiction coming from a family who knew this well...I would strongly suggest to give yourself some time...If you want to continue working there then don't make it harder on yourself and stay around late...You seem to have recognized this weakness in your genes now learn from it....You are doing great....Now baby yourself and try and stay away from harms way....It is big....Bigger than most people know....I sure wish you well...

Take care,
Caroline