I applaud you for your authenticity and bravery to be so raw about your experience.

I want to comment not as others have done to share how they identify and/or give suggestions on ways to overcome or how to deal with the drinking .

I wonder if as many have suggested it’s a slippery slope, if you’re mentally truly open to their perspective or when you read it: do you explain it away.

“They’re not quite me.”

“Yeah but I’m different”

“No but Im in control”

All I wanted to say is: listen to how you react and what behavior you choose to take in the coming days. Then ask yourself: why did I ask for others opinions and what did the vast majority say? Were you unclear in your writing? If not, why do you not accept their advice?

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We all seek validation. I feel so certain you need the voices that mimic how you feel and concluded it’s all okay. We need to hear what we want to hear.

Be careful. Strive for objectivity and it’s not easy. We all self-justify.

This was a good article and I hope others learn from this. But mostly—I hope you’ll go ask a few colleagues or medical professionals their opinion of you: in person. How do they align with what you read in your comments?

Keep well! You’re one smart cookie! Protect that smart beautiful body of yours!!