[frossie]

It sounds like you are trying to figure out if you have an addiction problem or a lifestyle problem.

So, decide not to drink alcohol for 4 weeks starting today. If you can't manage it, you will know the former is the problem. If you can, you will have made a great start to addressing the latter.

[iamanonymous]

I've done this before with mostly success. However, once I've passed the 4 week mark, I slide back into old habits.

[Zolt]

Since you have done it for four weeks, would you consider trying it for six months or even a year?

It sounds like we have similar work responsibilities. I too am married. Up until June of this year I would drink a few glasses of wine and/or cranberry and vodka each night “to relax”. In June I was asking myself why am I drinking several nights a week. I wondered what it would be like to never drink alcohol again. So I quit. The only exception was during a Caribbean cruise. I don’t regret drinking it then and may consider it for future vacations.

For me, I find myself as a leader at the office, at home and at church. Not having alcohol is also consistent with my new minimalist lifestyle and consistent with my mindset that I don’t need everything I want.

The part I miss drinking the most, I my lack of variety on beverages while eating dinner.

Best of luck to you, hopefully you will find out you are not addicted.

[luckystrike]

You seem to have the will power if you can hold off for 4 weeks.

Have you tried using a reward strategy like I would only drink and chill out after a couple of days when task X is finished? Gradually you can then reduce your drinking days from 4 per week to 1 (or zero).

IMO, it is very difficult to get off alcohol or any other addiction suddenly. It is more effective to tone it down gradually.

[EdiX]

Using an addictive substance as a reward can be a great way to cement addiction, I suggest not doing it.

[luckystrike]

Hmm, perhaps it could. The strategy I was trying to suggest is to try and get progressively elongated stretches of time when the person would not have alcohol. It slowly can help wean off the addiction.

But at the end of the day, if it is not working for someone, (s)he would have to find another way.

[dotpavan]

is the sliding back due to the need to do "something to wind down" or to get some buzz. If former, cooking and gardening have proven to be therapeutic to me, if later, then it is addiction.

edit- spell