[winternett]

Sounds like you're compensating for a lack of sleep with alcohol. I notice that when I'm awake for really long stretches that only stimulants or depressants offer reward to the brain (I.e. Coffee, alcohol, no-doze, ambien, crack, etc). Once dependences (even though they may not be addictions) become a habit, it begins to affect moods and health in the long run. Mind you, I'm not a doctor... But I would prescribe more sleep and less drinking if I played one on TV. Har.

[dkarl]

I've noticed that whenever I'm shutting off for any reason (depression, escape from stress, or simply lack of sleep) drinking beer perks me up and helps me stay functional the whole evening just like coffee does, but in a much more pleasant way. It's tough to abstain from a simple solution like that and just get the needed R&R instead. The downside is that the next day I'm almost as tired as if I had drunk coffee all evening and tossed and turned all night.