Rethinking Alcohol: Can Heavy Drinkers Learn To Cut Back?

[backscatter712]

22. I never got to the point where I got in trouble from drinking...

...but of course, I've been to college, so there have been times in my life where I drank quite a bit.

Since then, I did a similar thing as you did, Trajan. I cut back to a goal of two standard drinks a day, and usually, I meet that goal. So that puts me in that group of people that enjoys a glass of wine with dinner, or a beer after work, but don't let it get out of control.

In my system, I give myself permission to go on a "bender" every few weeks or so, say if I'm invited to a party, or I'm celebrating something. I plan ahead to do it safely, either doing it at home, or having a plan to stay the night with a friend to avoid driving, that sort of thing. When I go on a bender, I let myself have three or four drinks in an evening, and these days, I instinctually pace myself, by eating or drinking water, because I too don't like being completely smashed.

It's something that works for me.