Exiled in a kilt

I can relate to that Kilt. As far as relationships go, I once met a woman that was surprised when I kissed her. She said that she hadn't been kissed while sober in a very long time. I had to wonder about that. Its funny how time flies in those circumstances you described.

I never drank as much as you do, but there was a time I drank too much. Probably when I was around your age. Geez, Kilt, this is just my advice, take it or leave it. But you've got to get control of it. It sounds like it's got control of you. First it has had an impact on your personal life as you point out. Second over time it will take its toll on your body: weight, blood pressure, liver. I don't know if you saw when I posted a couple of years ago that i was diagnosed with fatty liver, a relatively mild problem as problems go, but it was the fore runner to more serious stuff. I used to like to have one or two glasses of wine or bottles of beer per night, but I was told to even cut back from that. Now I'm older, so you probably got some time, but still ten beers in one night is a **** load for anyone. I don't want to be preachy, so I'll just wish you the best.

I'll avoid the sermon and just give you an example. A sergeant in the Air Force got divorced and a nasty custody battle was ongoing. He had an alcohol problem and after a time seemed to have it under control. He made promotion, was secure on flying status and wonder of wonders got custody of his kid. He went out with one of the aircrew members to celebrate. He lost everything that night when he was pulled over for drinking while driving. His harpy of a wife still called every year to see if he got promoted again so she could go back to court for more child support. I believe you're a good man but alcohol doesnt care whose life it ruins. Will be thinking about you. And maybe some of my prayers may help.

It really is an issue with binge drinking. For example over Xmas/New Year I didnt have a single drink and didnt particularly miss it.

Regarding the points Virg raised about my health. I have a beer gut & am probably about 30lbs heavier than I should be. My blood pressure has always been too high, in fact when I was going through the process for emigrating my blood pressure almost stopped me getting accepted - they had to use a larger cuff to get it to acceptable levels.

I know at times I can give the impression that I have things together, but at times I am a gibbering, insecure wreck

Kilt, you need a good friend close by that will help you out, keep an eye on you, tell you the things you might not want to hear. (Actually around my house it's called a wife. ) Lots of men, including myself, would probably self destruct if we didn't have a guide. If you ever want to bounce anything off me, feel free.

Did I mention I had a dream about you last night? You were having a party at your house and me and some pleople came knocking on the door, a girl answered and I asked for Kilted and she said come in he's fixing the sink and there you were under some cabinets fixing something. Everyone else was playing cards and drinking. That has nothing to do with anything but I thought you'd find it funny. I remember back when I used to go out all the time. There were times that I had to question my drinking habits I remember many times just drinking to drink. I have no advice because quite honestly I still like my drink (just not as much or as often as I used too) but like Virgie said if you want somebody to listen I'm pretty good at it.

Well Kilted, if it's any consolation you'd be a lightweight in Glasgow

But seriously, if you think you've got a problem, and it sounds as though you're acknowledging that, then there are many places you can go to get help. But it's a difficult step. Perhaps you drink to fill another gap in your life? We often do things to extremes to compensate for something else. Maybe introspection is the right place for you right now. Figure out what's driving the drink and work on that.

I wish you the best, Fifth.

Sounds like the drink culture of Britain and Ireland hasnt left your system. If its any consolation... That happens to most people i know... but then i come from a nation of drinkers. I'm not a big drinker, and would very rarely drink, but once i go out with friends and i an enjoying myself i end up drinking a lot more than i intend to and get a bit merry... not stociously drunk... that only ever happened to me once... just a bit merry.
Just incase everyone thinks i am, I'm not justifying drinking alot...I dont agree with binge drinking, but binge drinking here and binge drinking in the states and canada are probably two different things.

don't go to the pub at all. that way you won't stay longer than you intended

That is intereting Niamh you mention the drinking of the British and Irish. I'm no expert, but I have noticed that the drinking seems more so in your cultures than ours or elsewhere that I'm familiar. Actually England used to have a reputation of being one of the lesser alcohol abusing cultures for most of the 20th century, but I think something has changed in the last twenty years or so. At least this current generation. Of course that's just an observation on my part and things I've picked up from reading. Please don't take that as based on any real knowledge.