I’ve perused this thread on a few occasions when feeling particularly down on myself for my alcohol abuse. I’m probably straddling at least one if not both sides of the problem drinker/alcoholic line. Had a long conversation with a coworker earlier this week about his journey to 18 months of sobriety and it was really inspiring. I related to a lot of his issues, if not the quantity he was drinking, and it made me want to feel that way instead of the way I’ve felt for too much of the last 20 years. After drinking too much and blacking out on the last night of a work trip that was the culmination of a year’s worth of work, and lots of coping drinking along the way, I’ve decided to give it a shot. I’m on day 5, dreading the difficult path ahead and feeling lots of guilt and shame about my history with alcohol and all the terrible situations that I’ve caused because of not being able to control my consumption. But I’m also excited and hopeful for what will hopefully be a better next chapter. Thanks for all of you that have contributed to this thread. Wish me strength and luck.