Alcohol is legally available and engrained within the fabric of English/British culture, so from that regard then staying off booze may be considered very difficult comparing to other drugs in the sense that the illegality means that if you stop hanging around dealers you can stay away. Also I guess the reality is that if you're an alcoholic then it's the first drink that does all of the damage, so you gotta know that you're an alkie and be absolutely rigid in that knowledge and acceptance or else you're going to take that first drink sooner or later, or just be depressed and miserable. Staying sober takes a complete overhaul of your life in my experience, and also a great deal of acceptance. You gonna have to totally change your expectations of nights out, parties, and what you can expect. For me then I had to know without doubt that I'm an alcoholic and where that first drink would take me. If I had any notion of moderation then it would be so easy to go back drinking again, everybody drinks pretty much and getting blackout drunk is not unusual for a night out for many in England. It's often said that if you can't remember it then it must have been a good night.
However... for me then it was the fact that I would drink as soon as I woke up that set me apart and made me undeniably an alcoholic. I tried many times to limit myself to only a session on a friday night for example, only to be drinking at 7.00am from the cans I'd put aside and nailing super strength outside the shop at 7.30am totally and utterly consumed by the alcohol in my system. I knew I was an alcoholic and that's the difference.
For me then i stay down to earth in relation alcohol and drugs, I don't have a problem with them and only got sober because I'm an alcoholic. if I wasn't then i would be mashing it up. For most people then a friday night P*ss up ends friday night, for me it wouldn't and it would totally destroy my life.
I think that regardless how horrendous my comedowns were then it wouldn never have deterred me for long until I hot my rock bottom and was beaten by booze. From then it's daily mantenance but crucially I have to accept that I'm an alcoholic. Without that acceptance then i wouldn't stand a chance being 25 male and living in UK. I had to change my life 100%. In my experience then the only way you're going to be able to stay sober in England is by changing your life totally, most aren't willing to do this and consequently stay stuck in the cycle, maybe get sober when things get unbearable years later. for me then I hit my bottom at 23. Also for me then my drug use sped my process up to and I know that I couldn't not do drugs when i drank as it would seem like the natural thing to do and i would end up buying Coke and pills and just always looking to take it to the max. I know that would never change and I was sick of it all.
for me then coming off anything isn't going to be pleasant but it's incredible how quicly those meoires will fade and you'll be laughing about it with mates a few days later as it's part of the deal. Bang back on it again the following weekend. For me then it's all really crucial that i know without doubt that I'm an alcoholic at the base level, I can't comment on any country but i know the reality of england and drinking culture. It certainly is more than giving up drinking, it's changing your whole life or your gonna take that first drink again sooner or later down the line in my experieice from what I've witnessed in my own experience and also knowing how it works in UK.
I certainly ain't high and mighty and try to be the other way. The thing is then you may have a good message but if people don't listen to it because they think you're a arrogant tw*t then it serves no purpose.
I just try speak my truth and if people relate then great.
All The Best