Wow, thank you for all the encouragement and perspective.
@ NoFireWater, CarolD and hypochondriac, thanks for your book suggestions!
@ MrsKing: its good to know there are other young people here who saw where drinking was leading and want to stop for good!
@ MightyMung: thanks so much for your post, I can certainly relate to lots of your points! the sad thing is I had many hobbies and interests before I started drinking but gradually drinking began to take precedence. I 100% agree with you about how much more clearly you can concentrate when you are sober, its fantastic, and i really can't afford to be in an alcohol haze and maintain good grades! Do you go to AA meetings?