Cubs, I say just venting it until you're bored with the topic and stick with your own plans along the way. Keeping other thigns to do in life is the way to go. even if you look at it from a prgamatic point of view, one day of "controlled" drinking is one day you could have been immersing yourself in some other worthwhile activity, after who knows how long it was pre-em,pted by drinking. Most people would agree that such control is a fantasy that is never going to work. It makes sense that you would not want to put an end to things with the old friend, but his shortsightedness is bound to get in your way further down the road if he doesn't arrive at the same page with you. You may have to vent straight in his direction eventually and tell him to face the music. Telling someone that their conviction is a mere phase is not showing enough respect, and I don't know how much patience I would have. Stuff that!