I can relate. Especially the early drinking. I grew up in a wine region and having beer or whine was normal. Also having some liquor with food was. When I was 10 I loved to eat the choclate with alcohol in it and I would eat the whole box. My grandmother would give me beer with dinner. I learned very early that I can be in social situations where people like me when I just drink enough. From there on I laways drunk. Especially I drunk to get rid of stress, to forget about things and of course when I was nervous. I somehow got my PhD moved through countries without even considering being an alcoholic, until somebody about 5 years ago told me right in my face: you are an alcoholic. It clicked, still took me 3 years to find my way. I stopped completly february 26th 2011. And I am very grateful I have still things left.
Since I stopped I gradually start building a new life, finding new friends and not to ever touch alcohol again.