Welcome benc!
Glad you're here and your drinking sounds similar to mine including making an @ss out of myself.
You are young and intelligent to make the decision to toss the booze. It took me several decades to do so and I lost many jobs, relationships, etc.
There's a great world out there being sober and having a handle on your life. PLUS! There's a great thread for those of us that gave up drinking this month. Please join us in the December Class:
http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/...-part-2-a.html