Ditto, bb. I would have to say 2 to 3 years ago is when it stopped doing what I liked about it and life got worse fast. Everything seemed to be cool and under control then all of the sudden I was chasing the dragon and trying to maintain that initial 2-3 beer buzz with 4-5-6 or more throughout the night. I was slamming beers in my garage, like I would pretend to go out there and get one but I would slam one then come inside with one and "see, just one beer, no biggie." Even when I tried to maintain this past year I could go a day here and there with only two at the bar after work but in my head I just wanted more and eventually one day I would tell myself just 2 at the bar after work then on my way home I would stop at another bar for 2 more, or the liquor store and then the kids would go to bed and I would have to run to the store and have some more and I would be noticeably drunk.
If you have to TRY to maintain or control your drinking, you shouldn't be drinking anymore.