John,
The older guys in my fraternity likened me to Dr. Jekyll and Mr Hyde, the active ingredient was alcohol. Drinking changes my personality and I can't safely control the amount I drink. I have known this since I was about 19 yrs old. I was really an alcoholic at age 14 when I started drinking. I have tried everything to avoid the truth. I got in really great shape, made really good money, got married. Nothing has changed. At 44 yrs old, I still drink in excess and become a person I don't like. Fortunately, by the grace of God I never became physically addicted to alcohol. This however, makes me no less of an alcoholic.
If you don't like person you become when you drink you should stop.
TC