Originally Posted by chordcowboy

Great post again and I identify very much.

Now I honestly don't want to diminish the role of personal responsibility in our choices around alcohol at all, but...

...I also think it is worth remembering that everyday tens of thousands of highly paid marketing execs and advertisers commit their working lives (and massive budgets) to getting people to drink alcohol, smoke cigarettes etc. The addictive and destructive qualities of are each well known to say the least, yet the promotion and sale is relentless. They only have to get us to take the first drink or smoke because we will do the rest!!! The success of these products relies in large part on their addictive qualities.

Now, really, I am not saying it is all their fault - we are most certainly in charge of our destinies on this stuff. But most of us started our drinking before we had a massive amount of life experience and we were pretty green and vulnerable to the grip of alcohol. When we are beating ourselves up about previous behaviours, personally, I think just a little mitigation is allowed - a bit of forgiveness. I don't think most of us would have done the worst things we have done if it weren't for alcohol.

I say this because, for me, self-recrimination is not a useful activity, even though I could do it all day long if I am not careful!

I really do love your attitude though and your focus on the future. Try to be compassionate to yourself as you go.

CC