Social problems. I drank to fit in and be part of the party. Like so many others I felt like I did not belong. Drinking made me lose that feeling. I never had friends growing up (long story) so when I left home I had no idea how to act in social situations. I could not go to a party without getting trashed on booze and drugs. I embarrassed myself in public enough I just started to drink at home, alone. It made me forget being lonely. It was hard to face the reasons for my drinking. But I finally did.