Stopping the cycle
 

Hello everyone!
I'm pretty new to the forums here so I hope I'm posting this in the right place. I've been thinking a lot lately about how my problem developed when I was younger and continued out of control for far too long.
I've been veering between embarrassment and anger at myself but I've also spent a lot of time (probably unfairly) blaming my family. Along the lines of they should have stopped me going places, seeing certain people and that they should have given me a good talking to about the dangers/consequences of drinking too much when I was a teenager. I grew up within a heavy drinking culture so it was all a 'normal ' rite of passage to them.
So now I have a young son and I'm going to try to change the pattern.
I was wondering if anyone had similar thoughts about their children/teens and if you have any advice for me?

I used to blame my parents for many of my faults and mishaps.
I now realise that they were only doing the best job that they could.
Today I try and set a good sober example for my children.
But, sometimes my faults and foibles get in the way.

Like most parents, I want the best for my children.
So, I do the best that I can.
As a sober dad, that's not too bad.
This dad, drinking, would be a disaster.

"If you can’t be a good example, then you’ll just have to be a horrible warning."
~ Catherine Aird