Over the years, I have had many times when I thought that I was drinking
too much or that I should really take a break from drinking. I tried several
times to stop drinking. I have even gone for a couple weeks or months without
drinking (although, even during those times of “not drinking,” I would sneak in
a glass of wine here and there and feel super proud of myself that I had such
restraint).
But sure enough, while on my self-imposed drinking hiatus, I’d think, “Why
am I being so restrictive? I don’t need to be so all-or-nothing about alcohol.
I can have a glass of wine with dinner.” Or I’d rationalize my drinking with, “In Europe they have a glass of
wine with lunch and dinner. If I were in Europe I wouldn’t even be second
guessing how much wine I drink. Our views on alcohol are so uptight in North
American.”
So I’d start drinking again.
