Thanks, lena. In my case, however, it's definitely the other way round; anxiety is what drove me to drink alcohol in excess.

V.

Virgil -- I think that's quite clear from your story as it's unfolded here. Same for many of us, the difference being degrees. Still, long-term, alcohol can't be good.

Virgil as I think you know I also have anxiety disorder. I find that I do drink to self medicate to relieve the anxiety but then I have more anxiety the next day from the alcohol. It is a very viscious circle. You are not the only one.

Virgil,

While I've also wondered about not having results similar to what is shown in the book, I no longer worry about it, because I'm feeling a gradual decrease in my cravings. I don't care about the numbers anymore. If you compare yourself to others, then feel you don't 'measure up'... talk about provoking anxiety! Just let it happen without being judgemental. Reviewing the numbers is helpful to show patterns of drinking, but the numbers themselves aren't so important. Obviously, over time (who knows how long), a reduction in units would be expected just from lowered cravings. But I'm convinced the timeline is unique to the individual.

Also, life experiences like being on vacation or dealing with a sudden tragic event - there's no doubt drinking levels could be off the charts, but as long as that heavier drinking doesn't continue without subsiding, there's no reason to panic. Even "normal" people overdo it on occasion.

Winning the race isn't the goal. We just want to make it to the finish line without giving up!

Hi LaBear,

I fully appreciate that I'm not the only one and that gives me a great deal of reassurance. So, whilst ever there's someone in the same boat as me, I'm happy to sail the rough seas!

All the best,

V.

Hi Kris,

It has never been my objective to win the race; indeed, I didn't even know there was a race. And, rest assured, I have no intention of giving up - I want to cross that finishing line just like everyone else on this forum.

All the best,

V.

I didn't mean to imply there was a race - it was an ANALOGY! Actually, considering the TSM research, "rat race" might have been better!

Kris,

I presume that your choice of capital letters for 'analogy' and the exclamation mark above means that I have annoyed you. I can assure you that that was not my intention but I fear that I have failed to get my point across. So, when you said "Winning the race isn't the goal", I was simply unclear what you meant.

Thanks.

V.

No, no - I wasn't annoyed, but I was worried that I had upset you. So I wanted to make sure you knew I was just trying to use some sort of common phrase, with the intended meaning that "we'll all get there", maybe not at the same time, but we'll make it. And the main point here is to cheer each other on, and I know that's what you and I both want. My response was really meant more jokingly, to keep things light, thus the "rat race" thing. Sorry if anything was taken in the wrong way. No harm done.

Hi Kris,

That's great. I'm pleased that we've sorted that one out. I feel much better now.

All the very best to you.

V.