My history with drink is an odd one. In my early 20s, I used to go out with a friend about once a month, have 3 pints, and be unable to walk in a straight line going home. The occasional binge with a colleague while working away (and work was paying) but nothing untoward. Then I got involved with someone who came from a drinking family. Drinking every night became the norm. And as the relationship deteriorated (she suffered from stress and depression, therefore so did I, by proxy) it just became a way of getting through every night.
We separated, and I kept up the habit. But after a while, decided to do 'dry during the week' (with occasional exceptions when working away or socialising.) That went on until my ex boss dumped someone else's job on me (one I hated, and wasn't qualified to do) and told me it took priority over my existing job, which I was still supposed to be doing as well. But if I had to let him down looking after his databases or writing his reports, or let down a customer I'd looked after for 25 years, it was the customer I had to let down. And I wasn't even allowed to tell them why. Back to drinking every day again, while that was going on.
That situation eventually went away (as did that boss) so I went back to 'dry during the week.' Then lockdown kicked in, and even though I wasn't furloughed, every day felt the same. We're 'socially distancing' now, and have a lot more freedom. I think most of us struggled to get through actual lockdown, and did whatever it took to get us through each day.
But come Friday night, I can't wait to pop open a cold beer. And on a night out on the town, about a dozen times a year, I still plan to be knocking them back like I have been for years.
I've noticed that, rather like obesity, there's a 'you brought this on yourself' mentality out there in the general public. Jokes like "Johnny has 3 bags of sweets, and someone gives him another 2 bags of sweets. What does Johnny have? Johnny has diabetes." But as with obesity, genetics play a significant role, and if Johnny wasn't susceptible to diabetes, he could eat as many sweets as he liked. You're often being judged by people who've never even faced the challenge.
And yes, they are a fantastically supportive bunch, here. I've seen almost no negativity. I'm used to the kind of forum where everyone's arguing. Even when people disagree, it seems to stay polite, here.
You take care, too.