Other people's experiences are pretty much irrelevant when you consider moderation. Either you personally can do it or you cant and if it is something that is still a possibility in your mind then you probably have to try it for yourself and find out whether it will work.

Try and moderate your drinking. See if it works or not.

If nothing else it will give you some extra information about your drinking and whether you have control over it. The nature of alcoholism means that alcoholics have pretty much zero chance of moderation as the very definition is of being unable to control how much you drink once you start.

If you are not convinced you are an alcoholic then trying moderation will give you information that might help you to decide.

You know, did you decide if you are an alki or not? THis conversation is confusing-as I would say if you are a confirmed alcoholic moderation does not work.

Are you trying to see if you are just a heavy drinker?

Bethmach,
One of the things that I have investigated is the Sinclair method. There's a whole book about it (which I own and haven't read, just like so many others on my bookshelf) but just google it and see what you think. I live in a smallish midwestern town and couldn't find any doctors or counselors who knew anything about it or were even willing to discuss it with me (which totally pissed me off), but you may have better luck. Especially if you were a normal drinker for 20 years. I wasn't a daily drinker until 5-6 years ago, but looking back I almost always drank alcoholically when I did before that, starting in my teens.

Beth...your telling MY story. I was a non drinker...then social drinker...then occasional binger....then in my 40's became a drunk. Tried "moderation management" for 12 years until I threw in the towel and decided abstinence was MY only hope.

I truely believe alcohol becomes a poison for some women. Affecting us negatively in a myriad of ways. Agree with KK then if your answer is NO...you may need help. I did...got it and feel better than I have in YEARS!!!

Question: Is alcohol really that important in your life? Don't kid yourself too much. Be honest ... and you will have your answer.

I tried limiting the number of drinks I had to just one or two and it worked for a while. In fact, I tried that a number of times. But sooner or later, it always ended up with me getting totally sloshed. It's nothing or everything for me and I've learned what everything gets me, so for me it's nothing!!!
I'm sure that there must be some people who can manage it, but I bet they're in the minority.
Good luck!! I hope you're one of the ones who can do it!!! (((((Hugs)))))

Beth, I think LindaJean went to the heart of it when she said, "Too many people have died trying to control their drinking." This is said in recovery circles not to patronise, but to really get to the nub of the consequences of alcoholism.

Daily drinking is a big deal. Obviously whether you drink a little or a lot on a dialy basis, that's way more than the health authorities recommend and is hazadous for you.

I know you may get sick of hearing this suggestion, but I really would stick you head into a dozen AA meetings, simply listen to what the speakers say and look for the "similarities not the differences". See whether you hear you story in part or in whole from the speakers - and your emotional life too. Also, grab some AA pamphlets and get an idea of the whole thing and maybe more of an idea of yourself. You absolutaly have nothing to lose by doing this - just a small amount of time in the scheme of things on a life threatening issue.. You have identified yourself that there is a problem, that these are not "normal" patterns of drinkers who are not alcoholics. Explore AA as an option and if you don't like it, you can exit stage left and try other options. Which ever path you take, I hope it works for you.