I knew that your situation was more complicated, but you should definitely try. You’re young, there’s hope for you.
In truth I don’t drink *that* much. It’s just the physical need that’s the problem. I’m not a binge drinker, at least not very often. I don’t get hammered very often like I used to, now it’s just that I need a couple drinks to calm my nerves. I take a shot in the morning to get moving, another shot or 2 at lunch time, and then 2 or 3 shots at night. (This is less than it used to be, I’m not saying I never party but getting actually drunk is more of a once a week thing). It’s almost like I use it as medicine for my nerves. In fact I would even venture to say my dependence on alcohol has more to do with anxiety than it does an actual physical addiction to the alcohol, as I’ve NEVER (even at my worst… And I know this is strange to say but it’s only my addiction that’s at it’s worst right now, my drinking isn’t all that crazy, it’s just that what little bit I need, well I NEED it) had tremors or shakes or even irritability when I don’t drink. I just start to get really nervous. My usual routine now is to have a drink or two, then smoke small amounts of pot. It seems to be working for the most part, but replacing the alcohol completely with pot would be even better but right now smoking without having a drink (and one or two generally does seem to be enough) within the last few hours of smoking gives me bad anxiety.