I got worried about my drinking at one point, and stopped cold turkey for a year. It wasn't difficult at all, so I went back to drinking normally.

The other night I was out to dinner with friends, and realized four of the stories I told had drinking as an important element in them.

But nowadays, that's because I haven't really grokked that my tolerance for alcohol is not what it once was, and four (high ABV) beers can black me out. At a friend's memorial service at a micro brewery, I made agreements to do several things, that I didn't recall the next day.

I think I need to stick to my single malt whisky, and not do the beer thing. I have no idea what my beer tolerance is anymore... I stopped drinking it entirely when I did keto 6 years ago, and I think it just hits me different now.

You are a good person with a good heart and empathy for others. Alcohol seems to have impeded your natural personality at key moments. I hope this year is more gentle to you, and gives you time to find your center and stability again. Hugs...