Drinking too Much is a Logical Response to Being Alive in the '20s

If you need help to stop the pain, you’re not alone.

I drank because being alive is painful. Because alcohol was pushed on me. Because beer tastes good. Because adverts led me to believe the wine was synonymous with contentment. Because I come from a long line of alcoholics. Because I was bored. Because I was exhausted. Because I was overwhelmed. Because my boyfriend was an asshole. Because I felt ugly. Because I was getting old. Because I wanted to dance. Because I was afraid of death.

I drank for so many different reasons, and they all made perfect sense.

So why did I get sober? And why did I start writing to encourage other people to do the same? I got sober because I realised that drinking was not solving any of my problems. That it was making many of them worse. Staying up all night drinking made me more exhausted. Acting like a jerk made me hate myself harder. Heavy drinking brings death even closer.

You may have the desire to be sober before you understand why you drink. That's wha…