

I set two limits and they have worked fairly well in my own life:

1) No more than two reasonably sized drinks in a day.

2) Never drink alone.

I nurse those drinks along and savor each tiny sip. It has worked well for
over ten years and prevented ramping up into anything further. A suggested
third rule that has grown on me is:

3) Drink only to amplify joyful occasions never to drown sorrowful ones.

It may not be for everyone however perhaps this will help some. Godspeed.

------
La-ang
Change your social circle and engage in a radical (to you) sport that requires
lots of stamina and endurance (Muay Thai). In short, the lifestyle you have
loves conjuncting with alcohol. Sports are a major player. Not only the body
gets hammered but the mind as well. I used the same method before to quit
smoking. Even if you will show up at social events you won't have the same
longing for Booz as you used to. I firmly believe this apply to the general
public. Athletes in general do not drink as much as the average joe ( If they
do at all). It's funny how people want an easy not so harsh solution to their
problems, because there simply isn't. Once the elephant in the room starts
ballooning you need to set your ego aside and admit you need change; major
change.

~~~
ativzzz
I second this one. It is difficult to just change a habit on a whim. A high
intensity sport (like a martial art) requires changing lifestyle habits if you
really want to see serious progress.

~~~
La-ang
You missed my last point. It's not meant to be easy.

------
ilaksh
I think I have a different view on this than most people here.

It seems that there is a tendency to simply suggest that anyone who does
drinks to excess sometimes is an alcoholic and therefore is a special case who
cannot drink.

What I observe is that most (not only a special few) people who drink have
times where they over-do it and it usually has significant negative
consequences in those cases.

In my opinion people want to blame the individual because they love alcohol
and don't want 