Katie, it's good you have noticed that your attitude about drinking changed and that it's not in your best interest to drink and skip out on work.

I almost always preferred to drink alone. Like you I would escape by drinking until I passed out. It made the real world just go away for a awhile.

I think most people have a need to sometimes take a break from reality. People escape with tv or other hobbies like art or something. Do you have something else that would "take you away" for awhile? Like I said everybody needs a break but how we take the break is important. What about a new hobby or something. I can get lost when I paint because I get so into the art that I don't think about the world.

You mentioned that you have just started living alone--are you isolating yourself too much? Are you able to get enough time with people in your life?