I use alcohol like I use food. I drink/eat when I'm up, when I'm down, and when I'm stable. When I feel great, I use it to celebrate. When I feel awful, I use it to feel better. I'm pretty good about sticking to a couple glasses of wine (or, alternatively, a cocktail or two) - I don't drink enough, most of the time, to feel it in the morning or even get more than a mild buzz.

I also use it as a social crutch when I'm depressed and have to go out.