One thing I have to make sure I keep in mind is that those extended periods of responsible drinking included some isolated incidents that were not responsible. Sometimes I did end up driving after I had enough to be over the limit. There were a few rough patches where I turned to alcohol because of problems in my marriage or mood swings and I would drink alone with the intent of getting drunk. I seem to have a governor on my drinking; I almost never got sick from drinking or got falling down drunk. But I would drink to the point of slurring words, slight staggering and I have had plenty of hangovers where it seemed like I might feel better if I got sick. So I only had the illusion of control. I tried to be responsible with my drinking but I had numerous failures. I got away with them as far as legal trouble goes. I had some trouble at home from it, but I always attributed that to the issues that I chose to avoid by drinking rather than the drinking itself.