Here's my experience sinking.
I work long hours in a reasonably stressful job . For about 15 years when I come home I have 3-4 beers every worknight . On a Saturday I will have at least 8 . I've done this to relieve stress and I like a drink . I have to read 0.0 blood alcohol level at 6a.m. Every work morning as a job requirement and am tested every day . So a problem with drinking ? Don't think so .
For some time I've felt quite drained , haven't slept well , get quite irritable at work , also the small amounts of alcohol I've been drinking have been effecting me quite a lot more recently and I haven't been processing them well . 4 beers and I'm feeling drunk . 8 beers and I'm waking up with a hangover and missing bits of the night before .
So even though I drink every night I don't class myself as an alcoholic , but I started to wonder about the cumulative effect of drinking every day for 15 years .
So three weeks ago I decided to stop and just have a couple on a sat night . Within days I was sleeping better , waking up refreshed . My attitude improved at work , I felt happier and less stressed . I had more energy . When I did have 5 beers on the sat nights I processed it much better , didn't feel drunk and woke up fine .
I don't think I was an alcoholic , and possibly your not either , but drinking every day , I'm done with that . I thought it was helping my attitude , it was the beer why I needed the beer .