I had a binge drinking problem for a couple of years after my late husband died. I did not recognize it as a problem at the time because I only drank in the weekends (Friday and Saturday) but the sheer amount I would drink was absurd. Two bottles of wine in one sitting, 8-10 malt drinks/hard ciders, etc. I never blacked out but I had a hazy memory. I wouldn’t be able to wake up if my son needed me, which was a definite problem. And I drank alone If my sister in law wasn’t available to drink with me. I would look forward to it all week.

Now I recognize that as a definite issue. I wasn’t drinking because of bipolar, but more to cope with my husband’s loss. Gradually the need to drink dropped off, especially since my SIL could no longer come up and hang out with me. Now I rarely, if ever, drink alcohol. Maybe a drink once every few months. I’ve completely lost my taste for alcohol. I only like very sweet wine, and only one glass. Maybe a hard cider here or there. I don’t drink when I go to restaurants (when they were open anyway) because my boyfriend doesn’t drink at all, so why bother? Just drives the bill up anyway.