Have had long periods where I haven't drunk ( like a year+). Since the marriage split up 4 years ago, I found a strong reliance build up due to the old "I need it to make me feel better". As I have gained financial strength and feel more secure in life generally, the NEED has decreased. I went to Niue recently where the cost of drinking is very high, I had little cash and had 3 beers during the week. Watched the dependancy fade away. I want my teenage sons to live through their challenging years of peer pressure and if my not drinking can help then it is the change I want for our future. My boys