I have been battling with alcoholism since I was 15 & I am 39 now. I have done rally good recently like not drinking at all over Xmas & New Year when that was never possible before. I have managed to not drink for months & months at a time.

But, recently I have had a relationship breakdown & I had a drink. It's like since I can remember I have used alcohol as a coping mechanism when something bad has happened. It like there's a switch in me that says drink it will make you cope.

I am strong enough to go without alcohol I have proved that over Xmas. My gf said if I had a drink over Xmas then it would be over, harsh but it worked so how can I try to stop this ingrained mental cycle of feeling emotions & then drinking to try to numb them?

I work full time & go to the gym 5 nights a week which as also helped but its just this association I have with stress / emotions & alcohol.