Yes, some countries have a huge problem with alcohol...Russia I believe is very high with this problem.

Our state raised the drinking age to 21...as it had been at 18 for a while. There was so much abuse, and traffic deaths/accidents they raised it back up many years ago to 21.

And the studies, which I watch quite a bit, go back and forth, with this subject here in the States. One cannot really depend on any of them. In fact this week there is a new media report that pregnant women can safely drink some:
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-204_162-...rodevelopment/

What can we all think when an article like THAT gets published?

I commend you on your efforts and success to stop drinking. I watched my husband struggle with this too, many years ago. Both his parents were alcoholics. But he did it, and I am very proud of him. He was more of an intermittent binge drinker than a constant drinker and he never drove a car when drinking.

Your posts here are very valuable to our members and readers, to support their decisions to do the same.