I am a recovering alcoholic and there is a saying in AA which helps to determine if alcohol has become a problem for you.
If alcohol feels like the problem then it probably is not a problem.
If alcohol is the solution then it probably is a problem.
From what I read it sounds like you are not happy about the amount you are drinking and 78 units a week is still within the level of drinking without going over 24 in 24 hours. Then you quickly run into problems. You are way over the weekly guideline. I used to drink about 20 units in a day so I would sober up 'just' before I had another drink. One thing they always said in rehab is are you fixing feelings by drinking? You can only deal with the emotional turmoil if you put down the drink. The first port of call was my GP who refered me to the alcohol services. You might want to phone them if you are having problems leaving the house. You have already been given the helpline numbers and email. One thing you could think about reading is the AA Big Book. This has stories of people with alcohol problems and when I read it I thought that is exactly me or I really relate to that. That can help to see if you have a problem with alcohol. If you have been drinking like this for 2/3 months then you could be on a slippery slope leading to dependence. I have been sober for 13 months and my life is so much better without it. I don't often think about it these days, and I used to think about it every 15-30 mins where my next drink would be coming from. I have a terrible stomach ulcer from the drink that can be very painful. I am much happier without the alcohol and make sure you remember that when things get hard. There is an AA saying that "it gets easier"
Good luck and tell me how you get on!
All the best
Ben
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