the drink

I want to change my thinking around alcohol.  My current thinking is that it is a substance I consume that makes me feel relaxed and jovial.  I also think it gives me the opportunity to "check out" so to speak and not allow myself the usual contemplative thought patterns as I am definitely and over-thinker.  The problem is that when I "check out", it usually leads to over consumption and regret which usually leads to a major imbalance in my life.  There have been thoughts in the past that I should give up drinking altogether but that didn't seem right either.  For now, I am experimenting with the notion that drinking has its place in my life.  It helps me relax a bit while socializing, tastes good with dinner and assists me in "acting a fool" with my friends, an activity I wouldn't give up for anything.  That said, I think my work is  staying conscious while drinking and not checking out mentally, but paying attention to how I really feel while drinking.  I am attempting to do this for 30 days and hope that it will show me that I can have just as good a time moderating and not have to pay for it later.