I find abstinence to be a bit misguided for most (but by no means all) people. That said, I've known several alcoholics who really seem to be unable to have a drink without going off the deep end.

Personally, I'm thinking of making tempering my alcohol intake a New Year's resolution this year. Last night, a very close friend of mine told me she's 100% sure that I'm an alcoholic. I vehemently disagree (although those silly online "are you an alcoholic" quizzes definitely are on my friend's side, but wtf do they know?), but I do think I drink too much at times, especially when I have to drive (and to be clear, I'm not talking about driving while wasted, but certainly over the legal limit). I don't think there's anything wrong with getting shit faced from time to time, so long as you don't need to drive anywhere, but when you can't just limit yourself to three or four beers when driving, it kind of gives you pause. The last thing I need in life is a DUI (or worse).

Anyway, the long and short of it is that I'm resolving to not over do it in 2014.