I wouldn't say I'm an alcoholic as I don't feel the need to drink every day. In fact, during the week I barely touch a drop even though there's shit loads of alcohol in the house. I'm more of a social drinker but when I do go out - often around City games - I binge drink and often get so pissed I really don't know when to stop as I'm largely incapable of making that decision when I'm wankered. Forest away the other week was ridiculous - I can't pinpoint exactly how many I had but I'm sure it was in excess of 10 pints before the match even kicked off. Not helped by a mate (who can put away far more than me) bringing 2 5 litre kegs of beer on the train for the journey down. To be fair, he didn't hold a gun to my head - "You don't have to drink it you know!" but that's easier said than done when it's there in front of you and you want to unwind after a week at work. There followed probably another 5 or 6 pints at half-time and after the match before I staggered into the house at around 9.15pm (after I'd fallen asleep on the bus and missed my stop).
Then it was off to Leipzig on Tuesday morning early doors with the obligatory pint at the airport as soon as I was through security. Normally when I've got a long day of travelling ahead with little sleep the night before, I get pissed quicker but I managed to semi-pace myself and didn't get too rat-arsed even when I got to Leipzig in the evening. Because of that, I wasn't too pissed and was able to call it a day at 1.30am. Even when I got back to the hotel - which had a 24 hour bar - I was tempted and would've probably had another drink were it not for the staff being on a shift change. However, I was just sober enough to be able to make the decision that I wasn't hanging around and waiting so buggered off to bed.
Match day started sensibly enough with an adequate breakfast in the cafe just round the corner from the hotel but as soon as I hit the Augustiner at around 12.30pm that was it. 4 1 litre steins in there and countless other drinks in the run-up to kick-off time plus at least one in the ground. The long-winded walk back into the city afterwards helped sober me up a fair bit but then I was back on it. I've no idea what time I got to bed but put it this way, I don't remember going to bed - only waking up the next morning. Then I was back on the beer for the long journey home (a train to Berlin and 2 flights). Even now I'm still not feeling fully refreshed but whereas alcoholics will feel the need to get back on it the next morning, I've not touched a drop since Thursday night and have no real inclination to have a drink before the weekend.
