The clock hits 5pm. Maybe 4pm lately. The anxiety that's been building all afternoon is unbearable. Your chest is tight. Your patience is gone. You're snapping at everyone.
And the only thing that quiets it? That first drink.
You're not an alcoholic. You function just fine. But somewhere in your 40s, one glass became two. Then three. Then you stopped counting.
You've tried cutting back. Dry January. Only weekends. But by Wednesday the anxiety wins. And you're back wondering what's wrong with you.
Nothing is wrong with you. Your body lost its natural calming system — and alcohol was the only replacement it could find.
Here's what they found
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