Giving up drinking (for the time being at least)

Drinking alcohol is pretty common in my family, especially on my dad's side (around the holidays). When we all get together, it's just something we've always done. I have no idea how the tradition started, who started it, or anything of the sort. I just know when we all get together around the holidays, there are five constants: 1) Lots of food, 2) Alcohol, 3) Music, 4) Television, and 5) Laughter. I suppose after working X number of hours throughout the course of a week, month, year, it's nice to kick back, have a few drinks, and relax with the family around the holidays. However, given my recent health problems, I've decided to stop drinking, at least until my doctors and I get everything sorted. A similar thing occurred in 2009 and 2010 when I was ill. My doctors and I were uncertain of what was transpiring, so I decided to cut myself off from alcohol during that time (most of that time anyway). Once we finally started figuring out what was going on and my symptoms began to wane, we decided it was okay for me to drink again. It's a little trickier this time. In '09-10, I was battling a 2-year mystery virus of some kind. This time around, it seems as though I'm battling blood pressure, heart palpitations, and panic attacks, which alcohol can definitely worsen. So, once again, I'm going to quit drinking, until, at the very least, my doctors okay it with me. Sure, if that never happens again, I'll miss participating in this part of my family tradition around the holidays, I'll miss the social aspect of it, but if all I have to do to guarantee I never experience another major panic attack is to permanently give up alcohol, that's not going to be a difficult sacrifice to make. With this change and others, hopefully the rest of 2016 isn't nearly as turbulent on the health front as it's been to this point in the new year. Cheers to good health! :: takes a shot of water ::