Anytime I drink I lose control and all my problems come out

I am a 24year old single mother, I am studying for an honours degree at the moment. It is tough but it is the people around me bringing me down. I recently found out my brother has been stealing money from the shop he was managing. About 15,000euro. He was found out and my dad is helping to bail him out, which leaves him with stuck himself. My brother doesn't even seem sorry, he acts like nothing has happened. He has a gambling addiction but he says it wasn't used for gambling but it was used to pay for things for his children. He is split from their mother and was supporting them and helping with rent. I can't feel sorry for him, we all struggle, His old boss has made an agreement that he will not go to the gardai as long as it is paid back within the year but he can change his mind at any point. I just feel like I can't talk to anyone about it as it is not something that I can tell people. When I go out to have fun with my friends most of the time I lose control drinking, I don't mean to. I never even remember the nights but I get really upset and want to go home on my own. My friends being friends come after me and I lash out at them. I don't want them near me. I don't want to be like that but I feel like they just don't get anything. I know I would be ok and I would go home and just go to bed. They push at me about what is wrong and it makes me really mad. I just feel so alone. My daughter is my life. Everything I do is for her. I don't want people looking at me as a bad person because I lash out when I drink.

You are being successful with solving your problem whether you realise it or not, because you have taken the time to put your issues on 'paper'. In other words, it's in black and white and the answer is staring you in the face. Stop drinking or moderate it..alcohol doesn't solve problems, rather it creates them. Your bother's problem is HIS problem, not yours. Your Dad has made it his by bailing his son out of trouble but you don't need to. You're fortunate to have friends who 'come after you' even if you do 'lash out at them' but that's not you doing that, it's your alcohol fueled frustration speaking. I'm sorry, but if they were real friends you wouldn't need the drink to socialise with them, they would be there for you, to listen to you and discuss your issues like a true friends do over a coffee. True friends just listen, are always available and sometimes offer advice,...they don't tell you what you want to hear..and sadly, true friends are rare which makes them that much more special. You're 24, you're an honours degree student, you have the world at your feet, you have a daughter, she's your life. Get it together and be her first true friend in life, to be there for her in every sense and in every way. Your brother will find his own way or learn the hard way. Keep your chin up young lady...