I used to be. I quit cold turkey for a few years in my mid 20's. I shouldn't have gone cold turkey as I ended up having a mini-seizure. Went to the ER and all of that crap. My heavy drinking back then was just from insane partying from ages 18-24. My body just got physically addicted. It wasn't "masking some pain" or that other shit that happens with people.
After a few years of getting my shit together, I realized I could drink beer and be responsible. I switched to better beers with higher alcohol content (IPAs, stouts, etc.), and I don't drink near as much in a night. If I'm going to have Budweiser or something, I can just drink it like water and won't stop. Sometimes, 4 beers is plenty for me. I probably average about a beer an hour now too, whereas I'd take down a Budweiser in 20 minutes.
Anyways, I do not drink on work days and I always drink water while I'm drinking. I would say I average 6-8 ounces of water per 12 oz of beer. I try to stop drinking at least a half hour to an hour before bed. I'll drink more water and eat. I'll normally be up the next morning before 7:30 AM and feel fine.