Where Do You Drink Alcohol?

As mentioned in my previous entry alcohol is a socially accepted and highly promoted drug and that some people can handle it better than others. This begs the question as to why people consume alcohol. There is a mountain of reasons to justify the consumption of alcohol.  Social events, work dinners, barbeques, sporting events, unwinding after a hard days work....the list goes on.


This leaves quite a scope of opportunity for the alcoholic to have a drink. Why, then, is the alcoholic different from anyone else consuming alcohol at these events? The alcoholic is more likely to have 'a few drinks' prior to attending public functions. Initially in the disease process this acts as a great foil for their alcoholism as they will only consume a few alcoholic drinks as they are already 'primed' prior to the event.


As time progresses, however, the amount of drinks taken prior to a public event increase. Additionally and despite the ever-increasing tolerance to alcohol, increased alcohol consumption carries over into the public event and becomes noticed. During this 'crossover phase,' the alcoholic begins to sneak drinks. In my instance it was taping four hip-flasks of vodka to my body, wearing loose-fitting clothing and heading off to the toilet for a drink, returning to the can of beer that was my 'disguise.' 

It was around this time that I realised I was a fully-fledged alcoholic....and had no intention of addressing it. Why? I have no idea.


This type of covert and devious drinking can only be 'understood' by a practicing or 'functional' alcoholic. I was a 'functional' alcoholic for many years as my tolerance to alcohol increased so gradually. Looking back on it now, it is a form of madness. 


Many alcoholics will admit to this but I guarantee that the vast majority will only do so at the end of along drinking session. Once sober, they will (poorly) brush it off....until next time.


There is also the plight of the alcoholic who drinks predominantly out of sight....but that deserves an entry all of its own.