Alcohol Councillor
After a particularly embarrassing and socially disastrous Hogmanay I phone the Scottish Alcohol Helpline. Through them I self-referred to the Scottish Alcohol Agency. I have just returned from my first meeting with my alcohol councillor ‘Bill’ (not the real name).
I will blog in greater detail on this but while it is fresh I will summarise the conclusions.
1) In many social situations I feel awkward and/or lacking in confidence. This is a trigger. ‘Everyone’ feels awkward. I am not alone. Boredom in social situation is a trigger (social situations full stop?). I feel awkward in Scotland especially.
2) Moderation is recommended in my case not abstinence. If moderation fails then I’ll know abstinence is the way to go.
3) Moderation is defined as drinking without getting drunk. When we are drunk we have reached the point of invincibility. I suppose he means when we have lost touch with rationality/reality.
4) There is NEVER a situation where I should feel I have to drink.
5) I don’t enjoy alcohol generally. I do enjoy it in a few limited situation. EG Apres Ski with other moderate drinkers, by the river in Chiswick (again with other moderate drinkers). Now I think about it it is primarily location and company that have defined the amount of alcohol consumed.
6) Learning to box has increased my physical confidence and therefore decreases anxiety in social situations. Continue this.
A lot of this wasn’t self evident before. It was surprisingly close to the surface but I wasn’t conscious of it only sub-consciously aware. When walking down Sauchiehall St afterward I felt more confident and a slight buzz.
