CHILD
My dad told me he went green after drinking too much; I worried he’d turn rowdy after enjoying Ouzo on holiday. Alcohol was terrifyingly mysterious.
TEEN
I was embarrassingly square at parties, shuddering when offered cheap cider, only relenting for Lambrusco, whilst friends smuggled in vodka and teased me about being tipsy.
A LEVELS
During a field trip, egged on by patronising schoolmates, I gamely sampled a whole variety of spirits. Proudly, I told my parents on my return that I now liked alcohol. My sherry-loving granny was delighted and reached for the good stuff.
UNIVERSITY/TEACHING
Alcohol made me who I thought I would have been without the crutches. I won pub golf, climbed fences, rode in a shopping trolley, called my boss at 2am to say I was too ill to come in.
But there was a dark side. Whenever crisis struck, I thought alcohol would get me through the night. It turned its back: I threw up, wet myself, insulted people, fell over. A lot.
CANCER
Now I have a funny relationship with alcohol. Without it, I lie awake at night worrying about liver mets. After another glass of wine, I feel philosophical and courageous. A bottle with a friend becomes two, but who cares, I could be dead soon, right?!
https://music.apple.com/gb/album/smokin-and-drinkin-feat-little-big-town/849069497?i=849069515
Does alcohol help or hinder your mental health? Or does coffee get you through? Answer if you’d like in the comments!
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