[Londoner]

Heard last night that a former work collegue is in hospital with a serious stroke. He was a drinker, we knew that. Turns out he had been getting progressively worse but like a lot of people with drink problems he hid it well.

I know a few on here have had their battles with the bottle. Its a killer sure enough.

[GB Window Cleaning]

really sorry to hear that vince, wish him all the best mate

[bobby p]

what was his line of work? 

[aztec]

brewery consultant? :

[Londoner]

what was his line of work?  

He's one of my taxi driver mates, not a job that goes well with a bottle of vodka a day habit. Still, he's not going to be driving anything any more, least of all a taxi.

[niceandclean]

what was his line of work?  

He's one of my taxi driver mates, not a job that goes well with a bottle of vodka a day habit. Still, he's not going to be driving anything any more, least of all a taxi.

People knew he drank a bottle of vodka a day, and they let him get behind a wheel?? On top of that, carry fare paying passengers?? Or am i missing something? 

[Simon@ Clearview contractors]

what was his line of work?  

He's one of my taxi driver mates, not a job that goes well with a bottle of vodka a day habit. Still, he's not going to be driving anything any more, least of all a taxi.

People knew he drank a bottle of vodka a day, and they let him get behind a wheel?? On top of that, carry fare paying passengers?? Or am i missing something? 

Yes, the bit where he said that he had hidden his drinking habits well...

[dazmond]

i know of loads of people that have died through the drink.it would of been me as well if id not have sought help.3 guys i used to drink with all died before their 40th birthday.i also know of young women in their early thirties dying and being diagnosed with liver problems and cirrhosis.very sad.its a very widespread and increasing problem in this country.


regards


dazmond

[Londoner]

what was his line of work?  

He's one of my taxi driver mates, not a job that goes well with a bottle of vodka a day habit. Still, he's not going to be driving anything any more, least of all a taxi.

People knew he drank a bottle of vodka a day, and they let him get behind a wheel?? On top of that, carry fare paying passengers?? Or am i missing something? 

Things have only really emerged in the last few days as to how much he was drinking. Thats part of the problem with secret drinkers. They are really good at concealing it

[A & J Owen Window Cleaning]

sorry to hear that mate drink dont do you any good down the line . we all like a drink to calm us down when custys go off on one.hows he doing

[Londoner]

sorry to hear that mate drink dont do you any good down the line . we all like a drink to calm us down when custys go off on one.hows he doing

He's not doing too well apparantly but I don't have a great deal of sympathy. Letting yourself get that bad is just stupid. He should have got help. You can't tell me he didn't know. Others (on here too) have got themselves sorted out and I admire them for it, it can't be easy but we only have one life. Now he's well and truly up the creek and he's lost his job as well. 

[davids3511]

That's a bit heartless Vince, he probably needs your support not your judgement. I worked for the Samaritans for a few years and spoke to many an alcoholic and most (if not all) were desperate to stop but just couldn't. It is also recognised as a disease so while I have never suffered from it, I imagine it isn't as simple as being stupid.

[Londoner]

That's a bit heartless Vince, he probably needs your support not your judgement. I worked for the Samaritans for a few years and spoke to many an alcoholic and most (if not all) were desperate to stop but just couldn't. It is also recognised as a disease so while I have never suffered from it, I imagine it isn't as simple as being stupid.

Yes maybe it did come over as a bit heartless and I have already chipped in for his collection. But I still think its an own goal.

[Nameless Drudge]

Describing anyone`s suffering from alcohol as "an own goal" is so superbly correct that something to this effect ought to be on the label of every drink produced.

There is confusion as to whether alcoholism is a disease though there is no doubt in my mind that it is not.

Some of the confusion stems from Alcoholics Anonymous use of the word disease when referring to alcoholism but in fact they have only used the word disease as a metaphor for what they believe is a "mental, physical and spiritual malady".

 It tends to be easier to continue drinking than it is to refrain from it and that applies right down to when a drinker will risk life and limb,beg,steal and borrow and humiliate themselves in order to get more.At this point the drinker with his drug induced brain will still think these are easier options than being without,something the puddled mind conjectures as a fate worse than death.