I am Not an Alcoholic: ‘She was much more fun when she was drinking’

'I have heard it said (a lot) that relapse is a part of rehab. That everyone will relapse at least once, but more likely several times. It is not an option for me.' Photograph: Kyle Little/Getty

The role of alcohol is important in marking life’s milestones, but the non-drinker is often seen as something of a nuisance.

“Someone’s looking for water. Have we any water?” asks an overworked waiter trying to keep everyone’s glasses topped up.

The non-drinker is someone to be avoided at parties… “Oh, what a bore. She was much more fun when she was drinking,” is heard as you quickly retreat to the bathroom. The speaker is oblivious to the fact that in her raucous laughter, she tipped her glass and a splash of red wine landed on your white linen top. What’s sad about this is that in the past I probably did the same thing myself, oblivious in my raucous laughter.

I read some letters to this newspaper complaining about the excess of articles written on alcohol and its negative impact on society. So, I apologise to anyone experiencing annoyance on seeing yet another article on the drug that holds our society together.

Quitting drinking is very hard, but in its initial stages, it comes with a sense of empowerment. “I can do this.” “Look at me.” “I didn’t take a drink yesterday, now I can do that again today” – and so on and so forth.