drinking with impunity

Juice… I haven’t read a beer bottle in a while, but I suspect that that statement went past a bunch of lawyers before it went on that bottle. The brewers need to include that warning by law, but want it to be as non threatening as possible at the same time.

Many recovered alcoholics are borne again prohibitionists. Real down on the brewing and distilling industry. And I suppose, in the face of what it has done to them, with good cause. But remember Juice, nine out of ten people who drink, do so with what the big book calls impunity. Impunity: exemption from punishment, harm, or recrimination.

One or two drinks won’t kill your liver, sucking down a few watching a ball game won’t wreck your marriage, a toast here and there won’t cost you your job. For those who can drink safely, alcohol is OK. Maybe even more than OK, maybe it’s a good thing. A little ease and comfort with impunity.

But for guys like me…well that’s another question. I like the way Dr. Bob puts it in the big book, “I so frightfully abused the privilege, that it has been withdrawn.” I can’t drink safely anymore. I accept that. But for drunks like me, what am I willing to do to stay sober, that is the real question.

I like what Dro said about your moment of clarity. It is indeed just that, use it wisely my friend.

On the road to the good stuff,
Richard