After some consideration I have decided that I should display a bit of trust. I like my cousin a lot. He is in fact one of the nicest people I know. He drinks a lot, though just at weekends and holidays as far as I can tell and he enjoys the 'good things in life'. He is kind and gentle too.
So I am going to phone him later in the week and explain that I have acknowledged I have a drinking problem (I already told him a while ago that I drink a bottle of wine every evening..though it was more in reality, so he knows something is up). I will say I am going to a support group - maybe I'll mention AA - will see - and suggest putting off the visit for a couple of months.
If I know my cousin he will understand. If he doesn't then I will know I have been open and have nothing to blame myself for.