DriGuy

This from our family and closest friends. It's what they want to believe, and it's what we want to believe too. This is the reason a group of alcoholics dedicated to helping each other can do what our best friends and well meaning peers cannot do. Some do understand, but this is a small minority. The stigma of alcoholism survives in an environment of people who don't get it. And I would add to that, "Bless their hearts." It is the innocence of ignorance.

Hodd

I’d probably have said it too a few years ago. I do have one friend who’s a good friend but he’s very musical and arty and comes out with bohemian world comments from time to time. He knows me inside out so knows I used to be a problem drinker, but even he still comes out with the “just the one” comment from time to time. He used to smoke too! He’s the only person I get irritated with. Everyone else probably doesn’t understand.