I had a strange thought pop into my head, of a long ago co-worker and friend. We really only knew each other for 2-3 years and went our separate ways. He had what I'd describe as a "Fred Flintstone" personality. He was always jovial and fun to be around. He had frequent parties, a fully stocked bar, a keg on tap in his basement, etc. He frequently joked about being an alcoholic - we were both in our early 20s at the time. He bragged about his drinking exploits, including being in a van full of drunks that flipped on its side - cops came, and no one would admit to being the driver so the cops helped them right the van, picked the one they deemed most sober and told him to drive and they followed them home. Ah, those old and glorious days of the 70s... LOL!
Anyway, I often wondered what became of the guy, if he still drinks like he used to, if he got sober, etc. The thought occurred to me though, in remembering his parties and other gatherings, I don't remember him ever really getting drunk, or actually seeing him drink even a fraction of what he was pumping out of the keg. However he did make sure that the guests (including me) got rip-roaring, rubber-faced, puke on the floor drunk. LOL. I remember him buzzing a blender full of gin and ice, adding a little powdered lemonade to disguise the fact he was serving up pure gin. But seems like at the end, he was always standing. I'm not saying he didn't drink at all - he certainly did - but he seemed to use alcohol as a means of attracting friends and in the end out-lasting them all, more so than to really drink it himself.
I'm sure there are people of that type who do become alcoholics. But still, it's an interesting thought - someone who uses alcohol in that way, but you can't say they're either an alcoholic nor a codependent, at least not in the conventional sense. I guess we mostly call them "bar owners". And that was one of my friend's ambitions.... seems like everybody back then had the dream job of owning a bar. LOL.
Anyway just thought I'd throw that out there as a topic. I know "Fred" certainly got me shit-faced on numerous occasions, including a couple where I could have, should have, most certainly deserved a DUI on the way home, although it never happened.
I would say yes there are those people. I even know one. It would definitely be denied!!!! And they got what they wanted.......the money/finances and use of names to 'drop' so the social ladder could be climbed. Alcohol was used as the lure to 'attract' and 'catch' an alcoholic who left a marriage, handed over finances, and helped the person becoming owner of a bar. The 'lured' had health problems and even so was promised that help in that area would come. Ohhhhh really!!!! The health has deteriorated! The alcoholic is still an alcoholic even though the drinking is hidden or played down. Hasn't been able to hold a steady job unless one counts working in the bar owner's establishment. Such a pity too. Was told by serveral, that it seems to be criteria that no beautiful people are hired because this owner has issues with image. Male and female alike. Thus if they are heavier, not too pretty this owner won't be upstage. I had to laugh at that one! What irks me more now, this same person's use of 'charity events': the poker runs, the dart tournaments, memorial cookouts, children/adults with diseases. All money 'supposedly' goes to the institution/family/kids and on and on. PLEASE!!!! This particular establiment as well as alot of others wouldn't just fork out a fist full of money without some gain. They are too numerous in my area and with that many these places would go broke! They make certain that advertisements play up the charity so it tugs at the heart strings.........when to me it is just another guise to climb the social ladder for being a good person as well as overflowing their accts! Had to get that off my chest...... To answer the question yeah I know at least one!
Hmmmm .. I dont think I know anybody like this 'Fred' you are describing.
Everybody I have ever drank with pretty much so were the 'real' alcoholics or at least heavy drinkers and even some problem drinkers.
I do find it interesting that you claim that 'Fred' got you drunk plenty of times. I dont know anybody that ever got me drunk, I did a bang up job of that all by myself.
I am very happy to hear tho all those nights that you drank and drove, you weren't in an accident or or got that DUI.
Cant say the same for myself ... Ive had 2 offenses out of probably hundreds of times I was drunk driving. I am thankful today and know that it was just another one of those subtle little hints from God that it was time to stop drinking.
I know without a doubt I dont ever wanna go back to jail. I also know without a doubt how to get there and that would be to pick up a drink.
You just made me think of my ex-brother-in law, same guy- always had parties, kegs and full stocked bar and hung with a party crowd.
Used to talk about how drunk he was the night before, but I'm pretty sure he never had more than a few drinks and was never "drunk" anywhere close to my standards. His real addiction was food, but how much fun would it be just meeting all your friends at the buffet?
I guess some people just look for assosiation and identity. Like there are people with a motorcycle and all the Harley garb, but "real" bikers know they are not one of them.
Guess you could say the same for boaters, skiers, golfers etc.
Glad I'm the real McCoy. LOL
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Rob
"There ain't no Coupe DeVille hiding in the bottom of a Cracker Jack Box."
