Declan’s cocktail of passion and wit

Sir — Once again I find myself impressed with Declan Lynch’s writing in the Sunday Independent. And his piece last Sunday defining alcoholism nails that subject.

When one looks for a definition of alcoholism there are so many efforts at it, usually beginning with, “this is difficult to define...” But Declan keeps it simple: if your life is adversely affected by drinking alcohol but you keep on doing it — then you have a problem.

Declan has always been brave in his writing, combining passion and wit very successfully. In my own work as a psychotherapist, I have quoted some of Declan’s articles to clients whose lives are adversely affected by alcohol and indeed gambling. Thanks, Declan. Keep up the good work.

Joe Heffernan, Boherbue, Mallow, Co Cork