Nightly scotch and wine might lead to a problem

msar AMY >> I am a 70-yearold retired man.

I am content and keep myself very active.

I do have one concern however: Each afternoon at around 5 p.m. when I’m ready to sit down and enjoy my newspaper, I treat myself to two Scotch and waters. Then when I have my dinner, I typically drink two glasses of wine.

After dinner I have either bottled water or a cup of hot tea.

I’m concerned about my drinking. Am I an alcoholic?

— Concerned

msar konksrnsm >> Let’s agree that you have a drinking problem. Why label your habitual drinking a “problem”? Because you are concerned enough to ask about it.

The newer term for alcoholism is “alcohol use disorder,” and it is defined as a physical or mental dependence on alcohol, even when consuming it causes physical or relationship problems, makes you feel ill, and impairs functioning (I hope it is obvious that you must not operate a vehicle any evening when you’re drinking).

Have friends or family members remarked on your drinking? Do people know not to call you after 8 p.m. because you are impaired? Are you missing social or other opportunities because of your routine?

One obvious way to address your concerns is to cut down. You could cut your consumption in half by substituting flavored seltzer for one cocktail and one glass of wine (drink it from your favorite tumbler).

A newer tradition in the UK has caught on in North America: Dry January. This is where you start the year abstaining from alcohol for the whole month. Abstaining for a period of time helps people to gauge the amount of alcohol they habitually drink, and can lead to more awareness and healthier habits the rest of the year.

msar AMY >> Thank you for advocating for families to save and archive old letters from family members. Soon enough, the current generation won’t have much access to written material. Email and Facebook messages just won’t translate the way paperborne messages do. msar AN >> Many of us have taken up pen and paper during the pandemic; it’s a small bright spot during a tough time.