Just in

Drunks

A few weeks ago on the car radio I happened to hear A Good Read, a book recommendation programmme presented by Harriet Gilbert.

Under the Milkwood by Dylan Thomas was advocated by one participant.

There was much praise for the Welsh poet’s lyricism.

Harriet Gilbert, as accompaniment, used an archive of Richard Burton reading it.

No one mentioned that both were celebrated drunks. In the unlikely event that I had been invited on the programme I would have done so.

I find drunks boorish, delusional, depressing and destructive.

In the case of one of the two mentioned it led to an early death – Thomas aged 39 – whilst Burton reached 59.

Alcohol damages brain cells, contains sugar levels damaging to diabetics and is a cause of obesity.

Yet in the strange world we live in the drunk can be a figure almost of admiration.

I think of other notorious drunks like George Best – arguably the finest footballer of his generation – or Brian Clough, who managed two lesser clubs Derby County and Nottingham Forest to league titles, whose talents were nor just obscured but destroyed by drink.

Of course there are just as many functioning alcoholics as boring worthy teetotallers – and I enjoy a glass of wine – but it’s about moderation, not dependency.

Avatar photo
About Oliver Fortune

A doctor formerly specialising in sexual health, Oliver has written widely on matters relating to sex, relationships and counselling. He is divorced and has one daughter. He is a keen skier and mountain biker. More Posts