However, relatively undocumented is a newly emerged alcohol-related social problem - that resulting from combining heavy alcohol consumption with the new addiction of the 90's, the Internet. A typical case is outlined here.

In order to protect the identity of the individual concerned, facial features have been masked in the following photo, taken 'pre-internet', and he is referred to as "X".

"X" is in his late 20's, with a stable middle-class family background, well educated, and employed in a responsible administrative capacity in a large corporation. Colleagues described his pre-internet character as outwardly well-adjusted, whereas in fact he suffered considerable feelings of inferiority, and admitted he found it difficult to make new friends because of this. He spent a great deal of time alone at home, consuming large quantities of takeout food while watching TV and vainly waiting for the phone to ring.

Approximately a year ago "X" purchased a computer for the purpose of improving his skills in practical applications, which would in turn assist his career. Initially he resisted the flood of offers of free internet access received by mail and in magazines, but eventually his curiosity was aroused by the educational possibilities he had read and heard about. So he signed up and, equipped with what was touted by some to be the only software worth considering, surfed on in. What he found amazed and enthralled him, and he no longer noticed those empty hours spent at home alone. Naturally, during the course of his surfing he came across frequent reference to IRC, and it was a simple matter for him to download the necessary software, read the FAQ and go off in search of appropriate groups to join.

Although he was purely a social drinker at this stage, one of the first groups he joined was unmistakeably focussed on heavy alcohol consumption. However, he came from a small town and initially his excitement at being able to communicate directly with people from the other side of the country, not to mention other parts of the world, outweighed the difficulties he sometimes experienced relating to their drunken conversations. As he became better known to the regulars and his relationship with them became more relaxed they frequently made jibing reference to his sobriety, and he realised that in order to be completely accepted as he wanted to be, he was going to have to drink with them. He rarely drank hard liquor but the prospect of drinking large quantities of gas-inducing beer in order to reach the same level of inebriation did not appeal to him. It seemed vodka was the popular choice of a wide variety of people for its ability to not only assist them quickly reach the desired level of consciousness, but also because of its versatility. So, succumbing to peer pressure, he bought his first bottle.

Within a short period of time "X" was visiting the IRC channel every night, consuming large quantities of vodka during each session, until he passed out drunk at the computer. Virtually his whole world outside of work revolved around the internet, whether it be surfing, reading and posting to the large number of newsgroups he now subscribed to, or his favourite aspect - chatting on IRC. His inhibitions removed by the vodka, he found he was able to freely talk about his insecurities to people who seemed to understand.

"X" soon established himself as one of the stalwarts of the channel. The change in his character surprised even himself, especially his willing participation in 'raids' on other channels, during which he adopted a female nickname and, again bolstered by large amounts of vodka, had some interesting conversations with unsuspecting males. The adoption of the role came quite naturally and he admitted that sometimes, when he was very drunk, he took the role-playing a step further by dressing the part, 'just for laughs'.

In the 12 months since "X" first discovered IRC, the transformation from clean-cut 'all-American boy' has been extraordinary. Work colleagues report that while he rarely misses a day of work, he frequently arrives late and it is apparent he has been drinking heavily the previous night. He has frequent memory lapses, his conversation is filled with unintelligible expressions such as 'lol' and 'rotfl'; and it has become necessary for his outgoing correspondence to be checked to remove code-like abbreviations and symbols such as 'brb', ':)', ':-)'. Also of concern to his colleagues is the deterioration in his appearance -- his once neatly trimmed hair is now below shoulder length, he wears several pieces of conspicuous jewellery in his ears and alludes to having several other items elsewhere. The above photo was taken recently at a staff function, where a very intoxicated "X" arrived late, apologising for not having had time to 'change', and left shortly afterwards, saying he had to rush to meet another friend. He now refuses to work outside his normal hours, always giving the excuse that he has obligations elsewhere. Curious colleagues have followed him as he has left work, and on each occasion he has simply gone home, stopping at a liquor store on the way.

"X" unashamedly attributes this transformation to having been 'liberated' by alcohol and the friends he has made on IRC, particularly amongst his drinking companions. However, when questioned further about his casual references to bickering and fighting, broken marriages, irrational outbursts, etc. amongst his 'friends', he shrugs the questions off, saying one of the benefits of alcohol was the way in which it allowed people to deal with their problems - all one had to do was drink enough and they were soon forgotten.

More vodka, anyone ?