![]() ![]() It has long been recognised that excessive consumption of alcohol can and does have detrimental effects on physical and mental health -- its contribution to body organ diseases, anti-social behaviour, and the often tragic consequences of drink/driving have all been well researched and documented. 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".
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
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'.
"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 ? |