(continued from January 10)

“What do you mean, Hall passes?” I asked.

“You have a lot of social events that involve dinner and drinks.  If you just stop drinking, you will draw attention to what you’re doing and if you do that, you’re saying you have a problem; and you don’t want to do that.”  Said Cole, finishing his drink.

“You’re right, you’re right.”

“So, you have to have a hall pass and that’s even harder than anything else because you just have to consume less on purpose, drink slower, sip a bit and say you have to get up early in the morning, or you have some work to do tonight, or something.” 

“Yeah, that’s good.  People will accept that and people that I know who I drink with will most likely be happening on weekends, so I should be cool.  Honestly, not having a drink during the week will be good for me.”

“Yes, but you have to have the power to do it, my brother.  If you can’t do it, then you have a problem.  And, if you don’t admit to it, then you need help.”

“It’s that simple.”