Jekyll & Hyde

I received an e-mail yesterday from a lady called M.

M says that she's made some very bad choices, especially with regard to relationships, because of her friend - red wine.

She went on to say: my particular weakness is for over promising and being overly generous with my time, plans and money when I'm drunk, then regretting it bitterly in the morning.

M was wondering whether other people had the same problem (answers below, please!)

This got me thinking.

I was always rather reassured by - proud of even - the fact that I rarely appeared terribly drunk. I had, I expect, a very high tolerance for alcohol by the end.

However, I became increasingly aware of the fact that I turned into a rather different person when I drank. A bit like Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde.

M's e-mail made me feel rather awful, as M obviously becomes a rather nice and kind person when drunk. Too nice and kind, in fact.

I'm ashamed to admit that my drunken alter ego was not at all like that.

I like to think that I am, by nature, a kind and thoughtful person. I do think kindness and good manners are really important. Yet, when I drank, I became totally thoughtless and self centred.

After a few drinks, I wouldn't just gain in confidence, I'd become totally arrogant. I'd make little effort to be kind or thoughtful to others, and my favourite (only) topic of conversation would be idle (sometimes damaging) gossip about mutual acquaintances.

This really bothered me. You know how they say in vino veritas? Well, I worried that this nasty person who emerged after a few drinks was actually the real me.

Now I know it isn't.

And one of the best things about not drinking is not having to have those awful mornings when the realisation of what you did, said, promised or omitted comes back to you, shameful bit by shameful bit.

So, M, I think it is very common to find that alcohol turns you into a different person, and makes you do things you regret. But at least your Mr Hyde is a really nice guy!

What about the rest of you?

Love SM x