by Angela Perez

For the readers of this vignette who are toying with the idea of cutting back a bit on pouring alcohol into your flesh, I ask, “What kind of drinker are you?”

Some might answer, “A fun drunk!” “A lightweight!” “I get mean.” “I black out.” “I get happy!” “I get amorous.” But that’s not quite what I mean by naming your category. I mean, where do you fit in here:

Moderate drinker: 2 per day for men; 1 per day for women
Heavy drinker: 15 or more drinks per week for men; 8 or more for women
Binge drinker: 5 or more drinks on one occasion for men; 4 or more for women

Whether or not you believe the studies that say some drinking is good for you or the ones that proclaim that all alcohol is poison, only you know if imbibing ends up gnawing at your soul and cracking your bones, leaving you pondering, “Maybe I ought to cut back.”

The good news is that even a short break can provide some benefits. Some studies show that a one-month break in heavy drinkers leads to lower blood pressure and improved insulin resistance. All of you diabetics with high blood pressure know full well that this is some good news if you want to live longer.

I’m not preaching to those not interested in quitting or cutting back. I’m sharing news with those who want to quit or cut back. If you sense a whiskey-smelling darkness creeping up on you, you can indeed step into the light and feel the sun on your face once again. It’s a much better smell.