I have a young friend that I'm worried about. He's 22, and I think he might be an alcoholic - but at least a functional one (for now). He's my daughter's godfather, and his father is mine. My wife and I think of them like family and they're all good people, but I'm afraid they're overlooking a brewing (no pun) problem. Here's the deal:
I've worked with him for the past 4 years, and I've seen a big change in him the last 2. He's become more irritable toward his job, and the only time he's happy is when he's drinking. He has no other interests besides drinking with others during his off hours. No hobbies, no girls, nothing else. My wife says he's a handsome kid, and he could have many dates, but he's not interested. I find that most peculiar (and no, he's not gay).
He recently quit his job with me to work somewhere else. His only aspiration is to become a LEO, but he's not willing to go to college or obtain other requirements to do so. He once half-jokingly told me the biggest reason he wants to be a cop is so he can get out of speeding tickets and DUI's if he got any. He's not much of a barfly, although he is spotted at the local watering hole sometimes. He prefers to drink at parties, or just lay around the house and drink.
He's also confided in me that he takes a few beers to bed with him "to sleep better", but someone else told me that he tips a bottle of Jack he hides under his bed every night. This is after he spends the whole evening drinking. The fact that he hides it is strange too. He still lives at home, and his parents know he drinks, so why hide it?
He doesn't do drugs, but he also told me that he likes to take a Vicodan(sp?) before he drinks sometimes so he can "get a better beer buzz". Once again, I lectured him, and he just laughed it off. There's many other tell-tale signs I've seen, but these bother me most. I know much of this makes him sound like a nasty drunk, but he is a super kid who would do anything in the world for anybody. He's very socialable and loves to be around people - as long as there's booze. He's held a job continually to pay his truck payments and other expenses. My daughter adores him, but he hasn't been around to see her in a while.
I don't think his dad detects a problem, and I even think that he might have contributed to it. He's allowed his son to drink in his teen years as long as he did it at home. He's a pretty devout Catholic, and doesn't encourage his son to date. It seems like he just expects him to wait for the perfect Catholic virgin to walk into his son's life one day... Personally, I'd be more worried about my son's drinking problem than about him "chasing tail".
My wife and I are worried about this kid, and haven't said anything to any family members yet. We're not sure what the reaction would be, but it would probably be denial if anything. Or should we mind our own business, and maybe it's just a "phase" for him that he'll grow out of? Or maybe we're just being prudes, and we forgot what it was like to be his age?
