Ialways dedicated a level of ritual to my drinking – a long-stem glass, a hearty sniff, a swill of the liquid and first sip – as if that somehow made my habit as palatable as the fine wine I was savouring. Swigging from the bottle was something alcoholics did, not me. Not this doctor.

I never bought wine in bulk (knowing full well I’d consume it too fast). Instead, I shopped at local stores (note the plural) and prided myself on my great relationship with the sellers, who would buy in my favourites – shiraz normally, but margaux if I could get it – knowing which days I’d be in.

On my worst nights, when I was not working the next day, I could get through up to three bottles. That’s 30 units of alcohol, more than double the recommended units for an entire week. And however much I tri

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