The question of “Do you drink or smoke while you’re alone?” is one of the traits that merit the response of “Then you may have a problem or habit” if you happen to answer that question with a “Yes”. It’s a guarantee that almost any self assessment will, if you respond with a “Yes” to this question, indicate your behavior is more than likely not only unhealthy but problematic.
Rationalizing this behavior will get you nowhere. Sitting having a smoke while driving alone in traffic, or drinking by yourself in a crowded bar will not exempt you from your addiction, given those standards. Nor should you be. A significant study recently drew the conclusion that at very early stages of experimenting with substances such as alcohol and tobacco teenagers who engage in substance abuse alone, as opposed to socially (at parties or with a group) run a much greater risk of experiencing significant consequences legally and scholastically in the long term scheme of life. Strangely enough, these solo users were not social outcasts trying to fit in with their usage, they were in fact not only social, but also far more focused on their usage unlike the other kids where usage is more like a by product of socializing.
This got me thinking about the possible profile of what these kids may or may not be and how they may present themselves in public or in person. Would they be what we always used to term the “Burn out”? Or would they more than likely present themselves as many closeted behavioral individual types do as “totally normal” or “just like anyone else”?
More than likely the truth lies somewhere in between.
