that alcohol is really insidious. Ii directly affects the brain, so when you find yourself beginning to look forward to your nightly wine, it is, in all probability, the first stage of withdrawal. I don't know how many times I've said to myself in the morning that I would only have one glass of wine with dinner, or I wouldn't have anything at all, and then when suppertime came around found myself with a drink in my hand, all the time telling myself it was all right.

I don't get drunk. I've never missed an hour of work because of a hangover. I've never been stopped by the cops or had (horrors) a 'pick-me-up' in the morning. I, like you, like the way it helps me to drop off to sleep quickly. Getting to sleep has been something of an issue with me since childhood. But ten years ago I was routinely having two drinks a night; now I have four or five (or sometimes six). What does that tell me?

It really bears thinking about.

Bye again,

Joanna