I don't see why all the antagonism towards the OP's observation. He didn't say that everyone who travels for work is an alcoholic, just that from his observation they usually are. From my observation I certainly wouldn't say that frequent travelers usually have a problem with alcohol, I'd say that such individuals are certainly in the minority. I don't think alcohol is the issue here. People can drink as much as they want, and it has no effect on me, as long as they remain considerate of those around them.

"When I read about the evils of drinking, I gave up reading." -- Henny Youngman, seconded by KevinDTW.

I think the question is very good and very valid.

I don't drink a lot at home, but put me in a lounge or on a plane and I am TERRIBLE. No joke - if I'm on an international flight, I don't care if it's breakfast time at the lounge, I am going to drink.

It is REALLY hard to turn down free booze.. not sure why. It's not like I can't buy it at home. Plus it seems like everyone else is drinking too. Yikes!!! I'm a grown adult with a well-compensated job and I'm worried about missing free booze?? And the "everyone else is doing it" mentality? Downright embarrassing....

The second question from the standard medical screening questionnaire asks about this reaction.

I'm a bit perplexed by this post. How have you come to this conclusion? "that those in the world who fly frequently, especially those that travel for work, usually have a problem and or significant dependence on alcohol." How do you know business travelers have a problem or dependency? have you interviewed people? Have you studied these people and monitored their drinking habits? Do you have statistics? IMHO, you have made a big generalization here based on perhaps casual observation.

And what is it that you struggle with? Your drinking or other people drinking? If it is the latter, I'd say it's really not your business. If it's the former, then I wish you luck with your goal, whatever it may be.

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BINGO! I had a feeling this was the reason for this question, as I posted up thread.

Congrats on staying sober. That is your choice. Do not judge others.

Gotta run, happy hour stats in 8 mins.

Cheers!

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So, you don't see anything wrong with this opening statement:

This doesn't seem harsh, judgmental, or unfairly negative to you?

When posed to an audience composed of frequent travelers it doesn't seem like it might be bordering on personal accusation?

Thankfully OP has followed up in this thread to apologize for coming on too strongly. S/He has presented a more nuanced view of the situation and placed it in context of personal struggle. I thank superangrypenguin for doing this instead of taking offense at people taking offense.

I don't know why some posters get so aggressive in responding to a fairly simple and sensible question! It kind of reinforces the argument that the OP is making.

Drinking is the business of airport staff, passengers and flight crew. Being drunk on board an aircraft isn't an activity you are doing in private. And just because you're not vomiting over a fellow passenger or abusing a member of the cabin crew doesn't make it an acceptable thing to do.

Anyway, another day and another drunkard who is banned from flying. Drunk at 10.30am!

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/tr...drunk-fly.html

Until the airline industry and the police set some punishment examples and enforce a zero-tolerance policy, incidents like this will continue.

Some airline cabin crew could make a start by not encouraging excessive drinking on board during the flight.

This puts your first post into better context. You have recently sworn off alcohol and are worried the easy access to it while on the road will cause you to fall off the wagon.

May I ask if you received help in quitting? AA? CAMH? Addiction counselling? Family doctor? Or you are what is known as a "white knuckler" who quits on his own?

Respectfully these aren't the right questions. The question is how does someone with a proclivity to alcohol who has recently quit not fall back into previous behavior when it is free, easily available and they are alone and far from home.

Your problem isn't coping when far from home. It's coping without alcohol when far from home. They are two different things.

Nothing I can tell you will be of any value as I continue to consume alcohol. I could give you hints on how to moderate your intake but what you appear to want is help avoiding alcohol entirely.

I would seriously suggest you reach out to some form of addiction counselling. They've been through this before and can help you manage better than anyone here. Best of luck.

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Were any of the counsellors, social workers, psychologists specializing in the field of addictions? The phrase you quoted is unlike anything I would have expected someone specializing in the field would say. It's bordering on an enabling statement.

Don't be too quick to rule out AA. While they have a preachy reputation they will have among their members someone who has lived your situation and can relate. If not I'd suggest CAMH who can also help you cope in the high risk situations.

http://www.camh.ca/en/hospital/care_..._programs.aspx

Nothing against anyone here but you probably need more than can be offered by anonymous strangers on the Internet.

Well, let me try to formulate this. You pretty much are asking people who are drinking if they have a drinking problem.

What kind of answer do you think you'll get?