Reflections on Numbing, Growth and Personal Freedom Exactly one year ago, I decided to completely break with alcohol. Alcohol and I had an intimate relationship. It had always been there. In my childhood, alcohol was seen as normal. At home, there was always drinking before dinner, never skipping a day. Wine was made at home. There was always a bottle of yeast on the windowsill, and in the attic, large round glass bottles with wine aging. Because it was always present and con