Stereotyping the alcoholic helps no-one. What comes to mind when you hear or see the word alcoholic? An unwashed homeless person drinking out of a brown paper bag? Or a glamorous celebrity making the news when they check in to rehab? It’s these polar opposites that tend to be the mainstream go-to stereotypes of alcoholics. Perhaps you have another idea about what an alcoholic looks like. Maybe the social drop out or someone from a lower socio-economic background? Or the spoilt rich kid who parties too hard? Be honest now; do you have a set of ideas about what constitutes an alcoholic? What do they look like? If you were asked to compare how you felt about the homeless alcoholic and the Hollywood alcoholic, would they elicit different emotions? Is one better or worse than the other? If so, why? The truth is, alcoholism and addiction can effect ANYONE. That’s what’s meant by addition does not discriminate. There is no one ‘type’ of person that becomes an addict. Alcoholics come from all walks of life, all backgrounds and all cultures. Alcoholics represent a hugely diverse cross section of society. Alcoholics come from any social class, any faith or religion, any ethnic groups, any sexuality or identity and any level of education. Addicts have a wide range of life experiences and may have been brought up in loving, supportive homes, or may have had far less stability in their home life or worse. The point I am trying to hammer home is that you cannot ascribe alcohol addiction to any type of person. Stereotyping and judging alcoholics is unhelpful and inaccurate. You’d be surprised how many ‘normal’ people you know struggle with alcohol dependency.