My Experience with Alcohol, a 17th-Century Mathematician, and a Personal Decision

Abstract

This writing shares the first author's personal experience with alcohol, the negative consequences of his choices, and the ultimate answering of the question, “Am I an alcoholic and should I drink again?” The decision-making process and the eventual answer come from Blaise Pascal, a 17th-century mathematician. This process is explained and proposed as a model for practitioners and educators.

KEYWORDS:

• addictions
• alcohol
• substance abuse
• decision making
• Pascal
• Pascal's Wager
• creativity