I really hated this paragraph in The Times review of the Tony Slattery documentary. As I was reading it, I was breaking off to message with a friend who has had an alcohol problem for years...

... further raining down shame and suspicion on addicts does not help.

There were hidden bottles of booze in my uncle’s hospital room when he was dying of cancer. This stuff is hard and complicated, and benefits from something other than a gimlet eye.

I’ll put here what I just said to him, as he continues to suffer hugely with the loss of a partner who also had the same issues with substance abuse. Someone else might just need to hear it today.

I’ve known my friend since university. It was clear his drinking was not sustainable then. It has robbed him of a promising academic career. But I am glad he is still here. And I talk to him every day. It can be hard sometimes. Exhausting even. But I want him to know he is loved