Article April 3, 1965 Issue

Signs of the Times

C. Aubrey Hearn

The Link

C. Aubrey Hearn
in "Why I Leave Alcohol Alone"
The Link, a Protestant magazine for Armed Forces personnel
Washington, District of Columbia

Alcohol takes off the brakes of control. It releases inhibitions, those restraints developed through training and refinement. When the brakes are taken off, the baser instincts and desires are released. A few drinks will make some people silly, others vulgar, others irresponsible.

Dr. Hornell Hart, Duke University sociologist, says: "I find that the recollections which people seem to retain of alcoholic sprees are muggy and repulsive to them. ... The joy of life depends, for me, vitally upon being in full command of myself. Alcohol deprives those who use it of the possession of themselves. It dulls the keen edge of intellectual power. Many drinkers defend alcohol as a means of obtaining thrilling excitement. But I shall find my thrills by keeping my mind keen, my body vigorous, my memories delightful, my friendships sound, and myself free from enslavement to habit-forming drugs like alcohol."

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