without identifying the person, talk about a case that you know of alcoholism. Is the alcoholic you know functional? Are they just getting into alcohol or have they been alcoholic for many years? Talk about the behavior of the individual, how the alcohol dependence has changed their lives and the lives of those around them. If you do not know any alcoholics (think hard, you may reevaluate your relationships to identify someone as an alcoholic), discuss how alcohol generally has influenced your life (even if it means that you and those around you have actively avoided alcohol, and why).

A side note: it's particularly important right now, in the midst of this pandemic and the social distancing that accompanies it, that you monitor your alcohol use, and encourage others around you to do the same. Remember, the people we are sheltering in place with are (hopefully) our loved ones, so we need to (1) be patient, (2) avoid conflict, and (3) stay well. Alcohol can compromise all three of these goals.