Chapter 5, In Vodka Veritas, ( pg 63-76) Summary and Analysis

Liquor eases, soothes, and protects. This was Knapp's mantra. It melted down the hurt and distress. Knapp describes herself as being version A and version B. Knapp describes another man she met in AA named Alex, who described himself a gregarious introvert. When he found alcohol, he felt like it was his new elixir. He could talk to anyone at any party. It transformed people into someone that they actually like and can stand to be. Alcohol can feel like the path to one's true self.

When Knapp was younger, she used to meet her friend Sam for drinks after work. They would always go somewhere fancy, like the Ritz. Knapp would have a glass or two before Sam even arrived. There was always an awkward thirty minutes until the drinks...