Drinking: A Love Story

According to Knapp, how are alcoholism, anorexia, and other types of addictions expressions of a hunger that is more than just physical?

It took many years for Knapp to recognize that she was an alcoholic and seek treatment for it. What are some of the reasons she identifies for this being such a drawn-out process?

Give a few examples of discoveries Knapp makes about alcoholism by participating in Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). How do these revelations help her come to terms with her addictions?

Discuss the role of lies in Drinking: A Love Story. What role do they play in her life and that of her family? In what ways do they help and hamper her efforts to address her drinking problem?

Knapp says that becoming an active alcoholic is a process that often lacks a clear starting point. What were some key moments in her process, and why are they important to the trajectory of her struggle?

In Chapter 15, Knapp describes a feeling of euphoria that some people develop early in the process of becoming sober. What is the nature of this feeling, and how does it offer hope for the rest of the recovery journey?

Knapp argues that it’s very difficult—perhaps impossible—for a sober alcoholic to resume drinking without succumbing to his or her addiction. Why is this?

How does Knapp’s experience of grieving her parents’ deaths shape her experience of becoming sober and vice versa?