Slice of Life: ‘Alcohol is spoiling my life but I cannot quit’

I come to Periamet every day from a village near Minjur to work on the platform. Even though I have a sewing machine of my own in my house, I could not earn enough in that village so I started working under another tailor in Periamet. I earn enough money now as many residents trust us to alter their clothes. I have studied up to Class 3 but dropped out of school as I lacked interest. However, I learnt sewing. My brothers are educated and they are in good positions. Now, I realise the value of education and want my son and daughter to do good in education. More than 75 per cent of my earnings is spent on alcohol. I understand that alcohol is spoiling me and that is one of the reasons for my hardship. But I cannot control the urge to drink. Even my family asks me to get treatment for the addiction. I cannot work without alcohol. As my wife works under MGNREGA (100-day employment scheme), she is able to run the family. She also asks me to quit alcohol, but I cannot be myself without it.