: Re: How to write a "functioning" addict protagonist and it not get repetitive? A sub-plot of my story, is that the protagonist is struggling with addiction to alcohol due to past events (which happen

@Margaret427

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Without knowing more about your character I cannot be specific but the revelation is probably dripped . . . similar to the style of a good "whodunnit", a nuanced 'show' of clues.

Why is he always sucking on a breath mint?
Have him make simple errors (forgetfulness).

"I'll see you tomorrow," he said, pulling on his coat.

"Tomorrow's Saturday," replied Jane. "The office is closed on Saturday."

Or . . .

"Can you cancel my meeting with Tom?"

"You asked me that this morning. I did straight away. You were standing here when I made the call."

Have him refuse to attend social events where he knows there's alcohol.
Have somebody ask him why he no longer drives his car.
Show phone calls waking him up during relatively sociable hours, and when the caller says, "Did I wake you?" - Have him lie. He will miss lot of calls when passed-out or in no fit state. He will provide a string of lies; _the phone was on silent, the battery was dead, the phone was in the other room, I left my phone at X.

Together with loss-of-appetite and a general lack of enthusiasm, these are a few pointers. Feel free to use them, or not.

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