Hardly patronising to point out the arrogance of believing that you could instantly tell an alcoholic from a binge drinker, something even a consultant in the field wouldn't claim to do on the strength of a visit to A&E, not that such a consultant is likely to be found in A&E at pub closing time.

Even when the difference could be diagnosed (after a series of visits and consultation), a demand for payment would be absolutely opposed to the ideals of those who created the NHS and the Welfare State.

Don T.