Also I should note that I don't classify Hitchens as an alcoholic, and I'm sure neither does he. His alcohol use helped to lubricate social situations and no doubt helped him write as well. He may have been dependent on alcohol to a degree, but I view alcoholism as having a negative affect on his life, whereas he has definitely stated somewhere (i'll try to find interview) that that certainly wasn't the case for him.
I highly doubt he regrets all the drinking and smoking he did -- much, anyways.
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