Blind Drunk:

A Sober Look at Our Boozy Culture

Blind Drunk: A Sober Look at Our Boozy Culture, Author Veronica Woodruff

Veronica’s debut memoir, Blind Drunk: A Sober Look at Our Boozy Culture, weaves together personal history, cultural commentary, and scientific insight to examine the way alcohol shapes families, communities, and identities. Traversing from her privileged childhood marred by her parents drinking addictions which leads to family destitution, to years behind the bar in Whistler’s legendary nightlife scene, to a fulfilling professional career in environmental science; Veronica offers a raw, compassionate, and often humorous look at how alcohol permeates every corner of our lives—while continuously considering if it still serving us as the premier social lubricant.

Available for purchase anywhere you buy books or visit Tide Water Press.

Book Club
Discussion Guide

Personal Reflection

  • Veronica’s story is deeply personal. How did her family dynamics shape your understanding of alcoholism and its impact on children?

  • Did any part of Veronica’s experience resonate with your own or challenge your assumptions?

Alcohol Culture and Society

  • The book explores how alcohol is woven into celebrations, grief, work, and sports. How do you see this reflected in your own community or social circles?

  • Veronica discusses the normalization of drinking and its invisibility. Why do you think society often overlooks the harms of alcohol despite widespread awareness?

Sobriety and Identity

  • How does Veronica portray sobriety - not as moral judgment but as personal liberation?

  • What challenges and opportunities does sobriety present in a culture where alcohol is so deeply ingrained?

Family and Coping

  • How do different family members in the memoir cope with their parents’ drinking?

  • How does the book explore the theme of resilience in families affected by alcoholism?

Science and Advocacy

  • Veronica incorporates scientific research alongside her story. How did this affect your understanding or engagement with the topic?

  • What role do you think education and open dialogue can play in changing drinking culture?

Broader Implications

  • What changes, if any, would you like to see in societal attitudes or policies around alcohol?

  • How can individuals and communities support healthier relationships with alcohol?