Not all p-docs are so strict. My friend is a p-doc with extensive experience and he ok's occasional consumption (but not on benzos) for holidays, partly, I believe, because he likes alcohol himself and does not feel like restricting his patients too much, and partly, I think, because he recognizes the huge social cost of total abstinence. So alcohol is a depressant (to me it isn't, btw)? How about being singled out and having to say no to something everyone else enjoys as part of the holiday cheer - is not that MORE depressing? One needs to go with the lesser evil. I will now look up the allowed quantity of beer for you. Also please eat food while you drink.