[wuliwong]

The implication that this gentlemen became an alcoholic because he quit his corporate job and became an entrepreneur seems pretty far fetched. The guy was probably either already an alcoholic or didn't actually become one. There's a huge difference between drinking to cope with stress and drinking because you are an alcoholic. The latter needs no stress to cause him/her to drink.

[richardjordan]

I don't think you're correct here.

The stresses of being an entrepreneur take a tremendous toll and given the risk-taking nature of the condition (entrepreneurialism) I absolutely see those stresses lead to dangerous and addictive behaviors in those who follow an entrepreneurial path - whether it's drugs, drink, sex or gambling I have seen all behaviors triggered in individuals.

The absolutism of your position on what does/does not constitute an alcoholic and what triggers the behavior is misplaced.

[wickedOne]

i think what he's trying to say is that becoming an alcoholic over a stupid decision and the resulting stress is a bit far fetched…

i second that; you might increase the amount you're drinking on a dailly basis for a bit of relief, but that has absolutely nothing to do with being an alcoholic.

[wuliwong]

Yes, I'm trying to say that being an entrepreneur is stressful but it is just so glorified in our circles. This is one of the biggest reasons I wanted to leave the ivory tower of academia because I was so tired of the incestuous little circles of grad students and professors telling each other how much smarter than everyone else they were.

I have 15 years of experience working with drug addicts and alcoholics and the stresses that I hear people trying to get sober have dealt with are often rape, abuse suffered as a child, molestation suffered as a child, loss of a parent when they were very young or just growing up in an alcoholic home. You must be able to admit that these stresses dwarf "being an entrepreneur." In comparison, most people handle starting their own business without it wrecking them but very few people can handle getting raped, or abused as a child without some really serious psychological consequences.

And there are always outliers and exceptions but if that is all this guy is, then it seems pretty disingenuous to use him in an article like this.

[wuliwong]

There is literally some HN troll following my comments across the site and down-voting them all. LOL. Get a life.