Voluntary detox is the type of VD that is good for you.  Thanks to Derek Brown, who has been a driving force in the enhancement of Washington, D.C.'s cocktail scene, for this insightful article about why he stops drinking during the month of January (click here to read it).

All cocktail lovers should have their own periods of voluntary detox.  When and for how long is up to you.  For me this article illustrated the dichotomy between wanting something and needing something.  If you want a cocktail, get one.  If you need a cocktail, get help. To paraphrase one of the many great lines from the wonderful baseball movie Bull Durham -- cocktails are fun, okay?  Fun goddamnit!

Just remember -- candlesticks always make a nice gift (if you've seen the movie, you probably can't watch a mound conference without thinking about that hilarious scene).