Since prior to COVID, I haven't gone to a pub by myself. He made me realise just how douchey it looks, drinking by yourself for no apparent reason. Also, the instances of the lonely dickhead who insists on talking to you are gone from my life. You're not a hot girl, I'm not interested in your stories. So I removed a $40+ per visit habit.
The only reason to go by yourself is if you were working nearby a pub and you're just there for lunch for a half hour for a couple of pints, quietly reading the news. I'm under the impression that Rick's there for hours at a time, and there's no reason for it.
I think it's easy to quit liquor and quit/limit beer, but quitting wine is difficult. I've got an unopened bottle of vodka in my cabinet that's been there for four years. I haven't bought a carton of beer in two years. There's just something about evenings and nursing a good glass of red for an hour at a time. Like, you're not getting drunk or waking up hungover, but you're super chilled out. Plus it goes with food, too.
Pat wouldn't understand this because he's an uncultured pig.