In depth interviews with a sample of 48 male convicted drink drivers, all drinking 50+ units per week, exploring their drinking patterns and styles shows that there is a wide range of drinking patterns and styles and no consistency. Drinking patterns vary over the years, from occasional to daily drinking and are altered by major lifestyle changes. Likewise drinking styles have no consistency but there is a concentration on separating drinking from work-related activities. The quantity consumed on any or each drinking occasion bears no relation to either pattern or style of drinking. The only controlling device is the concept of alcoholic for there is no safe or sensible limits as such. Personal rules for not drinking and driving are associated with going out for a drink rather than drinking per se.