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People can and do drink and smoke alone. Indeed, lonely people may turn to alcohol for self-medication. And of course those addicted to nicotine have to smoke regardless of whether other people are around. That will just make the problem worse.

Besides, smoking has largely been banned from buildings, so that habit doesn't make it convenient to gather with others, except perhaps huddled outside the door.

But I don't think it makes a diff. My friend circle has had a few guys drop into hermit mode. We have tried all kinds of things to pull them out, but it's like they have decided monastic life or whatever is their thing.

Do tell more.

>We have tried all kinds of things to pull them out

Why?

I know enough cases of heavy smokers and drinkers who are also asocial (if not shut-in) to be wary of this kind of assertions...

I'd opt for an AI friend first