DR. WALLACE: I'm 19 and my boyfriend is 21. We love each other very much and might get married sometime after Easter. He's a great guy and I do want to get married to him, but one thing really bothers me. He drinks an awful lot.

The only time we ever argue is when he has been drinking. Not only that, but he sometimes drives after he has been drinking, and he also has driven while sipping a bottle of beer. When he is tipsy and we're at a party, I always call my sister to pick me up because I refuse to ride with him when he has been drinking too much. Other than the drinking he is a great guy and this is his only flaw. He's intelligent, kind, polite and fun to be with when he isn't drinking. Except for this, he's a perfect guy.

He has told me that after we're married, he will get help from Alcoholics Anonymous and stop drinking for good. I'd marry him tomorrow if I was positive this would happen. I'm hesitant because he has already had a ticket for driving under the influence.

Do you think it's possible that he will keep such a promise? I'm not so sure if this will happen. — Cautious, Kewanee, Ill.

CAUTIOUS: Trust me, it's not worth the gamble. If for some reason he doesn't keep his promise, your life could be filled with nothing but trouble, torment and heartbreak. Alcoholism is a very serious disease, and there is no simple cure for it.

Alcoholics can, however, recover and live happy, productive lives if they totally abstain from alcohol. If this young man is serious about wanting to stop consuming alcohol, then have him seek help now, before you even consider planning a wedding.

Alcoholics Anonymous is considered to be the most effective treatment program although some serious drinkers may need additional medical, psychiatric or group therapy assistance.

Remember, alcoholic recovery requires total abstention from alcohol. A return to drinking even after years of complete sobriety can trigger all the old symptoms. Among recovered alcoholics, there is a very common saying: "It's the first drink that causes the problem." And this means beer, wine or whiskey.

I'm not trying to frighten you. I just want you to be aware of the facts. Again, don't marry him until you are 100 percent positive that he is in a recovery program and has stopped consuming alcohol.

Check the telephone book under either AA or Alcoholics Anonymous to find the nearest group. For additional information, please write to Alcoholics Anonymous, General Service Headquarters, P.O. Box 459, Grand Central Station, New York, N.Y.

YOU ARE NOT BEING VAIN

I'm 16 and have a "strawberry" birthmark on my stomach so I don't spend much time at the beach because I'm very self-conscious about my birthmark.

A friend told me about a process where the birthmark can be eliminated by a laser beam. Doctors at Stanford University discovered and have perfected this procedure. I contacted our family doctor, but he thought the cost of the nearly $8,000 procedure would be prohibitive. I have $2,000 in my savings account and my parents said they would loan me the additional money if I decide to have the laser beam treatment.

Do you think I should go ahead with it, or do you feel I'm being too vain? —Carley, Reno, Nev.

CARLEY: No, you are not being vain. If a birthmark is causing you to be self-conscious and there is a safe way to remove it, you should be all means do so. It is also possible that the procedure could be even less than your family doctor has estimated. You can contact the Stanford Medical School and ask them to send you information regarding the details of this laser treatment and the approximate cost of it. After reading this material, you and your parents can make an informed decision.

Dr. Robert Wallace welcomes questions from readers. Although he is unable to reply to all of them individually, he will answer as many as possible in this column. Email him at [email protected]. To find out more about Dr. Robert Wallace and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.