A321
Other / Unknown
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural FAR; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Illness / Injury
Company Policy; Human Factors; Procedure
Our crew had just completed the initial water walk when our C FA (Flight Attendant) told us that the passenger in XAC was very anxious and she wanted to move him. We decided it would be best to put him in the last row so we could keep an eye on him. The passenger then admitted to C FA that he was an alcoholic and that the last two days were very difficult on him. The passenger was coherent and did not appear intoxicated (slurred speech; difficulty standing; etc) however' he would get a nervous leg and at times shaky hands. He did state he would need to consume alcohol during the flight due to the fact that he was an alcoholic. We gave him 2 drinks on our first cart service. One of our FA's who was non revving was seated nearby and offered assistance. She sat with him; conversing and monitoring him while we were doing cart service. We did allow him to continue to have drinks throughout the flight at an intermittent and monitored pace which seemed to calm his physical symptoms of shaking. At no time during the flight was the passenger aggressive or belligerent. He was compliant with FA's and apologized to flight attendants several times throughout the flight.This was not an open and shut case of a 'drunk' passenger in the traditional sense of the word. The situation was precarious as we did not want to risk a possible medical/diversion by not serving him. In retrospect; this was more of a medical type of situation than a disruptive passenger. I recommend further training on this matter.
A321 flight attendant reported having a self reported 'alcoholic' passenger in their flight.