Lulu this is purely a question I ask because I am curious... (nothing more - no antagonisim meant).

Why do we drink alcohol? Why do we do it?

I used the word "crutch" which of course you are quite correct it isn't always a crutch. But why do we do it? I just picked up my son from a birthday party & the Dad said: "can't wait to sit down in front of the fire with a red after today"... Now, trust me I get that. I get it. I love it. But I love it because for me it helps me relax. So does valium. But it's acceptable to sit down in front of a fire with a red. With 10mgs of valium not so...

We do this believing we will be in control of what we do. We won't get addicted. We won't do dumb stuff. We can "handle" our grog. We do all of this with the knowledge that it is THE most destructive drug we have readily available - the one that causes the most deaths and injuries...

Why do we as a society drink? I think because it helps us relax. It helps us feel "high" (in that less uptight, more accepting). It helps us feel braver. It is a societal norm...

I am interested to know what others think...