Moralising Alcoholics

Last night, I was once again coerced into swearing off a substance.

Why is it that people feel the need to focus on my methods of sedation over their own, socially accepted techniques? It seems that my friends won't be happy until they have succesfully driven me to alcoholism on par with their own crippling addiction.

There is a very direct societal analogue to be observed here. Everyone has a tendency to numb, blur or even destroy their perception of reality from time to time. In such a harsh world, this kind of escapism is only natural. But there seems to be very few acceptable ways of doing this nowadays.

To relieve the stress of everyday life, it is completely satisfactory to get absolutely polluted with alcohol. But how many fights, verbal or otherwise, do we observe on a weekly basis due to this over indulgence of drink? How many people have been adversely affected by liver problems derived from alcoholic binges? It is my opinion therefore, that society has put emphasis on the wrong method of sedation.

I do not intend to post a pious "legalise it" rant. Rather, this is a suggestion that alcoholics, coffee addicts and heavy smokers look at their own vice, before condemning mine.

-The English Student