It is wise to be scared of alcohol, for it is a powerful drug. The fact that it is a drug needs to be emphasized, because therein lies the reason for the crazy behavior we experience and exhibit while intoxicated, we are under the influence of a powerful drug. In and of itself, it is merely a beverage, but it is the effect that alcohol has on us that is baffling. We do not black out, do silly, mean or hateful things when drinking a gallon of milk, or ice tea. Eliminate the drug, and we can eliminate the adverse effects of it in our lives. Many of us need considerable help in the elimination of this addiction, and it is an addiction, contrary to what many believe. We become addicted to alcohol, maybe not daily, or hourly like the breath we breath, but many of us became so entrapped that a sober breath was few and far between in the later stages of our progression. You have the gift of youth, and can eradicate many years of misery from your life by seeking help now in learning how to be a well-rounded guy who does not need a social lubricant to feel at ease with life and with others. These are skills we learn, like history and biology, we have to learn about ourselves and what really makes us tick, without any reliance on outside stimuli, such as alcohol or other drugs. It is not easy to learn these things, so we must stay focused, which is one reason why the help of others is so crucial, it helps us stay on track and learn from hard experience those things which do not work for us and do not enrich our lives.
Fortunately, as millions of recovering individuals can attest, life can truly be a wonderful experience. It is not easy, but the hard work pays huge dividends if we stay the course, and avoid the bars and pitfalls associated with alcohol. One last note, no really together lady would like to say, "Well, I knew he was a drunk, had blackouts and the like, but I married him anyway." Staying sober improves your chances at really being the man you want to be.