> So why do people drink? The same reason they smoke, I suppose. They are trying to look cool and impress others. That mostly applies to young people, because older people who become alcoholics sometimes drink to relieve pain, or the pain of failure. As a solution, it ranks right up there with Russian roulette.
> Howard

Have to disagree with you there. Quite a lot of people drink beer, or wine, or hard liquor simply because it tastes good.

I drink beer and wine. I don't drink it to look cool or impress others. I don't drink it to relieve pain, nor do I use alcohol as a crutch.

I like the taste of it. I always have. I too have firsthand experience in seeing the effects of alcoholism on people, but I still drink.

A lot of people drink for all the reasons you listed above, but I think the vast majority of people drink because they simply enjoy the taste.

-Kelly