Alcohol is a widely available drug which has been consumed by humans for almost 9,000 years, so far as we know.
Various reasons have been given for the consumption of alcohol, focusing on its personality altering effects and ability to remove inhibitions. These effects are considered to have so much potential for danger that alcohol is controlled almost everywhere, whether with a total ban, age restricted access, or volume related access. It nevertheless remains very accessible especially in western societies and despite heavy ‘sin’ taxes, relatively inexpensive.
‘Liquid courage’ or courage found in a bottle has fuelled armies for thousands of years, enabling men to attempt and often succeed at seemingly impossible feats.
Alcohol addiction is considered (rightly so) as one of the scourges of modern times. It is devastating to health, however I consider alcohol a symptom, rather than the cause of addiction, because it is so readily available, partly legal and cheap, it is the drug of choice for those who seek drugs. But as Gabor Mate points out, ‘Trauma is the gateway’ to addiction, the substance is secondary.
You will be in competition with people who are on complex, expensive, often prescribed substances which will have a significant effect on their performance. To remain competitive it is useful to use alcohol in a controlled way to improve performance.
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