When I was a sophomore in high school, I took a substance abuse class. At that time period, I did not realize that alcohol abuse actually was a sub division of drug abuse. While taking this class and learning more about drug and alcohol abuse, I read a lot about Alcoholic Anonymous, their meetings, how their programs have twelve steps, and how successful the Alcoholics Anonymous recovery program has been for people throughout the world. I also learned a lot about alcohol treatment and the diverse alcohol rehab facilities that are repeatedly available to people who engage in heavy drinking.

Some of the detrimental outcomes associated with alcoholism and alcohol abuse that I learned about in this class undeniably terrified me. The ruined lives and many serious issues experienced by most alcohol addicted individuals made me feel like I never wanted to drink alcohol when I became old enough. In a word, I did not want to face the wreckage and destruction that alcohol dependent individuals almost always go through.

Ponder upon this for a moment. What fifteen-year-old teenager wants to face premature death due to his or her drinking behavior? What adolescent wants to become so out-of-control regarding his or her drinking that drinking alcohol becomes the object of one’s life? What young person wants to go to one of the local alcoholic rehabilitation centers to deal with alcohol-related problems before he or she becomes an adult?

What teenager wants to go through alcohol withdrawal symptoms when he or she tries to quit drinking? Why would an individual engage in drinking to such an extent that it would cause difficulties in every area of his or her life? Drinking later in life after a person has a career, a family, and develops personal responsibilities makes sense. But why would a teenager want to sacrifice his or her education, employment, finances, and relationships for a life that centers on abusive drinking?

These issues were so meaningful that I discussed some of them in class throughout the school year. What was entirely astounding to me was the number of students who simply didn’t care about the harmful results of irresponsible drinking that I discussed. It was almost as if they couldn’t be bothered with reality and how these outcomes can destroy their lives. For the first time in my life I started to comprehend something that my grandfather used to say to me all through my youth: you can lead a horse to water but you can’t force it to drink.