alcohol
...going to Harvard started to fade away and was slowly replaced by the urge to have a few cups of beer everyday. Instead of choosing a better path by using his talents, he chose to live more idly rather than going to a well-known university. Many students, favoring lying on their backs and drinking, became worthless individuals. Other teenagers, on the contrary, pushed themselves to the edge of their limits; caused themselves more stress than they can manage, turned to alcohol to relieve their worries, and hoped for their friends’ acceptance. Lynn, my cousin, had such a promising future until she began drinking. Being a role model and an outstanding student in school, she was loved by many friends and family. To be able to pay for her education, she had to work part time while being a full time student. Overwhelmed with work and study, she was always stressed out about everything. Every time Lynn came over to my house, she always rushed things and tried to finish her homework, so she can get to work in time. Due to the fact that she did not receive enough sleep at night, Lynn always had bags under her eyes. As time flew by, she became tired of school and work, so she told her friend Christine to take her to a club to drink the night away. Christine, as a drinker herself, persuaded Lynn that drinking was the only solution to relieve stress. Ignoring her conscience, Lynn decided to try a can. At first, it tasted awful; however, she felt a little relax and her stress began to ease away. Each day, Lynn consumed a little bit more until she became addicted. Therefore, her grades began to drop steadily, and she rarely showed up to work. While partying with her friend, she passed out from too much drinking. As a result, she was taken to the hospital for intoxication. One of my two family members drank heavily, and I just realized the damaging effect that alcohol can bring to our lives. Most fathers in an Asian home know how to drink, and my dad was not an exception. Rather than bringing a paycheck home, he wasted all his money on alcohol. My dad rarely stayed home and spent time with us; he mostly devoted his leisure time at the bar or at his friend's house drinking and gambling. Every time he came home, which was usually very late at night, he just plopped onto the couch and waited for dinner; in his hand was a can of beer. Instead of teaching me not to drink alcohol like ordinary parents would do, he ignored his responsibilities and made himself into very bad role-model. Not only did he ruin his life and family, he also placed himself in danger. After witnessing what happened to my dad, I gained the courage to stand up for myself and deny the persuasive forces of my peers. Seeing how alcoholism has affected Toni, Lynn, and my own father, I strongly disagree that drinking is supposed to give us a safe escape from life. Whelan taught her young daughter how to drink safely, ...