Throughout history, humans have engaged in practices that alter their psychological state. There are many reasons why people want to change their mental and emotional state. It's not hard to imagine why the very first alcohol-induced experiment was born out of curiosity. Perhaps one of our ancestors ate fermenting fruit and experienced a pleasant sensation that piqued their curiosity. Curiosity is still a predominant reason for drinking alcohol today. We are bombarded with messages promoting alcohol consumption and we are curious to know what it feels like to consume alcohol. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an original essay Another reason for drinking alcohol is to reduce stress. We live in difficult times and alcohol is seen as a way to reduce our stress. Self-medication for other problems spills over into alcohol consumption. Alcohol can relieve physical and emotional pain. If the person drinking alcohol also takes medication to relieve pain, the effects of alcohol may be intensified. Alcohol is often served at social gatherings and is a normal part of places such as taverns where people go to gather. Many believe that alcohol imparts a sense of social confidence and promotes relaxation in the company of others. This happens because alcohols disinhibit their effects. There is no doubt that loneliness can lead to alcohol use and abuse. Isolation can be another reason for drinking alcohol. People who have poor support networks, reduced mobility, and limited access to transportation may turn to alcohol. This type of situation is particularly common among older people. People benefit from the psychoactive effects of alcohol for a variety of reasons. This provides a feeling of relief and dissociation from reality. A sense of adventure or perhaps a spiritual search is often given as a causal reason for alcohol consumption. Perhaps the most problematic reason for drinking is peer pressure. Many teenagers and students find themselves in situations where alcohol is present. Because young people often lack the self-confidence or refusal skills to handle the pressures of such situations, they often begin to experiment with alcohol. Keep in mind: this is just a sample. Get a personalized article from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Paper EssayPeer pressure, or the direct or indirect encouragement of one's own age group to engage in activities in which they may or may not want to engage, is a major factor in the development of behaviors to risk (e.g., alcohol use, drug use, and tobacco use). Peers act as an influential role model by introducing, proposing, or lobbying for risky activities (i.e., drinking) among other peers. By modeling these behaviors to their peers, students view drinking as a positive and socially acceptable experience. However, what students do not consider are the negative consequences associated with alcohol consumption, particularly in the context of a peer group. For example, the leading cause of death among adolescents aged 17 to 20 is alcohol-related traffic accidents. In addition, approximately 400,000 students aged 18 to 24 have relationships..