"SPIRITS"

"I got sober. I stopped killing myself with alcohol. I began to think: 'Wait a minute - if I can stop doing this, what are the possibilities?' And slowly it dawned on me that it was maybe worth the risk." - Craig Ferguson

In the sixteenth century, alcohol ( “spirits”) was used largely for medicinal purposes. At the beginning of the eighteenth century, the British parliament passed a law encouraging the use of grain for distilling spirits. Cheap spirits flooded the market and reached a peak in the mid-eighteenth century. In Britain, gin consumption reached 18 million gallons and alcoholism became widespread. In 1920 the US passed a law prohibiting the manufacture, sale, import and export of intoxicating liquors. Today, an estimated 15 million Americans suffer from alcoholism and 40% of all car accident deaths in the US involve alcohol.

Alcoholism almost always leaves a trail of tragedy in it's path; it has claimed the lives of many; including gifted artists, musicians and writers etc, over the past decades. Take a look;

John Bonham (1948–1980): Excessive alcohol led to the tragic death of Led Zeppelin drummer John “Bonzo” Bonham, best known for his drum solo on the song “Moby Dick.” He was found dead of asphyxiation from vomit after a night of heavy drinking, on his way to rehearsals for an upcoming tour.

Steve Clark (1960–1991): Guitarist for Def Leppard. A heavy drinker, he died in his London home of a lethal combination of alcohol and drugs.

Michael Clarke (1946–1993): American musician, drummer for The Byrds. He died of liver failure after three decades of heavy alcohol consumption.

Brian Connolly (1945–1997): Scottish rock vocalist and lead singer for Sweet. His drinking problem caused him to leave the band in 1978; he reunited years later but his drinking had damaged his health and he died of liver failure in 1997.

Oliver Reed (1938–1999): British actor known for his roles in Oliver!, Women in Love, The Three Musketeers and Gladiator. He died from a sudden heart attack during a break from filming Gladiator. He was heavily intoxicated after 3 bottles of rum, 8 bottles of beer and numerous doubles of whiskey.

Alcohol or alcoholism are twin evils, that has sent many to early graves, destroyed lives and still doing so. There's absolutely NOTHING beneficial in consuming alcohol. When you are intoxicated by it, the reality of your situation hits you harder afterwards, when it clears.