In essence, I am an exclusive killing machine. Still, those forbidden from me somehow find me. I am a destructive and addicting yet highly desirable and almost fashionable habit that ruins people of all kinds and of all ages. I affect those who consume me, and I indirectly affect those associated with those who consume me. I am a leading cause of madness in families, marriages, and friendships across the world. I create liars, addicts, cheaters, and killers, and I change some people for the worst. I often provide the fuel that drives punches and hits exchanged during violent, ugly brawls. I trigger death, divorce, disease, and disaster. Anyone exposed to me is immediately put at risk. I enter the body and slowly destroy its insides.
I am warning you now that I’m not very kind. I will appear so, but my intentions are otherwise. I have the power to change your mood, personality, speech, looks, and even health. In fact, I can and will easily take over your body and mind within moments of consumption. Once you start with me, you won’t want to stop. I will drown your mind, blur your vision, slur your speech, race your heart, pain your stomach, kill your appetite, weaken your strength, and stumble your step. I will become your inner evil.
Remember when you were just a child and your father was your hero? He was the only one who knew the right bedtime stories to tell that put you to sleep at night and you were sure there was nothing he was afraid of. He was there for you during your most prominent childhood milestones: losing your first tooth, riding a two-wheeled bike, your first day of school. After your elementary years though, your sweet memories of your father became quite unclear and distant. That’s where I stepped in and took over your father. He slowly stopped showing up to your dance recitals and couldn’t find much time to play games with you. Soon enough, he was more irritable than ever and didn’t want much to do with you. That’s me. Remember hearing him yell at your mother, insulting her with nasty words? That’s me speaking. Can you remember that long summer night when your father sat in his recliner in the living room for hours, constantly refilling his cup as if he couldn’t quench his thirst? As the night got later, he grew violent. Your mother escaped into her room to avoid clashing or arguing with him. You, being just a child, however, knew no better. Instead of keeping your distance, you chose to stay around him all night, and watch his bitterness progress. That night, you became the victim. That night, it was your cheek that was bruised and battered, after his rage turned into a first striking your face. That night, your father hit you and I made him do it. I told you I was evil.

You’re an adult now, and your father is the same bitter man he’s always been because of me. He’s lost his friends, your mother left him, and he doesn’t have much going for him besides his severe dependence on me. I robbed you of your father, and I will continue to wreck other families such as yours. You have every right to fear me; I ruin lives.
I am alcohol, and I am highly dangerous. Deadly, flammable, toxic, painful, unforgiving. Maybe you’ll learn from your father, maybe not. But I’m late for my next family, time to ruin another life.