The problem is that it's also responsible for a tremendous cost in terms of life, resources, and human misery. Drunk driving alone account for a quarter of 1.25

The problem is that it's also responsible for a tremendous cost in terms of life, resources, and human misery. Drunk driving alone account for a quarter of 1.25 annual fatalities on the roads worldwide. I don't know how many people die from alcoholism, or have their lives shortened by it, lost wages, downstream effects of kids raised by alcoholic parents, etc... but it's certainly not a small issue. So yeah the ease of getting the stuff and the social acceptance makes it popular, but is it a good idea? Drugs like caffeine, khat, and mild psychedelics have much more favorable therapeutic indices and a better track record in terms of death and illness, never mind be a lot less physically addictive and much MUCH easier to quit.