Certain people demonize alcohol. Whether it be because of personal experience, religious beliefs, or growing up believing that, something that has been around for millennia is still a controversial topic. In all reality, alcohol is a gray area that is hard to navigate.

When I was growing up, alcohol was almost never celebrated. It was viewed as a devilish thing to partake in when I was a child and, honestly, I understand why. Alcohol can be dangerous if you aren't careful with it. The only time I really remember alcohol being celebrated is when Jesus turned water to wine.

As I got older, alcohol wasn't just in cheesy videos shown to us students by our guidance counselors. It was starting to enter our real lives. And, suddenly, it wasn't a demonic thing anymore. It was just a chemical. And once I realized that alcohol is not an evil thing, then part of my worldview changed. And it wasn't dizzy vision from having too much. It was from realizing that for a good majority of my life, I was sheltered.

So, here's the thing about alcohol. As I've said, people make it out to be this evil thing when it's really not. Now, drinking too much can cause you to do stupid things obviously but that's why everyone should know their limits. So, with that said, just because I talk about alcohol or I say I like certain drinks doesn't make me an alcoholic. And you know why that is?

I don't have an addiction to it. I just like it.

If I want to crack open a cold one with the boys, then so help me, I will. If I want to make myself a cocktail after a long day at work, I will. Because I know my limits. I know when enough is enough. And that's what sets me apart from an alcoholic. I have a drink not out of dependence but out of enjoyment.