Alcohol plays a significant role both in American and European life and culture. It is an 1COMPANY of celebrations, leisure activities, fine dining, romance, and business deals. Its role is so 2PERVADE and important that its absence in many social situations would be defined as inappropriate and 3DEVIATE. In short, Americans and Europeans live in an alcohol-rich environment. Alcohol consumption and intoxication also serve important psychological and emotional functions. Drinkers seek reduction of tension, guilt, 4ANXIOUS, and frustration. From personal experience and from viewing countless television and movie dramas, we have become 5CUSTOM to people turning to alcohol to cope with a hard day, family problems, or bad news. People also imbibe alcohol to loosen up, let down their hair, release 6INHIBIT, and enhance fantasy and sensuality. Thus we are used to drinking as a prelude to seduction or romance. In addition, people turn to alcohol to 7FORT confidence, enhance self-esteem, and increase aggressiveness. It seems normal for people to have a drink before proposing marriage, asking the boss for a raise, or going into battle. The chemical ingredient that gives alcoholic beverages their 8TOXIC effect is ethyl alcohol.