When I see a person who cannot control his or her drinking habits, I am always wonder: "What could cause to a person to become an alcohol abuser?" Few months ago, I was shocked by the news that my best friend is now an alcoholic. My friend's name is Angelika. Usually, once a month I call her mother (Angelika has no phone) to find out how things are going back in my former country. Svetlana, my friend's mother, outspoke dejected disappointment concerning her daughter's unconcealed lifestyle.
             In 1977, we were twelve years old girls; my friend and I met during a Junior National swimming competition. I remember, after the finals we were seated in the pool's lobby and waited for the award celebration. In the event we just finished, only a fraction of a second separated us between gold and silver medals. I represented – Sverdlovsk, Russia and Angelika - Minsk, Belarus. After the competition, we were selected to the Junior National Swimming team to participate in the International dual meet between Soviet Union and Germany. Since then, we became very close friends.
             Even though, Angelika was not pretty, she was very charismatic. Her big light green eyes stood out on the slightly elongated, white face. She was not skinny, but yet proportionally slim. Softness of her voice, gentle movements, hesitant look, mousy laugh, her intelligence and ability to listen, rather then talk, made her an all around attractive young lady. Many admirers from the team, including her coach, were attracted to her. She was more mature for her age then other girls. She didn't refuse to go out for a date with older guys and accepted an offer to take few drinks for fun.
             Angelika lost her father; he died from heart attack, when she was ten years old. She told me how he introduced her to beer, when she was only four. Of course, it didn't mean anything at that time. She dearly loved her father and trusted him. Next year ...