>Alcohol use is not a cause of wife-beating. It just so
>happens that more drunkards abuse wives. There is a
>correlation, not a cause. Most people who get drunk _don't_
>hit their spouses.

Do you claim that a sober person is just as likely to beat his wife as a drunk one? Alcohol removes inhibitions, so people who normally could restrain their violent urges are more likely to execute that violent urge. So, alcohol is a catalyst for some people. And yes, it too can damage your brain when used excessively, though some positive effects of the use of small doses does exist.