Neil’s friends began to criticize him for drinking too much and pushed him out of their social circle. neil became bitter, drank even more, and became friends with people who were heavy drinkers. this situation illustrates.

The correct answer is :  The onset of labeling theory

Explanation:

People give a lot of labels based on what we think they are which is based on what society tells us is important. The labels given to a person determines how we interact with him or her and this includes what we believe is deviant.  This theory focuses on society's reaction to deviant behavior. Neil's friend shows this kind of reaction.

secondary deviance of labeling theory or the onset of labeling theory

Explanation:

Labeling theory suggests that the way we label people is how they will tend to become or they will see themselves the way we label them.

It usually associated with criminal behaviour, when we label people as criminals they tend to adopt those deviant behavior due to our labeling.

Secondary deviance occurs when we label people and due to our labeling they engage bin deviant behavior because they start to actual believe that they are what people say they are.

This impact how they associate with others and even who they are as they begin to internalise the labeling as their reality.