"Also" is an obsolete word. It has been usurped by "as well." No one says "also" anymore. This is almost starting to annoy me as much as "utilize." Now, I don't mind an "as well" here and there, but when all I hear is "as well," it starts to get under my skin. Just a little. My English teacher, for example, says "as well" all the time. The news media says "as well" all the time. The voice-over on the training video I had to watch yesterday used "as well" four times in about two minutes.
"As well as" in the middle of a sentence, on the other hand, doesn't bother me, since there's really no more economic replacement. Just "as well" when used to mean "also."
I think people are using it because they think it makes their subject sound more important and intelligent. When my friends start talking about the stock market, they say "as well," but when they're talking about television, they say "also." I'm basing that only on one days' worth of observation, so don't hold me to that. What exactly does "as well" mean, anyway?
I'm sure I say "as well," as well. It's pretty ingrained.