Alcohol In American Society

The history of Americans and alcohol began with the Mayflower. Most long term ships during the 1600’s included a large amount of alcohol because it was more sanitary than water and being on a boat for weeks and also helped pass time (143). During the time of settlement in the Newly discovered America, drinking was connected to religion. “Drink is in itself a good Creature of God, and to be received with thankfulness,” wrote Increase Mather, the famed Puritan preacher, “But the abuse of drinking is from Satan.” (144). Arguably after three centuries of differing opinions, this is how alcohol is perceived today.

Throughout history, society has engaged in taking substances such as alcohol, that alter our physical being or our psychological state of mind. There are many experiences and pressures that force people to feel like they have to drink in order to cope with life, but for many alcohol is a part of everyday life, just like any other beverage. Alcohol is introduced to us in many ways, through our family, television, movies, and friends’. These “sociocultural variants are at least as important as physiological and psychological variants when we are trying to understand the interrelations of alcohol and human behavior”#. How we perceive drinking and continue drinking can be determined by the drinking habits we see, either by who we drink with,

Alcohol use has spanned history. In fact, there is speculation that alcohol use actually preceded the formation of societies (Doweiko, 2015, p. 30). Thus, alcohol has long been a part of mankind’s life. The function of alcohol has unarguably changed throughout the course of history, as it was first used for nutritional purposes and then later on for religious purposes (Doweiko, 2015, p. 32). Today, alcohol serves a social purpose. In the United States, the prevalence of use is quite high, with just over 50% of the population partaking monthly (Doweiko, 2015, p. 34). This statistic is somewhat alarming considering alcohol use comes with a number of potential adverse consequences. Case in point, even

Drinking was very common among the early European colonist. Alcohol served different purpose in their everyday lives. Alcohol used as a substitute of drinking water because water was contaminated also alcohol used for medical purposes to overcome fatigue, soothing indigestion and pain. People started to drink more when the hard liquors became more available and local brewing had increased. Between 1800 and 1830, the annual per capita alcohol consumption in the United States was estimated to be between 5 and 9.5 gallons, compared with 2.6 in 1978.[American journal ] Furthermore, the kind of alcohol use that was usually reported was far more socially harmful than is usual today. Indeed, alcohol provided an uncontrolled opportunity or unacceptable behavior. No doubt, self-selection of

In the United States, responsible intake of alcohol is socially acceptable, but a majority of the population chooses to overlook its negative consequences. The over consumption of alcohol can not only lead to alcoholism, but to other damaging effects to the body and mind. Many are unaware of the genetic, social, and environmental factors associated with alcohol consumption, as well as age, gender and cultural differences. The negative consequences of alcohol are extensive and outweigh the short term effects. For example, one out of every four family members suffers or will suffer from alcoholism in a lifetime (Chase, 1990). Alcoholism is a primary, chronic disease with genetic, psycho-social, with environmental factors influencing the development

Alcohol has long been a subject of controversy. Long before man understood the indications and contraindications of alcohol there has been laws against this drug. Classifying alcohol as a drug may not be suited for a majority of the population because people like to partake in drinking. Imbibing in alcohol is a tradition in many parts of the country. We use alcohol for celebrations, traditions, socialization and combining food flavors with specific alcohols. Forgetting that too much can lead to many issues and problems like alcoholism, liver disease and contraindications with other medications. Alcohol was extremely detrimental to the native Americans of this land.

In his book, The Alcoholic Republic: An American Tradition, William J. Rorabaugh makes the argument that early American society was a place where alcohol flowed freely through every level of society. Americans in the late eighteenth century and into the nineteenth century partook in so widely it was one of the defining characteristics of the culture of the early United States. Using data collected from censuses, surveys, and reports from those who traveled across the country in its early years, Rorabaugh concludes that the drinking in the United States found no barriers with age, sex, race, class, or location. But his assumptions and conclusion are not proved strongly enough by hard evidence and data to be considered a reliable narrative of the early America.

Alcohol is the most abused licit psychoactive drugs that affect one 's ability to think rationally and distorts their judgement if consumed excessively. Alcohol addiction is an illness arising from prolonged and excessive intake of alcoholic drinks. An alcoholic is a person suffering from alcohol addiction. Prolonged excessive use of large quantities can eventually lead to chronic health diseases like cirrhosis of the liver, anaemia, cardiovascular disease, dementia, depression seizures, gout and alcohol related accidents and crime. Statistics show that 9 million people in England drink more than the recommended daily intake while an estimated 8.697 died of alcohol-related deaths in 2014. According to the WHO worldwide alcohol causes 1.8 million deaths (3.2% of total) and 58.3 million (4% of total) of Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs). Alcohol beverages with varied percentage content are consumed globally during religious, social, cultural events, festivals and other occasions. The use of alcoholic beverages has been an integral part of many cultures for thousands of years (McGovern, 2009). Over the centuries, there have been ongoing measures, research, interventions and policies which are aimed at promoting the moderate use of alcohol with a particular emphasis on preventing or reducing undesired outcomes. This essay will outline the key components of brief interventions in alcohol, the difference in approach with traditional methods of treatment and in conclusion, the

The history of alcohol and drug abuse can be dated back for hundreds of years around the world; in addition, the side effects from abuse can last just as long. The extent of alcohol and drug abuse may change dramatically due to societal views and normality such as the Prohibition era and the legalization of medicinal marijuana. Understanding alcohol and drug abuse means that one must not examine the behavior of the drinker, but also the place, time, and context of the consumption of drugs and alcohol. Dating back to the Mayflower, the New World welcomed the brewing of beer and ale as a tradition of the early culture. The consumption of alcohol was excessive- it was consumed from the crack of dawn to the crack of dawn, at work, alone, together,

The use of alcohol has been dated back thousands of years past the Egyptians and Greeks, drinking wine or beer was not an uncommon sight to see thousands of years ago and although times have changed its still not uncommon to see someone drinking today. Fermenting grains or fruits simplifies the processes of making the substance we call “booze”. Drug-Free World’s “The Truth about Alcohol” provides information to anyone free on the Internet about alcohol, the drug, we commonly consume today. It not only tells us that alcohol is a depressant but explains to us a depressant is a drug that slows down our bodily function systems. Drug-Free World also explains why people drink, the reactions that happens to these people, and tells us that

During the 19th century, women did not have many rights at all, so when their already demanding husbands would lose coherence as a result of drinking, the women would get the brute end the stick and hand (WQLN). Found in The Drunkards Home by S.F Cary illustrates the brutality of a drunken man to his family (Cary). Stemming from this was the effect on the self, the individual. By the 19th century drinking had begun at such a young age where drinking in high excess was completely normal (WQLN). However, as Brinkley mentions, Evangelical Protestants, and later reformists such as the American Society for the Promotion of Temperance and the Washington Temperance Society sought out prohibition for the purpose of safety and security for the United States of America (Brinkley, 327). The country could no further progress with a beer in hand, but they could with assistance from these groups especially the Protestants, through religious revivals, prayer and action (Brinkley). The Antebellum Era is only the beginning of this reform, but the Protestants helped ignite this issue to a blaze of controversy for later years

“Alcohol is a drug that has been passed down from generation to generation.” The alcohol industry makes people believe that with out the drinks there would be no holidays, no parties, no family gatherings. They tell you that you are cool if you drink. They have ads with amazing places, beautiful woman, and fun parties to promote drinking. What they don't tell you are all the casualties that are caused from the alcohol. 88,000 people in the United States alone pass away from alcohol related causes every year and 31% of car crashes are due to being impaired from alcohol. The War on Alcohol by Anna Quindalen was written to provide information about the negative effects of alcohol for not only the person drinking but the people around them. She

The consumption of alcoholic beverages has been present in societies ever since the discovery of how to make these traditional substances. Alcohol has been around for centuries, dating back as far as the Neolithic Era. When people think of alcohol, their minds tend to wander towards the idea that it can only result in negative ways; however, alcohol has been used throughout the centuries in a celebratory manner. Civilizations have praised the making of alcohol because it has aided them in their celebration of the Gods, has helped them relax in times of trouble, and was a beneficial substance to their diets whenever food was scarce. In the United States, it is also used in a celebratory manner at many festivities and presents the public with

Alcohol is America’s primary narcotic drug problem. When one hears of the word “prohibition”, images of the Great Gatsby-era 1920s and the eighteenth amendment most likely come to mind. It was, in fact, the political party so rightfully named the Prohibition Party who was behind the liquor ban movement.

Alcohol has been the lifeblood of civilization dating thousands of years back in time, and it is clear to see the culture impact it has made throughout history. People perceive alcohol in many different ways; depending on gender, age, religious background, or social upbringing. Throughout history alcohol has affected different cultures and various demographics. It has been a source of pleasure and aesthetic in many cultures, along with being one of the oldest rites of passage, especially in modern day American society. Alcohol and drinking were also an integral part of religious observances throughout history and culture. The use of alcohol can be seen as a social lubricant, and besides being a thirst quencher, it can play a pivotal role