Drinking is an extremely common recreational activity for most americans, including those under 21. Most everyone drinks either to celebrate, to mourn, and just to let loose and have a good time. Alcohol is widely accepted and used by most Americans. Everyone is aware it isn’t healthy for you, but most people probably don’t realize the true dangers associated with the misuse of alcohol. I also think that Americans are less aware and educated on alcoholism. Alcoholism is not a widely discussed issue and its definition can be interpreted differently depending on the individual. One of the most dangerous and most common threats that alcohol can pose is that often individuals who are severely impaired can still physically seem okay. The book mentions
I was very one sided as I walked into a AA meeting. I thought that the meeting where boring and little bit too much for people who wont to stop drinking. I couldn’t understand why people look forward to these meeting when they can simply talk to someone at home. Nevertheless, I was wrong. Hearing these people story who suffer from alcohol addiction was very heart breaking. I remember one story about this man losing his son to car accident. The only way he dealt with the pain of losing his son was to drink. He stated ever night he drunk him self-asleep. He was so adamant about telling his story because if it wasn’t for the hospital staff he would have lost his life. Alcoholism is an addiction to the consumption of alcoholic liquor or the mental illness and compulsive behavior resulting from alcohol dependency. alcohol is the main common substance abuse in the united states. The reported show over 16.3 million adults over 18 years older had a least try alcohol in the life time. 71 percent reported that they drank in the past year. 4.7 percent of people ages 18 or older reported that they engaged in binge drinking in the past month. 6.7 percent reported that they engaged in heavy drinking in the past month. 50 percent of marriage fell due to the spouse drinking uncontrollably (Burke, 2015)
Think About how long thirty minutes is. How many thirty minutes are in a day, quite a few, twenty six to be exact. On average one person dies every 30 minutes due to an automobile accident caused by alcohol. Not only does alcohol kill, it clouds decisions, and is involved in a large percent of crime. Alcohol doesn’t stop there it negatively effects our youth. Alcohol is the worst drug problem in the U.S.
According to Andrew Herman, “Each year, 14,000 die from drinking too much. 600,000 are victims of alcohol related physical assault and 17,000 are a result of drunken driving deaths, many being innocent bystanders” (470). These massive numbers bring about an important realization: alcohol is a huge issue in America today. Although the problem is evident in Americans of all ages, the biggest issue is present in young adults and teens. In fact, teens begin to feel the effects of alcohol twice as fast as adults and are more likely to participate in “binge-drinking” (Sullivan 473). The problem is evident, but the solution may be simple. Although opponents argue lowering the drinking age could make alcohol available to some teens not
According to the Dual Diagnosis website, “In 2012, as many as 87.6 percent of American adults over age 18 were reported in a SAHMSA…study to have consumed alcohol at some point in their lives…The National Institutes of Health…estimated that 17 million adults in the United States in 2012 had an alcohol use disorder” (“Disease…”). Approximately one in every 12 people either are abusing alcohol, or they are becoming, if not are, victims of alcoholism (National…). Alcohol consumption is especially known in our society’s culture. There are numerous people who like to drink every now and again in moderation; however, there are far too many people who abuse the alcohol and may even be completely dependent on it. Several
“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
If a foreigner were to come into America one of the most startling facts they would would be our liberal attitude towards alcohol. Alcohol is literally everywhere in America and we are not shameful of our love of it. Our televisions are filled with ads for alcohol beverages portraying happiness, our sport teams and stadiums are sponsored by alcohol companies and not only that but alcohol in America is cheaper and better than ever with thousands of options and varieties. A prime example of our affinity to alcohol would be the Super bowl which had over a 111 million viewers in 2016 and averages over a 100 million viewers every year (Pallotta and Stelter). If one were to tune into the super bowl and view the ads, it is not hard to notice that
In the article “Alcohol: a real threat: alcohol can harm anyone even if teens don’t see themselves as problem drinkers” by Kathiann M. Kowalski there are many reasons given on how one can be a problem drinker and not even realize it.
Alcoholism, the 3rd health related drug problem in the United States. A research on alcohol concluded that “Seven in ten adults or one hundred million Americans, ages eighteen and up are estimated to be drinkers” (Raby). In addition, approximately “10 million of the one hundred million Americans” have developed alcoholism (Raby). Around the late 18th century temperance movements to abolish alcohol were created, eventually abolishing alcohol through the 18th amendment, also known as the Volstead Act which stated “… beverage purposes is hereby prohibited.” (Raby). Unfortunately, it did not last very long, instead of solving problems, it created more. Crime organization, increase growth in bootlegging and consumptions erupted due to the inability
In America, drinking is like a sport. It’s an activity, it’s fun and we love to do it. Drinking is all around us, it’s a social norm. We drink at family parties, sports events, restaurants, etc. Almost anywhere there is alcohol beverages being served. Americans are known for being “binge drinkers” or a bunch of “Alcoholics”. This dates all the way back to our founding fathers. Our first president George Washington spent a full 7% of his income while in office on booze. His infamous farewell party tab totaled over $15,000 present-day dollars just on alcohol (Smith 1). John Adams and his family were also big drinkers, Moreau de St. Méry, a
Alcoholism is still a huge social issue within the US, but steps are being taken to fight this behavior. The U.S. has cut DUI deaths by 50% in the last 2 decades and made alcohol rehabs and alcohol treatment programs more widely available; even to inmates in prisons. (The History of Alcoholism in America. 2011)
Usually, the symptoms of a cold consist of a runny nose, sneezing, congestion, or a fever. So, if people have one or more of these symptoms they fall under the category of sick. Today, alcoholism is viewed in much the same way colds are viewed. Either people are sick or they are not. They are an alcoholic or they are not. An alcoholic is commonly defined as someone that heavily consumes alcohol, or even relies on it. In other words, an alcoholic is an addict. Like how people with colds are labeled as sick, people addicted to alcohol are labeled alcoholics. But, while it often does not make too much of a difference if people have a runny nose or a sore throat when they are sick, whether someone is a moderate addict or a hardcore addict might. “An estimated 17 million Americans have an alcohol-use disorder; nearly 4 million have a dependence, and yet only 1 million are in treatment… ‘Excessive alcohol use is the fourth leading preventable cause of death in the United States,’” yet only a small fraction of people with an alcohol-use disorder seek help (Andrey-Smith). Because alcoholism is viewed in the same way as the cold, one would assume that they would also be treated the same way—most people can do nothing and they will recover on their own. However, alcoholism and the cold are two entirely separate things, so naturally they should be treated like they are, too.
23.1% of all Americans have some alcohol use disorder, also known as AUDs, and 5% of those are children. Alcohol abuse is defined by the repeated drinking of alcohol to the point that it interferes with day to day activities, such as work. Also if you drink more than 7 drinks per week, for women, or 14 per week, for men, then you are considered to have a drinking problem. Alcoholism has dastardly effects on the people themselves and around them. We need to put an end to the emotional, physical, and economic problems caused by the abuse of alcohol.
Alcohol is one of many dangerous substances that effects our bodies. The effects of this drug can be very harmful. Alcohol is a potent non-prescription drug sold to anyone over the national legal drinking age, 21. Unlike other deadly drugs it is easy to access. This makes it easy to over-consume and create a tragic accident, even death. It can damage a person not only physically but also mentally and emotionally. Many people each year become more and more addicted to alcohol and soon experience all of it?s dangerous effects. Even if alcohol use is discontinued, some of these damages can not be cured, because the scars have been left on those that drink and those that surround them. The only hope
Alcoholism is a very serious disease, which can cause illness, death, injuries, schooling problems, family breakups, and crime. It is a proven fact the alcohol kills more people than any other illegal drugs combined. However, alcohol courses freely through American society, from college bars to corporate lunches. In a recent journal article by The Scientist, it is stated, "Technology shows alcohol abuse changes brain's molecular programming and circuitry? (Scientist). Thus revealing that alcohol is a quick fix that will hurt us all in the long run.
The excessive intake of alcohol also referred to as alcoholism can cause diseases as well as negative connotation and lack of responsible social life particularly among the youth who should be the most productive age group in the American population.