Alcohol abuse: overview

In the 1800s, the average adult American consumed almost seven liters of whiskey annually, three times today's annual consumption. However, at the time, few people drinking whisky throughout the day were excessive or unusual. Most Americans considered whiskey as a drink special l America, as the France had wine and beer England had. Corn, the ingredient of whisky database, a summer of abundant and is cultivated. Surplus crops that could not be transported economically could be transformed into whisky which optative be moved easily. Other forms of alcohol have been superfluous consumed as well. Apples have been transformed into cider in the Northeast, while sugar cane became the rum in the deep South. Despite the movements to eliminate or reduce the consumption of alcohol, Americans remain among heavy consumers of alcohol in the world. Excessive consumption of alcohol, however, can easily lead to abuses. Alcohol abuse is closely linked to contemporary social problems such as drunk driving, the "roaming, spouse and child abuse and economic ruin. ''

Eighteenth amendment

The first attempts to limit alcohol consumption were based on voluntary compliance. The monetary benefits of abstinence were evident. Workers are more productive, families had more money, and the company was more secure. The leaders of the movement of voluntary abstinence were Protestant clergy who attacked "demon rum" and condemned drunkenness as a sin. In 1841, six craftsmen in Baltimore formed the Washington Temperance society, the Prime Minister for the former heavy drinkers. Many reformers realized that voluntary abstinence is not enough. They have requested the right to prohibit the sale and alcohol consumption. Starting from the 1870s, women organizations have taken the lead in trying to ban alcohol. Gradually, public opinion is tournament against distilled spirits, beverages with lower alcohol content. After the civil war, the consumption of spirits has been replaced by that of beer, thanks to the influence of German immigrants. Because the laws by State to ban alcohol at the turn of the century have failed, many reformers did campaign for an amendment to the Constitution. In 1917, Congress adopted a national ban on the production and selling alcohol. In part, it was accepted as a wartime measure to preserve grain. The eighteenth amendment took effect in 1920. During the 1920s, the 'noble experiment' failed and prohibition was repealed in 1933. Government control of replaced by alcohol tries to ban.

There is no definition generally choked misuse alcohol. While most people would agree that it includes a pathological use of alcohol at the expense of the health of the individual, career and social position, no objective quantitative measure does exist. Such groups as the American Psychiatric Association have developed diagnostic tools that can help physicians determine whether an individual is an alcoholic, but these tools still have limits. A rule that accepts most of the groups, this is someone who abuses alcohol cannot go a day without a drink. Power outages, participating in activities dangerous while under the influence and drink are classified also the alcohol for the layman. Other behaviors that resemble those of drug addicts to other substances are considered as evidence of the abuse.

The causes of alcohol abuse are also pay an undetermined period. The reformers of the 19th century referred to as individuals in a state of "drunk as"drunks"and considered that they had made a choice. During the 20th century, the term "alcoholic" was adopted. Many professionals come to see alcoholism as a disease suffered some individuals. This point of view is not choked by all. Some have criticized it because of viruses, bacteria or other agents could be identified as someone with abusing alcohol. Others did not like this explanation because it implied that an individual had little, if any, responsibility for having abused alcohol. Instead of being a bad person, they have become a victim. Genetic advances promise to reveal whether there is a genetic cause for alcoholism, similar to that of heart disease or high blood pressure.

Drinking beer while driving man

Forbid has proved that alcohol could not be banned. Instead, in recent years, reformers have tried to use a combination of laws and public opinion to limit its abuse and change the attitudes of the public towards the consumption of alcohol. Federal and state laws have placed high on alcohol taxes, discourage some purchase for many. The sale of spirits was generally limited to specialty stores, with age restrictions. Beer generally had fewer restrictions and has been sold in more than man, often with an age to consume less. The federal Government has also encouraged Member States to CLIQUEADOR the accepted for drivers 'BAC. Rate level Recent studies indicate that alcohol abuse is particularly dangerous in young people. As a result, most states have adopted laws restricting advertising for products alcoholic within their borders. These restrictions are advertising that targets minors, images of children in alcohol, advertising and combining alcohol with athletics.

Logo of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD)

Groups who have actively tried to change public opinion towards alcohol consumption and abuse: mothers against drunk driving (MADD). Founded by a mother does the daughter was killed by a drunk driver. MADD has actively lobbied legislators and worked among young people. Additional groups, such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), do not try to limit alcohol consumption, but would see that some people cannot drink without serious consequences.

Alcohol abuse remains a serious problem in the United States. While everyone recognizes that this is dangerous, prevention methods of abuse and even its root causes are spaces. Legislation and law enforcement was unable to ' adequately impaired driving and consumption of minor. Public opinion has not turned against alcohol consumption, although most agree that customers must be responsibly Aperta.

Other References

Edwards, Griffith. Alcohol: Favourite drug in the world. New York: St. Martin Press, 2003; Jung, John. Psychology alcohol and other drugs: A research perspective. Thousand Oaks, CA: Wise Publications, 2005. Prêteur, Mark Edward and James Kirby Martin. Drinking in America: A history. New York: Free Press, 1987.