How American Culture Influences Alcoholism

Back in colonial America, alcohol was viewed as a blessing. Occasional drunkenness was tolerated as part of everyday life. For example, children were regularly exposed to alcohol and even taught how to drink to help them accept the idea of consuming small amounts in future. As a result of uncertainty towards alcohol, today, we see the final result of alcoholism that was rooted in their cultural ambivalence towards the social character of drinking.

Liquor Addiction Does not lead to Violent Actions.

In the United States, there have been several reports about drunken violent behaviour. Many anthropological studies prove that liquor-related violence is a behaviour that someone picks up on the way of becoming an alcoholic. However, it is an avoidable behaviour despite being a heavy drinker. Moreover, different people use diverse techniques to comport themselves. It is not determined by the amount of liquor they have consumed instead of how their specific societies teach them concerning the state of drunkenness.

American Cultural Groups and Alcoholism

In some cultures, alcohol drinking is part and parcel of religious rites and social customs where alcohol consumption is regulated by tradition. Self-control and friendliness are matters of pride and the ability to control your alcohol intake. However, cultures that include alcohol during specific celebrations are not likely to develop any drinking problem compared to those that practice alcohol drinking on every occasion.

When someone is looking forward to quitting alcohol, the first step is reducing the consumption of alcohol slowly. There is a relationship between the amount of liquor consumed and the problem that accompanies the use of alcohol. People drink for different reasons. For example, some people drink because they are stressed, and whiskey keeps them a step away from doing something terrible, while others drink for fun and pass the time. Moreover, efforts at increasing controls are efficient and recommended on the premises that liquor-related problems occur in the amount to per capita consumption.

Alcohol Consumption and the American Youth

The minimum legal age for alcohol consumption in the United States is 21 years. However, the case is different because, in reality, young people are introduced to drinking as early as sixteen years old. In some families, children as young as 14 years are allowed to take alcoholic beverages after meals. Even children as young as two years are given half a glass of water slightly sweetened by alcoholic drinks. By the time a child is in his or her late teens or early twenties, alcoholism is already a part of daily life.

The best way to avoid alcoholism is by avoiding consumption under any circumstance. However, it is challenging to stop the young folks from drinking because alcohol is a part of life. Therefore, Americans teach their children to drink moderately. Unfortunately, this is unsuccessful since most of the alcoholics in the United States are young folks between the ages of 18 and 30. One drink leads to another, and if not controlled, alcoholism develops.

Alcoholic Drinks and Social Attributes

Time Immemorial The American culture associate alcohol consumption with positive attitudes. This habit has existed for ages and passes from one generation to another. Alcoholic drinks and beverages bring pleasure during festive occasions, weddings, parties, and all other types of celebrations. When asked, the majority of American citizens state that drinking improves their social skills and assists them in controlling emotions such as distress, sorrow, anxiety, and depression, among others. When people view drinking as a positive social habit, the rate of alcoholism escalates.

Alcoholism and Government Regulations

There are many regulations concerning alcohol consumption. However, these government policies are ineffective because they fail to control the cultural practices of drinking. The reason behind this is that society pictures intoxication as part of life rather than a dangerous aspect. An overly drunk individual at a social gathering causes amusement rather than worry. Police officers will walk past an intoxicated man or woman as long as he or she is not disorderly. Since the government does not address the issue of alcoholism as required, the American people see no wrong on over-drinking.

Decades ago, the United States government prohibited alcohol consumption due to an alarming rate of alcoholism and health-related complications. However, the prohibition failed, and since the ban was lifted, alcohol consumption in the United States has been escalating. The problem is not associated with alcohol production, but because America bore a drinking society ages ago. The details discussed in this article point out that alcoholism in the United States has more to with American social culture. Call us today at 844-639-8371.

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