The Use of Alcohol in Society

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, or the attitudes about drinking we learn over the years. The chances of people drinking in ways that can harm others and ultimately themselves can be seen by the correlation of educational lessons, cultural beliefs and the usage of alcohol. Looking at all the possibilities, the complex question we must ask is why do people drink? Is it through their defiance of law, the accessibility of alcohol, teachings of others or the values set in place in their society?

Every society has its own views on how the consumption of alcohol should be handled and regulated. Their differences create a trickle effect of how it is used, and is distinctive to that culture or society. Many cultures drinking habits go hand in hand with religion, and social customs. Drinking alcohol is in many cases a part of extensive learned tradition, where people pride themselves with their ability to hold their liquor. In countries where alcohol is part of the “norm”, the outcomes of drinking habits or the effects of alcohol are much different, “A population that drinks daily may have a high rate of cirrhosis and other medical problems but few accidents, fights, homicides, or other violent alcohol-associated conflicts; a population with predominantly binge drinking shows the opposite complex of drinking problems”#. It has been observed that cultures with rich traditions and acceptance of alcohol use tend to deal less with the typical alcohol related problems, compared to the cultures who treat alcohol as an escape or something that will make them better in the eyes of others. In these societies, like the U.S. alcohol hasn’t always been present and grown to be...

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3.Varley, C. (1994). Life Issues-Alcoholism. New York: Marshal Cavendish.

4.Rorabaugh, W.J. (1979). The Alcoholic Republic: An American Tradition. New York: Oxford University Press: 26

5.Levine, H.G. (1995).“The Good Creature of God and the Demon Rum,” International Handbook on Alcohol and Culture. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press: 115

6.Heath, 121

7.Heath, 436.

Bibliography

Claypool, J. (1981). Alcohol and You. New York: Franklin Watts- An Impact Book.

Dolmetsch, P, and Mauricette, G. (Ed). (1987). Teens Talk About Alcohol and Alcoholism. New York: Dolphin Book.

Heath, D.B. (1982).“Sociocultural Variants in Alcoholism,” Encyclopedic Handbook of Alcoholism. New York: Gardner Press.

Hornik, E.L. (1974). You and your Alcoholic Parent. New York: Association Press.

Levine, H.G. (1995).“The Good Creature of God and the Demon Rum,” International Handbook on Alcohol and Culture. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press.

Rorabaugh, W.J. (1979). The Alcoholic Republic: An American Tradition. New York: Oxford University Press.

Varley, C. (1994). Life Issues-Alcoholism. New York: Marshal Cavendish.