Many scenarios come to mind when you think about alcohol consumption in America. For example, the best man raising a toast for the married couple or a friendly hangout with buddies to drink and have fun while playing games or talking.
Of course, many other not-pretty aspects of drinking exist, like a drunk driver crashing into something, hurting themselves and possibly others. Or a family feud turned into a crime scene due to alcohol influence.
Regardless, drinking has stayed a part of American culture for years now, and any attempts to minimize its usage or even eliminate it haven’t been successful.
Some Keys Stats:
Take a look at some of these stats (1) from the National Center of Biotechnology Information (NCBI) that depicts the alcohol consumption of Americans since and before 1850:
There has been a wide variety in alcohol consumption since 1850. Before that, the per capita consumption reached six to seven gallons.
These numbers reached 1.75 to 2.75 gallons between 1850 and the First World War.
Specific rules set in place from 1920 to 1933 reduced it even more (1.5 gallons per adult).
Another surge in alcohol consumption came in the 1960s, growing until today.
The current statistics are almost the same as the ones at the start of the World War.
The Most Radical Step Taken By US Government:
As mentioned earlier, from the years between 1920 and 1933, the government took many steps to root out the alcohol industry. The 18th amendment came as a hammer for many manufacturers and users, banning the sale and brewing of alcoholic beverages. Although most people were in favor of this decision, many others were against it.
Individuals argued that the prohibition laws were merely the incompetence of the current government to form legislations that address the moral issues surrounding alcohol consumption. And since banning alcohol doesn’t necessarily eliminate its use, it gave rise to much more dire problems.
These events led to many conflicts and often blatant ignorance of law where people would still drink as a sign of rebellion. However, these years of restrictions didn’t last long, and the 21st amendment gave a whole new meaning to the existing law.
Even though this decision suffered a U-turn, it allowed people to understand that drinking can not necessarily be eradicated from their country. But if managed properly with continuous refinement to laws, the state can control the issue.
The Reasons behind Ever-Changing Drinking Habits in Adults
Drinking is deeply rooted in the American culture, where you may need a beer to even walk out to the porch. Not to forget the amount of alcohol one consumes on a night out partying with friends or colleagues. But as your life changes, new events arise, and you grow older, your drinking habits change too. For example, a young man with fewer responsibilities may drink more than a middle-aged person working two jobs.
Similarly, the recent pandemic has affected our drinking habits, too, especially in women. A recent study by RAND (2) suggests that over 41% of women started drinking more (four or more drinks within a couple of hours) ever since the lockdown began. Another study by JAMA Network (3) showed that alcohol consumption increased up to 14% in adults above 30 years old.
Quoting the senior psychologist at RAND, “Alcohol consumption can have significant negative health consequences, so this information suggests another way that the pandemic may be affecting the physical and mental health of Americans.” And rightly so! Most Americans may have ruined their physical health in an attempt to stay mentally okay in the wake of the pandemic.
Conclusion:
To conclude this essay, let’s discuss the critical steps that may prove incredibly beneficial in controlling alcohol and avoiding related problems caused to American society.
First, awareness is the key to solving this issue. Regular campaigns by print and social media can be ideal for reminding people of a healthy and happy life without alcohol. Additionally, a country-wide educational program that teaches the young generation about the possible dangers of alcohol can save many lives. Lastly, we live in extraordinary times, and the pandemic has done its number on most Americans. So it is best to learn the identifying factors that depict that you may be drinking too much.
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