Our Boozin' Society: The Role of Alcohol in American Culture and Tradition

A champagne toast is a tradition at every wedding. Poured wine is served during the Christian Communion and represents the blood of Christ. Alcohol is not only part of most social activities; it has become a tradition over the centuries. Alcohol is accepted by society and often associated with a "good time", yet alcohol consumption and abuse is responsible for the death of over 100,000 people in the United States every year. Alcohol is "the most commonly used and widely abused psychoactive drug in the world." (gdcada.org). It negatively effects family and health, it increases mortality rates and crime, and has more negative long-term effects on society than any other illicit drug.

Many would argue that alcohol is not considered a drug, when in fact ethyl alcohol, or ethanol, is an extremely addictive drug by definition, "a substance which when absorbed into a living organism may modify one or more of its functions" (Alcohol Controversies). Alcohol dependence and addiction are the result of habitual drinking. Dependence and addiction to alcohol can lead to substance withdrawals which include shaking, sleeplessness, vomiting, hallucinations, and even seizures. Alcohol is considered a depressant of the central nervous system, and is by definition the world's oldest known drug (Washington.edu). Although drinking is by far the most socially accepted mind altering substance, because of growing knowledge of its negative effects, it is no longer tolerable for one to put themselves and others in danger due to excessive drinking.