About 70% of adults in the United States reported that they consumed alcohol in the past year, while another 37 million drinkers reported binge drinking, which is defined as four or five more drinks during a single occasion. In fact, alcohol consumption has increased over the past two decades, owed to the fact that it is often glorified and glamorized in American culture. Given these facts, it is no wonder why we are so comfortable and accepting of alcohol consumption.
Alcohol Consumption and Health
Another reason why alcohol consumption is so widely accepted is also due to the fact that many often claim that moderate drinking is good for your health, whereas the very obvious dangers and health risks associated with drinking are underestimated and rarely talked about. For example, you have likely heard the claim that a serving of red wine is great for your health. However, this claim originated from a study that compared non-drinkers to moderate drinkers instead of light drinkers to heavy drinkers and failed to take into account that some of those who abstain from drinking might be unhealthy for reasons that are not related drinking habits.
While there is hardly any solid evidence to back up the claim that moderate alcohol consumption is beneficial, there is plenty of evidence to support the contrary. In the United States, alcohol consumption is the third most common cause of premature death and it is estimated that about 88,000 deaths a year are attributed to drinking. Even when moderately consumed, alcohol is linked to a variety of cancers, such as breast, liver, colorectal, and esophagus. Additionally, alcohol use is also known for being the cause of serious harm to others, many of which are violence-related.
Offsetting the Harm
To reduce the burden alcohol use and alcoholism has on others, a number of things could be done, especially through public policy. For example, some policies that could prove to be effective include alcohol excise taxes, restrictions on the number of stores that sell alcohol, and reduced hours of sale. These restrictive policies could help reduce the number of alcohol-related motor vehicle deaths, alcohol-related homicides, and underage drinking.
Alcohol Rehabilitation Treatment in Arizona
If you or a loved one is struggling with alcoholism, now is the time to fight back against this disease and reclaim your life, so you can be happier and healthier once again. At Decision Point Center, we use effective and proven techniques to help every patient we serve overcome their addiction to alcohol, so they can get back to living their life to the fullest.
Get started on winning the fight against alcoholism and reach out to our facility today at (844) 292-5010 to learn more about how we can help you.