Alcohol Research Paper
Alcohol plays too significant a role in society today and should be an after thought as
opposed to the most essential addition to any social event. Alcohol creates numerous
social, economic, and health problems that could very easily be stopped if it played a less
influential role in every day events. The use of alcohol is prominent in, but not limited to
three social circles that include students, family groups, and religious gatherings. Experts
have much to say about alcohol use and abuse in these three categories, including all of the
negative aspects of drinking.
Social drinking is a common occurrence around America. Whether it is after work or after
a football game, white collar or blue, two-thirds of the American population sit down at
least once a week to enjoy an alcoholic beverage (Med.unc.edu). Many of these people do
not realize that drinking is what leads to uncontrolled behavior, drunk driving, and in the
long run, addiction. They are thinking only of the short-term effects, not the negative
long-term consequences. People who regularly turn to alcohol eventually begin to neglect
their families and other responsibilities, consequently wrecking the lives of loved ones and
their own as well. While the lasting negative effects of alcohol use are spewed daily
through the media, the problems will not stop until society completely understands how
alcohol can indeed pose a serious threat to the nations social welfare.
Alcohol has an adverse effect on the economy. The consequences of alcohol abuse and
dependence cost the nation an estimated $99 billion each year (Gordis, 209). It is tax
money that pays for alcoholics who both live on the street and are barely getting by or who
are in government-funded hospitals and institutions. The United States should either find
an alternative way to take care of these people or perhaps raise liquor taxes. Either one of
these options would conceivably minimize the economical problems caused by alcoholic
beverages. It is not the responsibility of the people as a whole to take care of the
homeless people who have fallen prey to the lure of alcohol related problems.
As of 1991, about 14 million Americans met medical diagnostic criteria for alcohol abuse
or alcoholism. There are numerous health problems that are linked to drinking. For
instance, if alcohol is consumed during pregnancy, birth defects may result, worse, the
baby could be born addicted to alcohol (Kellam, 30). High doses of alcohol have also
