Alcohol Abuse: A Complex Social Issue in America

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Alcohol is the most widely used and abused in America. Drinking is common in our society and the consequences of alcohol abuse can be serious. It can cause damage to one’s physical, mental, and emotional. It can also worry loved ones and society. Due to alcohol abuse, it is a problem in the United States today, causing more deaths each year and involving situations such as violent crimes and domestic violence. “Because of the use of alcohol is complex, it can be viewed as a social issue, a theoretical-conceptual problem, and a disorder that needs intervention, treatment, and prevention” (Rivers 1994). Drinking is a time-out behavior like free time. Usually people drink during nonworking hours and on weekends. Social gatherings like weddings, birthdays, …show more content…

“According to, The Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons Complete Home Medical Guide, alcohol use is involved in half of all murders, accidental deaths, and suicides; half of all crimes; and almost half of all fatal automobile accidents” (Torr 2000). Alcoholics have some to no control of how much they drink. They tend to ignore that they are abusing alcohol and continue to drink regardless of the consequences, such as losing a job, harming friends or family, or getting into trouble with the law. Which is why alcohol abuse can be caused of serious and possibly life threatening problems in the society. “Young people who began drinking before age 15 were four times more likely to develop alcohol dependence than those who began drinking at age 21, researchers found” (Balkin 2004). Educating people about responsible drinking, parents, teachers, and law makers should portray positive and negative aspects of alcohol use. I will be defining what is alcohol abuse then explain who it effects, apply all four social perspectives, list the positive and negative effects, and state the treatments or organizations to help stop alcohol

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