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 p...