Imagine yourself shaking with the
need of consuming an alcoholic beverage. You think you can get past it. Past
the overwhelming power of the habit you have formed upon yourself. Then, you
realize it’s too late; you've gone to deep that it’s no longer a want but a
need. This causes the people surrounding you on a daily basis to start to
worry. Binge drinking effects sixty-five million Americans within a month
("2018 Alcoholism Statistics You Need to Know."1). Can this epidemic
be put to a stop or solved?
History
Throughout the colonial times in the
1600s men, women and even kids would drink beer with every meal ("The
History of Drinking in America - Axis Residential Treatment." 1). Alcohol
was used so much that it was even a tool to treat multiple illnesses (1).
However, it was not only used to celebrate special occasions such as weddings,
but it was also used to gain strength and to cure a variety of illnesses (1).
The early colonists were so used to having beer, cider and wine all the time
that once they separated from their European roots, they took the task upon
their selves to learn how to make beer, cider and wine (1). Rum became a
popular beverage throughout the colonies in the mid 1600’s due to it finally
making its way into America from the Caribbean (1). According to The History of
Alcohol in America “Early Americans believed that alcohol was a gift to human
society. However, drunkenness was a sin and an indication of moral weakness,
according to the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation” (1). This concludes that
there were many different viewpoints on alcohol its self. It also justifies
that drinking was okay as long as it was held to a certain extent:
The early Americans believed that
anyone who drank too much could simply sober up by exercising enough willpower.
Benjamin Rush, a physician who practiced in Philadelphia in the late 1700s, was
one of the first Americans to propose the idea that alcohol addiction is not a
matter of will, but a disease that can only be treated by avoiding alcohol
altogether. Rush’s theory was not widely accepted by his peers, but his ideas
about alcoholism would have a strong influence on American temperance movements
in the 19th and 20th centuries. (1)
However, that was just the beginning of the movement
Dr.Benjamin Rush had started; as early as 1789 a variety of temperance
society's emerged (1). The main supporters of the temperance societies were
many women that have been abused or even whose children had been neglected by
husbands that were alcoholics (1). Due to the strong pursuit of the temperance
movement Maine became the first state to prohibit the consumption sale of
alcohol in 1851 (1). Although alcohol was no longer being sold famers started
to make their own wine and cider from their crops; which were illegal, so they
were sold in “kitchen bars” (1). The temperance movement had its ups and downs
due to the civil war overshadowing the over usage of alcohol (1). Throughout
the early 20th century many actions took place against the act of
binge drinking such as a law passing against driving while intoxicated, also
the Eighteenth Amendment took place in 1920 which prohibited the production or
sale of alcohol (1). However, bootlegging now became popular around the 1920’s
which was alcohol being sold underground and this was also called “speakeasies”
(1). The act of organized crime
increased due to the laws of prohibition remining difficult to enforce; also,
the unemployment rate increased, and the economy faltered (1). Within the next couple
of years, a dramatic change was going to be taken place:
In 1933, President Franklin
Roosevelt passed the Cullen Harrison Act, an amendment to the Volstead Act,
allowing the production of wine and beer with a low alcohol content. In
December of that same year, the Eighteenth Amendment was repealed by the
Twenty-first Amendment to the Constitution, and Prohibition came to an end. (1)
The abuse of alcohol is still a major problem in the 20th
century.
Social Effects
The social effects of Binge Drinking
not only destroys families but individuals also. Statistics state that
“According to The National Institute On Alcohol Abuse And Alcoholism, around
27% of people in the US admitted to binge drinking in the past month, with a
further 7% admitting they drank heavily (“Social
Effects of Alcohol Abuse: Consequences of Alcoholism in Society.” 1). Family is affected by binge drinking due to
more than 10 percent of children have at least one parent in their household
that abuses the usage of alcohol (1). College students are also damaged or
affected by the action of binge drinking. Simply by partying to late at night
the day before the exam; a simple choice by drinking too much can change the
whole course of their life. It becomes dangerous by becoming addictive, that
the young adults feel as if they need a drink or multiple drinks at any time of
the day. This ruins their chance at many opportunities in life, as it sets them
up for failure. The epidemic of binge drinking continues to affect many
families, children and young college students. Of course, it doesn’t end their
many deaths which have been caused behind binge drinking such as 88,000 people
dying from consuming too much alcohol (1). The social effects from alcohol
really aren't visible but, the effects on the whole society together are (1). The
chances of involvement in crime, drinking and driving or being sexual
irresponsible increases while being under the influence of alcohol (1).
Domestic abuse is also an outcome that an abuser delivers to his or her peers
(1).
Examples
In a personal interview with
Jonathan Johnson I have taken into account that a lot of binge drinking takes
place at clubs, bars and house parties (“Johnson, Johnathan M. Personal
interview. 3 Mar. 2019”). The habit of drinking constantly for a buzz started
when he turned eighteen years old (1). Approximately Johnathan drinks on three
pacific days out of the week which fall on Thursday, Friday and Saturday (1).
Those three days are most popular due to Thursday basically being a prep day
for Friday, but by all means Friday and Saturday are the main days that the
drinking and partying starts to take place (1). For example, different alcohol
beverages that he consumes heavily on those three days are beer and other
hard-core liquors such as vodka etc.. (1).
The time range that the drinking starts is around nine at night and goes
on until two in the morning until the club closes, this can put many lives at
risk due to people driving while being intoxicated (1). Unfortunately, it
doesn't stop after the club closes the drinking often continues at a friend's
house with a whole group just drinking until they get a buzz out of it which
they turn out to be successful each time (1).
Solutions
Many people struggle to find the
will and courage to even consider stopping the constant habit of drinking.
However, a lot of victims don’t even know where to start. They can vent to
others around them or close by, so they can help them throughout their
journeys. For example, if a college student is a victim of binge drinking, they
could reach out to their mother and have her encourage them and get them the
help they need to recover. Also, it can be a coworker at work or even a
teacher. The huge goal is acknowledging it yourself by telling somebody and
taking the initiative that you can stop.
According to “How to Stop Binge
Drinking,” the American Addiction Center gives multiple ways to stop the
addiction (“How to Stop Binge Drinking,” 7). A key factor is to consider the
environment you are in (7). Think about who you surround yourself with; you
don’t want to surround yourself with other binge drinkers (7). Also, think
about the places you go; try to avoid bars and certain restaurants (7).
However, when you have that itch to go to a bar and have a quick fix try to
find something else to occupy your time that you enjoy, so you won’t fall back
into the old routines (7). Consider the pros and cons because “your motivation
level is likely to vary over time” (7). “Keeping a list close by of the reasons
why you want to stop binge drinking can keep you motivated to quit” (7). Your family can be a reason, or if you’re a
mother or father, your child could be a reason, but the pros will out do the
cons (7). It's important to treat yourself after an accomplishment.
According to “How to Stop Binge
Drinking,” another way to ensure that you reach your goal is to reward yourself
after you reached a goal (“How to Stop Binge Drinking,” 7). This keeps you
motivated and helps you feel good about yourself without having to drink an
alcoholic beverage. Also remember you're not alone you can accept awards from
others around you such as your family and friends while they provide the praise
you need (7). Considering abstinence is a major key to becoming sober (7). Many
people find it better to quit drinking alcohol all together rather than
limiting themselves to drinking occasionally (7). However, if withdrawing from
alcohol completely is too much to take on try to set a limit on how much you're
going to consume (7). There are various ways to limit yourself: “You might
consider reducing the amount you drink, only drinking on certain days or during
certain hours, or avoiding particular types of alcohol. Also consider asking
family or friends to help you monitor your alcohol intake.” (7). For example,
this can go hand in hand with a person fighting a battle to lose weight; they
watch their intake of calories and set a limit. Instead of drinking, find an
alternative that will keep you busy (7). Alcohol may help someone deal with
various things such as “negative feelings, such as stress, depression, anxiety,
and boredom. Replace alcohol with healthier options, such as exercise,
self-care, sports, hobbies, and connecting with others” (7). One solution may
be:
Attend a detox program. When
a person who is physically dependent on alcohol attempts to quit, he or she may
begin to experience withdrawal symptoms. In cases of heavy and frequent
drinking, withdrawal can be dangerous and may lead to delirium tremens, which
can include seizures, visual hallucinations, confusion, and possibly death. Detoxing
under the supervision of a detox program allows for withdrawal symptoms to be
closely monitored and managed through medications, if necessary. (8)
Finally, the last solution to stop binge drinking is to
consider medication (8). Of course, you must consult your doctor first, and see
if this is the right path to take. “In some cases, doctors may prescribe
medications to ease withdrawal symptoms and manage cravings” (8).
Camus and Absurdity
Albert Camus is an author whose mind
worked in mysterious ways. According to Nobel Lectures, Camus believed in “the total absence of hope,
which has nothing to do with despair, a continual refusal, which must not be
confused with renouncement – and a conscious dissatisfaction”
which translates to having no hope isn't the same as despair so you must not
confuse it with abandonment (Nobel Lectures 1). Therefore, binge
drinkers should understand that having no hope is to put themselves at blame.
Camus would think the addict put him or herself in this position by looking for
the meaning of life instead of living it; according to Markiewicz, “You will never be happy if you continue to search
for what happiness consists of. You will never live if you are looking for the
meaning of life” (1).
Also how did the addict get in this
situation? Is it due to the lack of supervision of many teens? According to
adults, the local clubs or bars are also to blame because a limit of how much
alcohol can be served to one guest can be enacted. This epidemic could be put
to an end if more supervision and limitations are put into action.
Conclusion
Binge drinking should be brought to
awareness as soon as possible. The Center for Disease Control reveals, “17
billion total binge drinks consumed by adults annually, or 467 binge drinks per
binge drinker” ("CDC - Fact Sheets-Binge Drinking - Alcohol."1). This
epidemic must be put to a stop; parents are losing children and children are
losing parents to this horrible addiction. If this doesn’t get put to a stop
everybody is at risk in the future.
Works Cited
"CDC - Fact Sheets-Binge
Drinking - Alcohol." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 13
Feb. 2019, www.cdc.gov/alcohol/fact-sheets/binge-drinking.htm.
"2018 Alcoholism Statistics You
Need to Know." Talbott Recovery, 23 Feb. 2019,
talbottcampus.com/alcoholism-statistics/.
"How to Stop Binge
Drinking." Recovery.org, 7 Dec. 2018, www.recovery.org/alcohol-treatment/binge-drinking/.
Johnson, Johnathan M. Personal
interview. 3 Mar. 2019.
Markiewicz, Megan. “Absurd Fiction.”
PowerPoint Presentation. 17 April 2019
Nobel Lectures, Literature 1901-1967, Editor Horst Frenz, Elsevier
Publishing Company, Amsterdam, 1969
"The History of Drinking in
America - Axis Residential Treatment." Home - Axis Residential
Treatment, axisresidentialtreatment.com/alcohol-addiction/history-in-america/#century.
Valeriia. “Social Effects of Alcohol
Abuse: Cosequences of Alcoholism in Society.” AlcoRehab.org, AlcoRehab,
15 Feb. 2019, alcorehab.org/the-effects-of-alcohol/social/
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