by Richard L. Weaver IIThis is an essay about how startled I am. On this topic — alcohol — I never cease to be amazed, and I have decided to use St. Patrick’s Day to reveal my feelings.
When I taught college, I was often told that students could not be in class because of heavy nights of drinking. On campuses across our country, drinking alcohol is “cool,” and active and prodigious drinking is nearly a right of entry. It is part of the deal. College students spend 5.5 billion dollars a year on alcohol — and that doesn’t include what teenagers spend.
With all that money spent by college students on alcohol, is it any wonder that 90% of student crime on college campuses is tied either directly or indirectly to alcohol. Also, rape, date rape, fights, assaults, accidents, falling off balconies, drowning, and car accidents are most often attributable to victims or perpetrators being under the influence of alcohol.
College is not an exception, rather, it accurately mirrors what happens throughout our society. Alcohol is everyone’s favorite drug, and because of that, it causes more harm than either heroin or marijuana. Fights, arguments, money troubles, family upsets, spur-of-the-moment casual sex are often tied to alcohol use just as automobile crashes, recreational accidents, on-the-job accidents, and the likelihood of homicide and suicide.
Harm also is health related. Not only does heavy drinking increase the risk of cancer of the liver, esophagus, throat, and larynx, also it can cause liver cirrhosis, immune system problems, brain damage, and injury to the fetus during pregnancy.
All of these instances of alcohol overuse are widespread, common, and well known. It goes without saying, of course, that much alcohol is consumed as a pleasant accompaniment to social activities. But with alcoholism and alcohol abuse costing our nation over $150 billion a year, you would think citizens would complain loudly about the way it is glamorized and promoted as the “cool” thing to do.
The health hazards are known, fatalities counted, and the destructive consequences often noted. But alcohol is not only available, it is heavily advertised, and widely promoted. Outraged citizens could demand more advertisements, commercials, and public service messages that emphasize healthy and safe alcohol-free activities and lifestyles. But they won’t, and they don’t.
An argument could be made for freedom. That is, that everyone has the right to consume whatever they want wherever they want. After all, this is a free society. It certainly comes as no surprise that our society is at the state we are considering the widespread overuse and abuse of alcohol. Look, for example, how the use of alcohol has effectively socialized our citizens.
Beer advertisements and commercials on television may be the front line of promotion. Some of the most memorable, funny, and best commercials on television are those associated with drinking beer. Madison avenue has taken every desirable aspect of life and tied it to beer: close and loving relationships, bonding with your friends, great sex, having attractive girlfriends and boyfriends, a glamorous lifestyle, good health, rugged outdoor lives, sports and athletics, and cool cars. The liquor industry spends billions of dollars each year to lasso young viewers.
Closely associated with these advertisements and commercials, of course, are the professional athletes and movie stars who, by their actions and advertisements, reinforce how “cool” it is to drink.
A second level of promotion may operate on a less obvious base of influence. Look at where alcoholic beverages are regularly served. First, there are the thousands of bars and taverns. It might not be so bad if it stopped there, but look, second, at the restaurants, night clubs, sporting events, festivals, state fairs, hotels, casinos, carnivals, and cruise ships. Third, to this list add the grocery stores, liquor stores, beverage stores, 7/11 stores, and state stores where bottles, cans, and cases can be purchased. Because alcohol is an adult drug permitted in our society, youth and students think that makes it okay to drink — and drink as soon as possible.
A third level of socialization, and one even more subtle than the previous areas of influence, are the religious rituals, cultural traditions, special events, and holidays associated with drinking alcohol. You can even add the alcohol added to food designed to enhance its flavor. On this level, socialization is clearly understated, and because of how subdued, it could be argued that its influence is enhanced.
Alcohol is deeply ingrained in our society. When people are surrounded with it — bombarded with advertisements and commercials, impacted by events, traditions, and holidays, and exposed to people drinking in every social situation — is it any wonder that its acceptability is part of their socialization process? Is it any wonder that people feel they need to drink alcohol to fit in? Is it any wonder that drinking alcohol is part and parcel of membership in this society?
Under these conditions, is it any wonder that the youth of our nation — including college students, I might add (the primary target of advertising is 16 - 25 year old young men) — do not see anything destructive, unhealthy, or fatal in the use, overuse, or abuse of alcohol? And why would they? They, too, are victims of subliminal programming that is both blatant and sophisticated.
Why is it that the citizens of this nation allow the alcohol industry to subliminally program our young people? Why is the industry allowed to advertise to our children? It all comes down to money, of course. Greed! The alcohol industry, just like the National Rifle Association, is rich and powerful, and they do not want anyone interfering with them. Legislators in Washington accept alcohol industry money, and with politicians in their pocket, they have the control and leverage they want. As long as you believe that alcohol is doing something positive for all of us, that alcohol is the solution to awkward, uncomfortable feelings, and that alcohol is the lubricant that oils the machinery of social interactions, the alcohol industry has you exactly where they want you.
The following verse, written anonymously, reveals the power of this “innocent” social refreshment:
I am more powerful than the combined armies of the world;
I have destroyed more men than all the wars of all the nations;
I have caused millions of accidents and wrecked more homes than all the floods, tornadoes, and hurricanes put together.
I am the worlds’ slickest thief.
I steal billions of dollars each year;
I find my victims among the rich and poor alike, I am relentless, insidious, unpredictable;
I bring sickness, poverty, and death;
I give nothing and take all;
I am your worst enemy;
I am alcohol.
______________________________________________________________________________
“Most of the successful alcohol rehab and drug rehab programs are based on the proven Alcoholics Anonymous 12-step program, along with other cognitive and experiential therapies. Here at Cirque Lodge, we combine the best of both the cognitive and experiential therapies, including our world-famous equine therapy program and outdoor mountain therapy sessions.” This is from the Cirque Lodge website (http://www.cirquelodge.com/AlcoholRehab/AlcoholProblem.php) and the essay there is labeled “Alcohol Problem.”
There is a great, short, essay, “Historical Overview,” on the entire history of alcohol in our society, at the “Wisconsin Clearinghouse for Prevention Resources” (http://wch.uhs.wisc.edu/01-Prevention/01-Prev-Historical.html) that is interesting and worthwhile.
_____________________________________________________________________________
When I taught college, I was often told that students could not be in class because of heavy nights of drinking. On campuses across our country, drinking alcohol is “cool,” and active and prodigious drinking is nearly a right of entry. It is part of the deal. College students spend 5.5 billion dollars a year on alcohol — and that doesn’t include what teenagers spend.
With all that money spent by college students on alcohol, is it any wonder that 90% of student crime on college campuses is tied either directly or indirectly to alcohol. Also, rape, date rape, fights, assaults, accidents, falling off balconies, drowning, and car accidents are most often attributable to victims or perpetrators being under the influence of alcohol.
College is not an exception, rather, it accurately mirrors what happens throughout our society. Alcohol is everyone’s favorite drug, and because of that, it causes more harm than either heroin or marijuana. Fights, arguments, money troubles, family upsets, spur-of-the-moment casual sex are often tied to alcohol use just as automobile crashes, recreational accidents, on-the-job accidents, and the likelihood of homicide and suicide.
Harm also is health related. Not only does heavy drinking increase the risk of cancer of the liver, esophagus, throat, and larynx, also it can cause liver cirrhosis, immune system problems, brain damage, and injury to the fetus during pregnancy.
All of these instances of alcohol overuse are widespread, common, and well known. It goes without saying, of course, that much alcohol is consumed as a pleasant accompaniment to social activities. But with alcoholism and alcohol abuse costing our nation over $150 billion a year, you would think citizens would complain loudly about the way it is glamorized and promoted as the “cool” thing to do.
The health hazards are known, fatalities counted, and the destructive consequences often noted. But alcohol is not only available, it is heavily advertised, and widely promoted. Outraged citizens could demand more advertisements, commercials, and public service messages that emphasize healthy and safe alcohol-free activities and lifestyles. But they won’t, and they don’t.
An argument could be made for freedom. That is, that everyone has the right to consume whatever they want wherever they want. After all, this is a free society. It certainly comes as no surprise that our society is at the state we are considering the widespread overuse and abuse of alcohol. Look, for example, how the use of alcohol has effectively socialized our citizens.
Beer advertisements and commercials on television may be the front line of promotion. Some of the most memorable, funny, and best commercials on television are those associated with drinking beer. Madison avenue has taken every desirable aspect of life and tied it to beer: close and loving relationships, bonding with your friends, great sex, having attractive girlfriends and boyfriends, a glamorous lifestyle, good health, rugged outdoor lives, sports and athletics, and cool cars. The liquor industry spends billions of dollars each year to lasso young viewers.
Closely associated with these advertisements and commercials, of course, are the professional athletes and movie stars who, by their actions and advertisements, reinforce how “cool” it is to drink.
A second level of promotion may operate on a less obvious base of influence. Look at where alcoholic beverages are regularly served. First, there are the thousands of bars and taverns. It might not be so bad if it stopped there, but look, second, at the restaurants, night clubs, sporting events, festivals, state fairs, hotels, casinos, carnivals, and cruise ships. Third, to this list add the grocery stores, liquor stores, beverage stores, 7/11 stores, and state stores where bottles, cans, and cases can be purchased. Because alcohol is an adult drug permitted in our society, youth and students think that makes it okay to drink — and drink as soon as possible.
A third level of socialization, and one even more subtle than the previous areas of influence, are the religious rituals, cultural traditions, special events, and holidays associated with drinking alcohol. You can even add the alcohol added to food designed to enhance its flavor. On this level, socialization is clearly understated, and because of how subdued, it could be argued that its influence is enhanced.
Alcohol is deeply ingrained in our society. When people are surrounded with it — bombarded with advertisements and commercials, impacted by events, traditions, and holidays, and exposed to people drinking in every social situation — is it any wonder that its acceptability is part of their socialization process? Is it any wonder that people feel they need to drink alcohol to fit in? Is it any wonder that drinking alcohol is part and parcel of membership in this society?
Under these conditions, is it any wonder that the youth of our nation — including college students, I might add (the primary target of advertising is 16 - 25 year old young men) — do not see anything destructive, unhealthy, or fatal in the use, overuse, or abuse of alcohol? And why would they? They, too, are victims of subliminal programming that is both blatant and sophisticated.
Why is it that the citizens of this nation allow the alcohol industry to subliminally program our young people? Why is the industry allowed to advertise to our children? It all comes down to money, of course. Greed! The alcohol industry, just like the National Rifle Association, is rich and powerful, and they do not want anyone interfering with them. Legislators in Washington accept alcohol industry money, and with politicians in their pocket, they have the control and leverage they want. As long as you believe that alcohol is doing something positive for all of us, that alcohol is the solution to awkward, uncomfortable feelings, and that alcohol is the lubricant that oils the machinery of social interactions, the alcohol industry has you exactly where they want you.
The following verse, written anonymously, reveals the power of this “innocent” social refreshment:
I am more powerful than the combined armies of the world;
I have destroyed more men than all the wars of all the nations;
I have caused millions of accidents and wrecked more homes than all the floods, tornadoes, and hurricanes put together.
I am the worlds’ slickest thief.
I steal billions of dollars each year;
I find my victims among the rich and poor alike, I am relentless, insidious, unpredictable;
I bring sickness, poverty, and death;
I give nothing and take all;
I am your worst enemy;
I am alcohol.
______________________________________________________________________________
“Most of the successful alcohol rehab and drug rehab programs are based on the proven Alcoholics Anonymous 12-step program, along with other cognitive and experiential therapies. Here at Cirque Lodge, we combine the best of both the cognitive and experiential therapies, including our world-famous equine therapy program and outdoor mountain therapy sessions.” This is from the Cirque Lodge website (http://www.cirquelodge.com/AlcoholRehab/AlcoholProblem.php) and the essay there is labeled “Alcohol Problem.”
There is a great, short, essay, “Historical Overview,” on the entire history of alcohol in our society, at the “Wisconsin Clearinghouse for Prevention Resources” (http://wch.uhs.wisc.edu/01-Prevention/01-Prev-Historical.html) that is interesting and worthwhile.
_____________________________________________________________________________
Contact Richard L. Weaver II
The numbers are really staggering 50% of college students drink and 20 plus percent need addiction help
ReplyDeleteI would love to write a lengthy response, but I am late for my date with a tall glass of green beer.
ReplyDeleteI would also write a lengthy response, but I'm with anonymous. Excuse me while I get the first round of green beer.
ReplyDeleteThanks for writing folks. You know, I kept looking and looking, and I could never seem to locate my invitation to join you for those rounds of green beer! Oh, I know I don't usually drink, but a little green beer surely wouldn't hurt that much. Besides, it's the company that counts. Oh well, maybe next year. I can be patient --- very, very patient. Meanwhile, I'll keep looking for that invitation. I know it's here somewhere.
ReplyDeleteMemorial Day is May 26th. I'm sure there is an internet bar serving red, white, and blue beer! Join me. We'll pay our respects and pour one for the homeys.
ReplyDelete