Alcohol: Benefit or Problem?

Although it has been nearly a century since Prohibition ended in the United States in 1933, the same arguments that resulted in its passage of the 18th Amendment and the Volstead Act in October 1919 in the first place remain salient today. For instance, then as now, opponents of alcohol cite the increased incidence of domestic and other types of violence, the diminished ability to earn a meaningful living and a host of health-related problems as evidence that even moderate consumption of alcohol is dangerous and an enlightened society would seek to prohibit its use to the maximum extent possible. Conversely, researchers have identified some diseases and health disorders that can benefit from low levels of alcohol consumption, and social drinkers who are able to enjoy a few drinks without adverse effects simply do not understand what all the fuss is about in the first place. The purpose of this paper is to describe the health benefits that are associated with alcohol consumption, including some of the most recent findings to emerge in the last year as well as an assessment concerning whether the alcohol industry behaves responsibly in marketing their products. In addition, a discussion concerning how American society should treat alcoholism and alcoholics and what Americans, as a society, can do to reduce the problems associated with alcohol use is followed by an analysis as to whether Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) works and what alternatives are available. Finally, the paper provides a summary of the research and relevant findings concerning these issues in the conclusion.

Are there any health benefits to alcohol consumption? If so what? Has this changed in the past year or so?

Not surprisingly, there has been intensive research over the past several decades concerning the potential health benefits of alcohol consumption since many people are clearly going to drink anyway and the alcohol industry is always eager to find any new evidence of such beneficial effects to help promote their products to American consumers. The research to date indicates that the consumption of low or moderate levels of alcohol is beneficial for ischemic heart disease, peripheral vascular disease, gallstones and even diabetes (Ashley et al. 2000). In addition, some studies have also shown that habitual alcohol consumption is associated with reduced cerebrovascular disease responses (Jones et al. 2013).

According to recent research by the Harvard School of Public Health, though, the various benefits that have been associated with alcohol consumption are typically dependent on the amounts that are involved. For instance, these authorities emphasize that, Its safe to say that alcohol is both a tonic and a poison. The difference lies mostly in the dose. Moderate drinking seems to be good for the heart and circulatory system, and probably protects against type 2 diabetes and gallstones (Alcohol: Balancing Risks and Benefits 2022: 3). In sum, drinking a glass of wine with a meal once in awhile may provide some health benefits, but consuming large amounts such as two or three bottles at every meal will invariably have some profoundly serious health implications over the long term (Lown et al. 2007). Complicating the challenges that are associated with treating alcoholism is the fact that the alcohol industry itself regularly abrogates its responsibilities to market its products responsibly as discussed further below.

Does the alcohol industry behave responsibly in marketing their products?

Given the enormous social, economic and health burden that alcoholism causes, some critics might suggest that if the alcohol industry acted completely responsible, they would not market their products at all (Coomber 2017). It is also reasonable to suggest that absent legislation to moderate their marketing practices, that alcohol industry would be far more aggressive in selling its products to consumers of all ages, including underaged drinkers. Indeed, although the alcohol industry routinely cautions consumers to drink responsibly or enjoy their products in moderation, they fail to communicate the risks that are associated with the consumption of their products (Smith et al. 2014).

A study of the various strategies that are used by the alcohol industry by John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health identified several constraints that underscore their lack of responsible marketing behaviors. For instance, Smith et al. reports that, Most of the ads analyzed (87 percent) incorporated a responsibility message, but none actually defined responsible drinking or promoted abstinence at particular times or in certain situations (3). Moreover, even in those cases where this type of responsibility message was used, it was almost always far smaller than the products slogan or tagline (Smith et al.). This lack of responsible marketing practices on the part of the alcohol industry is just part of the problem, however, and...

…by courts of competent jurisdiction to attend meetings for a specific amount of time as part of their rehabilitation for crimes that were committed while under the influence of alcohol. Nevertheless, none of the provisions of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) require or prohibit attendance at AA or other 12-step programs, and people are free to attend as often as they see fit and cease their participation entirely when they feel it is appropriate or necessary for them to do so. This aspect of AA may be a dual-edged sword for many alcoholics who are desperate to find help but who are otherwise unconvinced as to the programs actual effectiveness. The only viable alternatives to AA and similar 12-step programs are community-based in- and outpatient facilities that use evidence-based interventions; in many cases, owever, such treatment strategies are supplemented and reinforced by obligatory participation in an AA program.

Conclusion

Despite the wide array of negative health consequences that are associated with even moderate alcohol consumption, the research showed that there are also some corresponding health benefits for certain conditions, including ischemic heart disease, peripheral vascular disease, cerebrovascular disease, gallstones and diabetes. Recent published within the past few months indicates that these benefits largely depend on the amount of alcohol that is routinely consumed, and no research suggests that imbibing large quantities of alcohol confer any health benefits whatsoever. The research also showed that the alcohol industry regularly trots out a health warning on its products, but these marketing messages are of limited value given their nebulosity and comparative size. One of the more noteworthy findings to emerge from the relevant literature was the need for Americans to understand and accept the fact that alcoholism is caused by a disease rather than a lack of willpower and that alcoholics should be regarded in this light. Consequently, educating the public concerning this issue represents one of the most important steps that American society can take to improve the manner in which these victims are treated. Finally, the research also showed that although Alcoholic Anonymous is not an evidence-based treatment strategy, it is still the most widely used intervention in the United States and abroad at present and many alcoholics have succeeded in abstaining from consuming alcohol, even after a lifetime of heavy drinking despite a dearth of scientific evidence to support…