Why are alcoholic drinks considered such a normal thing in our society when they cause so much harm?

Question

Mr. Taco, puhleeeez. Alcohol doesn't only cause harm to those that abuse it. The drunk driver that kills innocent people in another car or on the street didn't just cause harm to himself. Get real.

Answer 1

Let's first deal with the meaning of "normal". I'm assuming you're using the term to denote what is acceptable, ordinary, the usual thing to do.

So ~ it's normal in our society to frequent pubs, buy alchohol, join with our family & friends to have a drink. It's not only considered normal but the whole procedure is legitimised by the legal processes.You're actually encouraged to go out and have a drink.

And here's the irony ~ Drinking excessively is a killer. Drinking moderately can have its own problems of violence or organ failure in later life. Even just occasional drinking may have side-effects eg if you're over the limit and get caught.

So why does it still continue?

Well most of us like drinking.
It oils the social fabric.
Raises billions for the Chancellor
Not enough information around to explain the long-term effects.

Until there is more awareness and as long as drink & smoking are legalised, the problem will continue.

Vern ~ a lover of red wine!!

Answer 2

Alcohol in moderation - a couple of drinks in an evening, for instance - is fine, because it doesn't have the Jekyll/Hyde effect you describe. It is when it is abused/overdone that problems arise - alcohol poisoning, lack of judgement, slower reflexes, and so on. Social drinking is what is considered normal; getting drunk out of one's mind is not. Anyone who encourages another to over-indulge in alcohol, whether it be at a party, an initiation, or elsewhere, is totally irresponsible. More and more students, however, are seeing the negative side of too much alcohol, and are refraining from that behavior. SADD (Students Against Driving Drunk) is one such organization. BTW, wine is mentioned in the Bible as a good thing - in moderation. Even Christ turned water into wine at the wedding in Cana, if you recall.

Answer 3

To the person who thinks marijuana causes a lot less harm, you're wrong. It's a mind-altering drug every bit as much as alcohol. It can also cause harm to the body. Check out this site. http://www.marijuana-addiction.net/marijuana-side-effects.htm

Anyway, this question about alcohol is like asking why do people use illegal drugs also when they know they're harmful. Alcohol is legal. While it can be abused like anything else out there, even caffeine, it's still popular. In SMALL amounts, it can be helpful to the cardiovascular system.
And the truth is already out there that it can cause liver damage and other health problems if ABUSED.

Answer 4

Because it only causes harm to those who abuse it. Millions and millions of people drink alcohol everyday with no harm coming to them because they are responsible with it. Cars kill 45,000 people a year, most of them driven by sober people, and we still have them because most of us are responsible when we drive. It is not alcohol that is bad. It is alcohol abuse. But you can't punish EVERYONE because SOME people are idiots. If you do, then you more or less have to take away everything that is enjoyable in life. Hell, even walking across a street can kill you in the right situation.

And I might add that I, personally, don't drink alcohol. ;-)

Answer 5

They themselves don't cause harm. In fact, drinking a class of wine a day has a number of health benefits.
Getting drunk is what causes so much harm. Drunk driving, alcoholism, fights, violence, liver disease, obesity, etc., are caused by overconsumtion of alcohol.

It's considered a "normal thing" because brewing beer, bottling wine and distilling spirits were one of the first advanced types of agriculture that occurred in civilization -- it's been around for thousands of years in just about every advanced ancient civilization -- heck, even Noah got drunk on wine. It's been engrained into our culture, heritage, and religion.

Answer 6

I love enjoying a couple beers once in awhile. it is the @ssholes who go out, get wasted and start doing stupid $hit that cause the harm. mostly alcoholics. they have wasted what could have been a good life for them. they almost always mess things up. many of us just drink one or two or just have fun at the occasional party. we do not support alcoholics. some of us try to get them help.

Answer 7

It's not the alcohol, it is the people that are irresponsible that drinking can cause harm. People need to take accountability and stop blaming problems on animate objects.

Answer 8

It's all politics. Very big money in the alcohol business. Literally billions of dollars are made in this business and it would be bad for business if the truth got out. And it is very socially acceptable also. This industry has lobbyist in the white house all the time. They make big contributions to the cause etc.

Answer 9

In other countries even kids are allowed to drink wine - and they have less trouble with alcoholism. It may be that we only have so much trouble in the US because we tell kids they have to wait until they are 21 and make it a temptation.

Go to the below site to see the world drinking ages.

Answer 10

Alcohol is considered normal because it's common.

In addition, people get rich over making and selling the stuff, some of it to other people with a lot of money.