A publication was released by Harvard in 2008 that outlined the risks of using and abusing alcohol (link unavailable but article can be found using an Ottawa Public Library account), some of the things it talks about are widely known, but it also touches on the lesser known facts. The alcohol found in most alcohol beverages is produced through fermentation of carbohydrates, the end product being ethyl alcohol. Alcohol acts as an irritant to the different tissues in our bodies, the cells that it comes in contact with are constantly trying to repair themselves and this can be the first step towards cancer. In addition to that, alcohol acts as a solvent that leaves our cells open to other harmful chemicals from things like cigarette smoke ("Alcohol Use and Cancer").
The possible health implications of alcohol use and abuse can be devastating. Increased risk of liver disease, heart disease, cancer, gastrointestinal issues, and nutritional deficiencies are all linked to alcohol use and abuse, as is brain damage. Alcohol also causes weight gain because of its caloric value, and hormone imbalances, both of which put one at an increased risk for cancer ("Alcohol Use and Abuse").
On top of all these health concerns, alcohol can also increase the likelihood that you will be involved in an accident or situation that is physically harmful, whether it be an automobile accident, a fall, or a fist fight. There is also a very distinct correlation between alcohol and violence, approximately 86% of murders occur when the attacker is inebriated ("Alcohol Use and Abuse").
I think that the general opinion that our society has on alcohol should be changed, not very many people are aware of the acute health implications of alcohol use. Everyone knows that alcohol has its risks, we are warned about it from a very young age and yet our society still glamourizes alcohol consumption. Our pop songs often reference binge drinking or chronic drinking and how great it is but they do it in such a way that it is regarded in a positive light; not to mention the fact that there are thousands of young people who look up to the celebrities who are sending these messages. Alcohol shouldn’t be prohibited but I think that there should be more guidelines concerning the role of alcohol in media, as well as an increase in the level of education that everyone receives about alcohol.
What’s your opinion on the portrayal of alcohol in media and its impact on society?
I think you're absolutely correct about how positively alcohol is portrayed in the media. As you said, some of the most popular songs on the radio explicitly brag about binge consumption of alcohol. If you watch sports, there's almost always commercials for beer or hard liquor on during the breaks. This shows how obsessed our society is with alcohol consumption, despite its obvious dangers.
ReplyDeleteAnd its obvious dangers aren't really that well known. Sure, we learn from a young age not to drink, but we never really learn why. For example, I never knew that alcohol had a causation or even correlation with cancer. I think we're mostly taught about the short-term effects, like about its danger in combination with violence or driving, which are valid concerns, but the long-term effects are often overlooked or glossed over.
Through my own research I discovered that, in the U.S. alone, the alcohol industry brings in over $400 billion annually. So it makes sense that the people who profit from this strive as hard as they can to make it seem safe and fun. But I think that if more people knew the chemistry behind it and understood how dangerous it was, there would be more responsible drinking and less alcohol-related deaths.