3+The+Influences+of+Alcohol

What Influences an Individual to Drink?
We know that everyone has a reason to drink rather it be in celebration or depression. In today’s society there are many factors that may influence one to drink. Some of these influences include: (1) Religion (2) Culture (3) Society (4) Media

Religion/ Culture [[image:cross.jpg width="374" height="229" align="right"]]
“In some cultures long ago, large quantities of alcohol were consumed during religious ceremonies in hopes of achieving closer communication with the gods. The Aztecs and many Native American tribes, for example, consumed alcohol and other intoxicating substances to accomplish this.” (Ushcan, 2002, pg 12) When an individual is brought up in certain religion or culture it can play a factor in whether an individual will consume alcohol, which can later lead into chronic drinking. As you can see from above the Native American used the consumption of alcohol to become close to god. There are religions that do allow the use of alcohol as a way of praising their worshiper. Two of these religions are Christianity and Judaism. Christians use it when celebrating communion as the symbol of their savior’s blood. Judaism uses it to celebrate the first day of pass over, what they consider to be the most important fest of the year. As soon as individuals are old enough to understand why they are celebrating their religions they are introduced to alcohol. Although alcohol consumption outside of the religious reasons is seen to be wrong, the exposure at a young age can still affect them later on. A religion like Muslim prohibits drinking. In the Islam’s “Koran” (holy book) their prophet Mohammed “advised adherents to abstain from alcohol. “The devil desires to sow dissensions and hatred among you through wine and games of chance, be obedient to God and the prophet, his apostles, and take heed to yourself.”- Prophet Mohammed”.” (Ushcan, 2002, pg 12) Any type of alcohol consumption should be seen as a game of chance, you never know how one drink can alter your life, or others, in the future.

Cultural Influences of Alcohol
There are many different patterns of alcohol use around the cultures of the world. When we look at Russian and Irish cultures, they are associated with heavy drinking, especially in distilled spirits. For example, it has been studied and found that populations in Irish descent have higher rates of alcohol-related problems than any other ethnic group. A comparison of Irish-American and Italian-American is very interesting: Irish children and adolescents are forbidden to drink, but they expect the adult man to drink in large quantities. They value spirits more than beer, and like the commorodity in a bar setting, away from their families. Italian families give their children wine at a very early age in a family setting, but also disapprove of intoxication. The French primarily drink wine in amongst the family environment and with meals. Unfortunately they consume more alcohol per capita than any other nation and have the highest rate of alcohol dependence, suicide and deaths from cirrhosis than any other nation. The Czechs are the world's leading beer drinkers averaging 157 litres per capita. They are followed by Ireland, at 131 litres, and then Germany, Australia and Austria. Canada ranks 19th with 68.3 litres per capita in beer consumption. (Hart C. /Ksir C. /Ray O. 2009 pg.203) ([]) Copyright 2010

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“After all is it an integral part of our lives. Our births are traditionally celebrated with it, we grow up watching our parents consume it, and we patiently wait until the day we can legally consume it ourselves. As adults we spend most of our time in places where alcohol is served, and a substantial amount of our annual salary is set aside to purchase it. We drink it at marriage ceremonies and at a funeral wakes, we see it advertised everyday on television, in news papers, and on billboards; we attending sporting events sponsored by alcohol manufacturers. We give it as gifts to loved one, and toast there health with it. We bring it to parties and drink to break the ice. We go on trips to see where it is produced. Our most creative talent swears by it. Protestants, Roman Catholics, and Jews sanction it.” (Brownlee, 2002, pg 12) <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">In society as explain before we use alcohol in celebration of everything, or just to get through a day. We use alcohol in social outings to make ourselves more comfortable, or get others comfortable. We form an addiction off our own actions because once we are legal no one can tell us not to drink. Once you are nineteen in Canada you can go out and drink whenever you want. Every time an individual takes a drink, than takes two, or takes three, there consumption is getting stronger. That individual is starting to build a tolerance. Every time that drink is consumed they are that much closer to forming an addiction. <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Since drinking is a social experience friends, and family often influence one another to keep consuming alcoholic beverages. Although the consumption of alcohol can often be triggered by peer pressure as way way to fit in with everyone else, and not be different, there is an option you can take and that is saying NO!

<span style="color: #087f08; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Media
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Look around; almost everywhere you can see you will find an advertisement about beer, or drinking. Even children at a young age are exposed to what society deems to be a social event - having a few drinks. Children are told through beer commercials such as Budweiser, Bud Light, and Molson Canadian, that if you are not out drinking with friends than you are not having a good time. Any type of media such as TV shows, music videos, commercials, and songs feed into the drinking habit. Being exposed to consuming alcohol at a young age can potentially form the addiction to alcoholism later in life. Young individuals want to imitate what they see on television, or on their computers, or what they observe the popular guy or girl participating in. Teenagers will drink at any age to portray the image that they have been taught to try to be for so long. When someone is brought up their whole life only seeing the fun side of drinking they will not think twice about the consequences, or the potential hazard it can have on their lives, the ones around them, and future lives to come. When you are in pubs, restaurants, and bars you are always told about the daily specials, why can’t we also be informed about potential health hazards to our self or future children? It would make people stop and think for once, and possibly even put down their drink.

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