(Washington Insider Magazine) – From 1920 to 1933, the production, transportation, and sale of alcoholic beverages were prohibited in the United States. Nevertheless, the Prohibition movement ultimately proved unsuccessful, and in present times, a multitude of economic, social, and cultural factors contribute to the continued legality of alcohol for the consumption of adults.
Despite its legality, accessibility, and celebration, it is important to recognize the potential harm associated with alcohol consumption. This danger gives you information about your query: Why should alcohol be illegal? This article will present five arguments supporting the case for making alcohol illegal.
Why Should Alcohol Be Illegal?
To get an answer to the question, why should alcohol be illegal? Please read this section carefully.
1. Alcohol Is Addictive
Alcohol acts as a central nervous system depressant, exhibiting psychoactive characteristics and the propensity for addiction. The degree of addiction varies among individuals, influenced by genetics, upbringing, and other social and environmental factors. Research funded by the National According to recent findings from the Institutes of Health, approximately 29.1% of Americans would satisfy the criteria for Alcohol Use Disorder at some stage during their lives. In the preceding year, 13.9% of individuals met the criteria for this disorder.
Heavy drinkers may develop physical dependence, which can result in severe or life-threatening withdrawal symptoms if alcohol consumption is abruptly halted. These symptoms may include tremors, changes in blood pressure, insomnia, hallucinations, and seizures. Overcoming alcohol addiction and maintaining sobriety often becomes a lifelong struggle.
2. Alcohol Abuse Harms Health
Excessive consumption of alcohol, commonly referred to as alcohol overdose or alcohol poisoning, has the potential to result in a fatality. Excessive alcohol consumption during binge drinking can lead to a dangerous decrease in heart rate, blood pressure, and body temperature, potentially causing brain damage and organ failure.
Moreover, long-term, excessive alcohol intake can result in severe health issues such as high blood pressure, heart disease, liver disease, cancer, dementia, depression, and anxiety. Consuming alcohol during pregnancy has devastating effects on the fetus, with even moderate alcohol consumption increasing the risk of fetal alcohol syndrome, miscarriage, or serious developmental issues.
3. Impaired Judgment Due to Alcohol Use
Many individuals have stories of their adventures and mistakes while under the influence of alcohol. Unfortunately, alcohol’s ability to suppress inhibitions often leads to tragic outcomes when consumed excessively.
Binge drinking is frequently associated with various negative consequences, including drunk driving and car accidents, drownings, domestic violence, financial irresponsibility, risky sexual behavior, rape, violent crime, and other severe accidents. In the long term, heavy drinking can damage relationships with family members, diminish the ability to experience natural pleasure and dampen motivation to study, work, and succeed.
4. Alcohol as a Gateway Drug
A gateway substance is one that often leads to the abuse of more harmful drugs. Surprisingly, alcohol, not tobacco or marijuana, has been identified as the primary gateway drug for underage Americans, according to a 2012 investigation. Furthermore, a study conducted by the National Institutes of Health revealed that 55.3% of high school seniors (all underage) had consumed alcohol within the past year.
This statistic is particularly concerning because, similar to cannabis, alcohol use has detrimental effects on the development of children and teenagers, negatively impacting problem-solving abilities and memory.
5, Alcohol Does Not Resolve Underlying Issues
Many individuals turn to alcohol as a means of escape, temporarily alleviating feelings of stress, depression, or anxiety by inducing a sense of artificial well-being. However, abusing alcohol exacerbates these issues in the long run.
As alcohol consumption and dependence increase, they often contribute to a vicious cycle of negative emotions and compulsive substance abuse, trapping individuals without an easy way out. This pattern may persist until alcohol consumption becomes a perceived necessity rather than a personal choice.
Final Words: Why Should Alcohol be Illegal?
In conclusion, despite the legality and widespread availability of alcohol, it is crucial to acknowledge its potential harm. The addictive nature of alcohol, its detrimental health effects, impaired judgment associated with its use, its role as a gateway drug, and its failure to address underlying issues all present compelling reasons why some argue for making alcohol illegal in the United States. It is important to weigh these concerns against the cultural and economic factors that currently support its legality and accessibility.
