Alcoholism in America is growing rapidly. More and more people are turning to alcohol due to societal influences and to escape underlying emotional issues. As a community, we should try to understand the needs of the alcoholic and help them in their recovery. Everyday an alcoholic is sent to prison as a punishment for their disease. Is this a permanent solution in treating the problems that alcoholics have?
Alcoholism is a problem we all face. Whether it has been a person we have lost due to a drunk driver or knowing someone that has had a problem functioning normally because of their addiction. Most people would probably agree that putting them behind bars would make it safer for all of us. This is one of the reasons why so many alcoholics are in prison today. People who are not alcoholics sometimes do not understand why an alcoholic cannot just use a little willpower to stop drinking. After all, the law says, that drunk driving and public intoxication is prohibited. Most people would probably agree because of the rising number of drunk driving and high number of deaths from alcohol consumption. It is based on the notion that if someone drinks, you lock them up. There was never any treatment…and everything we know about addiction, says that is not how you deal with it. This is why there are so many alcoholics in our prisons today. The idea of prison might scare a drinker to stop, but for many it is almost an impossible thought.
Over the past one hundred and fifty years, alcohol has been defined as a moral weakness. The problem is a historic inability to reach a national agreement of the role of alcohol in America. It was once believed that alcohol abuse was just a flaw in ones character. In 1970, Congress and President Richard Nixon signed The Comprehensive Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Prevention, Treatment, and Rehabilitation Act (Hewitt). This Federal program recognized alcohol abuse and alcoholism as major public health issues. It created awareness and helped conduct comprehensive research of alcohol addiction. Alcoholism is in fact a disease with various symptoms and indeed runs in families from genes, but from lifestyle too. It cannot be cured but it can be treated. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, nearly fourteen million people in the United States abuse alcohol or are alcoholics. For a better perspective, that’s about one in every thirteen adults (NIAAA). That is a significant number that will continue to rise and create problems in our societies if we do not acknowledge and educate our youth and communities about the damaging effects alcohol abuse can do to their lives.
Americas struggle with alcoholism is long over due and needs to be addressed to our communities. Not all alcoholics are criminals and some aren’t even capable of making a decision about their own interest. An alcoholic not only faces a drinking problem but also has many other emotionally unstable issues. We need to recognize that these people need severe emotional and mental help. Most people who drink in excess have low self esteem, are depressed, or simply do it because of peer pressure (Alcoholism). A psychiatric evaluation should be conducted for anyone who has these issues or who has been in jail for alcohol related crime. Getting to the core of the problem will help them see why they escape to alcohol as a solution. Alcoholics who have broken the law and are required to serve time in prison should be treated the same way. There is no logic in sentencing them to prison if they don’t acknowledge their addiction before hand. This can do more harm then good. It could decrease their self-esteem, raise their depression level and overall lower their outlook on life. We can stop this cycle by supporting our local agencies and demonstrating a positive approach on alcoholic issues.
The constant struggle with alcohol and its abuse affects all of us. These problems occur in our workplace, schools, and especially in our families. The role that we all play in this issue will determine how we can overcome the negative involvement of alcohol in our community. The support that we offer any person who drinks excessively is crucial. The more informed our communities and schools are about alcohol will help people of all ages see the negative effects of alcohol abuse. Creating better solutions and positive outlooks will help keep alcoholics out of prison and into rehabilitation hospitals. These people are sick and need immediate medical attention. Their lives and the future of our societies depend on it.

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