Why Alcohol Is The Most Commonly Abused Substance

By: Lakeview Health Staff
Published: March 17, 2011

Why is Alcohol the Most Commonly Abused Drug in the World? 

Alcohol is one of the most commonly abused substances, both worldwide and in the United States. There are many possible reasons for this, including advertising campaigns, ease of accessibility, social norms and the role that alcohol has come to play in many of our events and celebrations. Alcohol is also one of the oldest substances, with many cultures having discovered the process of fermentation and alcohol production.  

Historically, many large cities were plagued by waterborne diseases, such as cholera and typhoid. These would cause death tolls that led many to favor drinking (relatively safer) alcoholic beverages, like beer, instead of polluted water. More recently, studies have come out supporting myths like a glass of wine with a meal makes you healthier, without factoring in the many opposing studies that state that any amount of alcohol can cause a range of cancers, birth defects and lead to the development of many mental and physical health disorders.   

Regardless of how we have come to use alcohol or why it is so widespread, there is no denying that alcohol is a toxic, dangerous and psychoactive substance that has great potential for harm. Scientists have discovered that it is the substance that causes most harm overall – to both individuals and their communities.  

How Much Alcohol is Safe and How Much is Too Much? 

Different health organizations around the world report different exact measurements, but the short answer is that the less someone drinks the less harm caused. The World Health Organization  (WHO) recently released an impassioned press release that states that they believe that no amount of alcohol consumption could be considered “safe”. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) still follow the guidance of the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans and recommend no more than 1 drink per day for women and 2 for men, yet also state that it is better not to drink at all. All unequivocally state that no amount of alcohol is safe for pregnant mothers to drink. 

 

The Lakeview Health team discusses risks associated with exceeding the alcohol limits addressed in the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans:

 

Alcohol use is one of the leading risk factors for death and disability worldwide. It can cause harm to the individual and others through accidents and injuries, assault, homicide and suicide. Alcohol use leads to the development of various cancers, heart disease, liver cirrhosis, alcohol use disorder and many other mental and physical health problems. Alcohol consumption during pregnancy can cause serious developmental delays and fetal alcohol syndrome. 

How Can I Drink Alcohol Safely? 

Scientists and medical professionals agree that there is no way to drink alcohol safely. However, there are some ways to limit alcohol intake or choose to stop drinking. These practices are not suitable for everyone, especially those who suffer from alcohol dependence or who have been diagnosed with alcohol use disorder (AUD). If you believe that you or a loved one has developed an unhealthy relationship with alcohol, seek the help of medical professionals. Never try to detox or go “cold turkey” without medical supervision as it can be very dangerous and even fatal. Help is available. 

Although the WHO would recommend that no alcohol consumption is best, it is also undeniable that alcohol has a deep-rooted place in many cultures and is legal to consume by those over 21 in the US. Some of the ways that you can still participate in the cultural practice of drinking are to drink mindfully and stay sober curious. Drinking mindfully means that you really take note of how drinking alcohol affects your mind and body. It goes hand in hand with being sober curious, as this is the idea of questioning how much, why and when we drink alcohol.  

Being mindful of the psychological and physical effects of alcohol helps to place you in the present and makes you less likely to just “go along with” others. This is by no means a method to place blame on the individual and go back to the myth of thinking of alcohol misuse or alcohol use disorder as a moral vice, but rather a reminder that empowers the individual to take an active, rather than passive role in their alcohol consumption. By  checking in, the person can challenge the dominant drinking culture that pervades some social situations and not be pressured into drinking. 

How to Practice Mindful Drinking and Be Sober Curious? 

Although these ideas seem to be more of a mindset and a lifestyle, there are many actionable ways to start. Some things that you can do to check your alcohol use and stay proactive in your relationship with alcohol include: 

  1. Setting a daily and weekly drinking limit – write it down and keep it close 
  2. Recording how much you drink and when 
  3. Remembering that it is your body and drinking is (or should be) your choice  
  4. Questioning how drinking alcohol made you feel 
  5. Noting and recording any situations that you feel trigger unhealthy drinking habits 
  6. Avoid situations and triggers that cause you to drink 
  7. Actively work to reframe your perception of drinking and question if anyone really “needs” to drink – is sobriety your ultimate goal? 
  8. Recruit support from friends and loved ones to help stay within your set limits 
  9. Talk to medical professionals openly and honestly about your alcohol use and seek help if you find yourself self-medicating any disorder with alcohol 

If you feel that you or a loved one may have an unhealthy relationship with alcohol, you should reach out and seek help. Recovery is possible.