Sociological Perspective on Health

Most common drugs: Alcohol and nicotine

The most commonly abused drugs in the United States are alcohol and nicotine.

According to the statistical abstract, Americans consume on average 37 gallons of alcohol per year, the majority being beer at an average of 32 gallons per year.

The remaining 5 gallons is comprised of 3 gallons of wine and 2 gallons of other distilled alcohol.

At this rate, Americans consume more beer than either coffee or milk.

Beer consumption has become a major issue on college campuses with recent epidemics of binge drinking, particularly by college males.

Many incidents have resulted in injury and death.

Although many recent studies have extolled the health benefits of moderate alcohol consumption, the emphasis of these studies is upon moderate consumption or one or fewer glasses of wine per day.

Some emerging studies indicate that the health benefits may be the same for grape juice and wine.

Alcohol increases the risk of birth defects, and women who are or may become pregnant should not consume alcohol.

In 1964 the surgeon general issued the first warning that smoking could be hazardous to health.

Since then the evidence has mounted and the powerful tobacco industry has increasingly found itself on the losing side of lawsuits.

Emphysema, lung cancer, heart disease, and other cancers are attributed to smoking.

Morbidity experts estimate nicotine kills about 390,000 Americans each year, making it the most deadly recreational drug.

Individuals and states have sued for damages in these losses, and for the costs incurred with caring for nicotine‐induced diseases.

The role of second‐hand smoke in disease has also been recognized.

Although cigarette advertising is limited, it remains a central controversy, especially advertising aimed at teens and youth.