A new National Institutes of Health (NIH) study reports that the number of drunks in the United States has reached epidemic levels, although the problem is centuries old. Recent data from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) suggests that:

[N]early one-third of adults in the United States have an AUD at some time in their lives, but only about 20 percent seek AUD treatment.

AUD is defined as follows:

Alcohol use disorder, or AUD, is the medical diagnosis for problem drinking that causes mild to severe distress or harm.

The conclusion of the NIAAA work on the matter:

The researchers found that rates of AUD were greater among men than women, and that age was inversely related to past-year AUD diagnosis. Among adults between ages 18 and 29, more than 7 percent had an AUD within the past year, suggesting a need for more effective prevention and intervention efforts among young people. More broadly, the researchers note the urgent need for efforts aimed at educating the public about AUD and its treatment, as well as destigmatizing the disorder.

So, the severity of the trouble cannot be underestimated. Based on the figures, alcohol abuse ranks at a level as serious as smoking, almost certainly.

Like smoking, the liquor and beer industries warn about the effects of heavy drinking and even support public service ads. Bottles carry warnings for pregnant woman and about the dangers of driving. Ultimately, however, their primary argument is that adults should be able to do as they please when it comes to drinking. It is a privilege everyone of age should enjoy. And that privilege fuels billions of dollars of profits, which shareholders should continue to enjoy. What is the responsibility of management anyway?

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The alcohol industry’s argument is the same as the ones for cigarettes and fast food. While each acknowledges the problems, none is willing to make decisions about distribution of its products that would cut down dangerous habits because this would undermine profits. What other explanation is there?

Why should any of the companies in these industries make decisions in favor of the health of its customers? It is a free country.

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