Can the majority of people control themselves though in the view of social normalisation of a poison like alcohol?
The very fact that you (as do most of us) consider it a "normal life" activity indicates a very skewed and unhealthy perspective has taken hold at a fundamental level.
> The very fact that you (as do most of us) consider it a "normal life" activity indicates a very skewed and unhealthy perspective has taken hold at a fundamental level.
I would argue it and the stats answers your own question. By in large yes they can. And personally I’m not one to judge peoples lifestyle decisions provided it’s not an epidemic of people doing things like b&E to hawk a motel microwave to get their next fix.
Im not sure I follow. Or how you would quantify that. Im sure most could probably quit cold turkey without physical withdrawal if that is what you mean. It takes a lot more than 4-10 drinks/day to be at risk of DT or even tremors.
There are plenty of toxins that we freely ingest daily..Heck water in sufficient amounts is a toxin. Pretty much anything your liver has to process is a toxin in some form (i know thats simplifying it but still....).
It would be easy to argue its not even the most abused or greatest threat to our health. I would argue that would would be sugar, or more specifically HFCS. Thats in literally everything, from crackers to gatorade. It also abused by people ranging from young children, even toddlers to the elderly. And Obesity and related diseases kills at much higher rates. Congestive Hearth Failure alone kills around 500k people a year in the US..
And I would argue etOH isnt really even 2nd place in the list of normalized drugs we abuse readily. Caffeine is probably that one, and there are PLENTY that couldn't quit that cold turkey if they wanted (I am one of them, and have tried multiple times). Its also another one used by both kids and adults.
I'd agree with most of those (with the caveat they don't have the same direct link with misery, mental illness, violence, crime and general anti-social behaviour) but don't see how us accepting them is justification for accepting alcohol beyond a defeatist "it all sucks so why bother".
Neither was I talking about physical dependency particularly; I see enough people failing miserably on simple stuff like dry January ("ha ha I only lasted 3 days" and the like) to be extremely sceptical that it is as easy as you imply to walk away from, especially in a society which surrounds us with it and sells it as "social" and normal.
>with the caveat they don't have the same direct link with misery, mental illness, violence, crime and general anti-social behaviour
Many people use it exactly that way. Epecially with depression etc.
And ultimately I am not of the opinion that we need to manage other peoples vices, or sources of temporary happiness. Alcohol is a very social vice and 99% of people can manage it responsibly.
So provided they arent direct contributors to larger issues in society (such as meth/opiates directly causing crime etc.), I dont think the government needs to be in the business of restriciting people freedoms (which does include the freedom to self-destructive behavior).
Otherwise where do you stop? Mandating exercise? Banning burgers? Ultimately we cant nerf the world. Prohibition doesnt work, if the 20's doesnt show you just look at the drug war and marijuana.
The very fact that you (as do most of us) consider it a "normal life" activity indicates a very skewed and unhealthy perspective has taken hold at a fundamental level.