Alcoholism

Alcoholism

 You might have heard about alcoholism. You would have also seen some people lying on road after drinking liquor. Simple meaning of alcoholism is taking liquor as an addict. Drinking is as old civilization. These is hardly any country, community, or age in which drinking does not prevail. 

There are societies in which taking local beer is allowed, e. g., tribal societies. Tribals prepare Haria (rice beer) . Men women and children share 'haria' on 

festive and ceremonial occasions . They also prepare Mahua liquor . In Hindu culture , men are allowed to drink Bhang and Mahua liquor . Now - a - days , taking liquor on the occasion of marriage ceremonies , parties gathering etc has become a modern fashion . The poor drink toddy and low quality liquor where as the rich drink foreign made good quality of wine like whisky , rum and scotch . Drinking may be necessary for the people in cold regions . They take liquor before dinner regularly . In army , foreign diplomacy , doctors , top lawyers , industrialists and bureaucracy , taking liquor is accepted behavior . Consumption of liquor on festive ceremonies , festivals , marriage and party etc. is taken as symbol of status and wealth . Drinkers hold view that drinking provides individual pleasure and heightens emotions . So taking liquor has social acceptance on some occasions . But alcoholism as social deviance does not have social sanction . It has negative sanctions of society . It is taken as a bad habit which leads to personality disorganisation , family disorganisation and social disorganisation .

 When an individual becomes habituated to drinking liquor , he is called a drunkard . He loses respect not only in his family but in the whole society . He does not take care of his children . He beats his wife to get her ornaments . He sells ornaments for drinking . They meet premature death . They sell their land and property for it . They leave their children , wives and other family members to their fate . Rather , they create problems of different kinds . Drunkards are also involved in theft , dacoity , loot , sex crime , manhandling , murder and suicide .

 People take liquor to enjoy ceremonies , festivals , parties and gathering . They also consume it to remove frustrations and tensions . Some drink to remove tiredness . Some drink to show their status and wealth . Some take liquor as a matter of fashion . But when they become addicted and do not share any kind of responsibility and obligations , they deviate from the norms and values of society . They indulge in anti - social behaviour .

 The Excise Department controls the production and sale of liquor . But policies of the Government and pressure from the industrialists cum - traders come in the way of prohibition . Industrialisation and modernisation have increased the consumption of liquor . It is also a good source of income for the government .