Alcoholism as Blaming the Alcoholic

Abstract

Theories of alcoholism imply that most American drinkers have an ability, which the alcoholic lacks, to drink without problems. The presence or absence of this ability or capacity in the drinker presumably accounts for the incidence of alcohol problems in society. Normally the idea of an ability or a capacity is applied only after an individual has been exposed to the risk of problems from a hazard or difficult task and when an individual avoids these problems by their efforts. Survey data reveal that most American drinkers have a rather limited exposure to alcohol and are not at risk for problems. This low exposure to alcohol, rather than some drinking ability, accounts for the absence of problems. The entire practice of treating drinking and the occurrence of problems in the idiom of individual abilities, capacities or control can be incorrect and is systematically misleading. A public health approach to alcohol problems should identify the risks for all associated with hazardous intakes of alcohol and should seek to reduce these hazards chiefly by reducing the overall consumption of alcohol.