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Why Does America Embrace Over-Drinking?
This weekend SantaCon revelers in New York City stumbled through the streets, dressed in red and white Santa outfits, spilling eggnog-infused cheer. When I look at drunken photos from the event, it’s hard not to reflect on how deeply ingrained excessive drinking is in American culture. SantaCon, Drinksgiving, St. Patrick’s Day, New Year’s Eve—each of these "holidays" represents a societal acceptance of binge drinking.
But behind the laughs, shared toasts, and viral TikToks lies a troubling reality: excessive alcohol consumption is a leading cause of preventable death in the United States, taking nearly 178,000 lives annually!
I'm sure that many who read this will think, "Well, she's just a bitter alcoholic that doesn't want others to drink or 'have fun!" But, that isn't it. I don't have an issue with drinking itself. In fact, I rarely think about whether or not someone chooses to drink. For many people, alcohol can be part of a joyful and responsible life—something to enjoy over dinner, toast at a celebration, or relax with after a long day.
What fascinates (and frustrates) me is the contradiction in how our society approaches alcohol. On one hand, we have a devastating problem with alcoholism—an epidemic of excessive drinking that ruins lives, tears families apart, and costs thousands of lives each year. And yet, on the other hand, we embrace and even celebrate over-drinking as a normal, even funny, part of life.
Think about it: Our culture not only tolerates but encourages binge drinking through events like SantaCon, St. Patrick’s Day parades, Drinksgiving, and New Year’s Eve parties. It’s seen as a rite of passage for college students and young adults, and excessive drinking is woven into the fabric of many traditions.
How can a society simultaneously suffer from rampant alcoholism and glorify over-drinking? It’s a contradiction worth exploring—not to criticize drinking itself, but to understand how our collective attitude might contribute to the very problems we claim to want to solve.
Excessive alcohol use isn’t just a minor issue—it’s a massive public health crisis. Each year, nearly 178,000 people in the U.S. die from alcohol-related causes, including chronic conditions like liver disease, heart disease, and cancer, as well as acute incidents like car crashes, alcohol poisoning, and suicides. To put that into perspective, that’s almost 500 deaths every single day. What’s more, the lives of those who die from alcohol-related causes are shortened by an average of 24 years. That’s 4 million years of potential life lost annually. Source
Binge drinking is one of the biggest culprits. It’s the most common way people drink excessively, and it’s tied to one-third of alcohol-related deaths. Think about how normalized this behavior has become. At parties or celebrations, having "just one more" is not only acceptable but often encouraged. Yet, the risks go far beyond just waking up with a hangover. Alcohol is involved in 40% of U.S. homicides, more than cocaine or heroin. It also increases the likelihood of assaults, nonconsensual sex, and fatal accidents. Despite all this, we often laugh it off—"drunk antics" are the stuff of Instagram posts and next-day gossip, rather than serious reflection.
The economic costs of excessive drinking are staggering as well. Alcohol-related harms cost the U.S. $249 billion each year, and taxpayers foot a significant portion of that bill. To put this in perspective, for every dollar the government collects in alcohol taxes, over $14 is spent addressing the damage caused by drinking. Yet, alcohol is more accessible than ever. During the pandemic, liquor stores were deemed essential businesses, and many states expanded alcohol delivery options. While other public health crises like smoking and drug addiction receive intense scrutiny, alcohol continues to fly under the radar, despite being one of the most dangerous substances. Source
So, why do we ignore the obvious? Perhaps it’s because alcohol is so deeply ingrained in our lives that we’ve stopped questioning it. After all, it fuels industries, celebrations, and social rituals. But maybe it’s time to take a closer look. Why do we treat alcohol abuse as a personal failing when we actively glorify the behaviors that lead to it? And why do we continue to turn a blind eye to the costs—human, financial, and social—of our collective drinking habits?
I’m not saying we need to ban alcohol or stop celebrating life’s milestones with a glass of wine or champagne. (Although I did write several blogs about how to have fun and stay sober during the holidays last year - including a fun Sober New Year's Eve!). But it’s worth asking ourselves: Can we create a culture where drinking doesn’t have to mean over-drinking? One where moderation is celebrated as much as excess? The stakes couldn’t be higher, and the solutions start with shifting our perspective.
Let’s see the bottle—and its impact—with sober eyes.
Thanks for reading! Please let me know if you like this so I can do more on the topic! Also, feel free to share with your friends and family.
AND - Stay tuned for some fun and creative videos on TikTok and Instagram where I’ll share ideas for celebrating the holidays sober. Because let’s face it—there’s so much more to life (and holidays!) than just getting drunk. Follow along for inspiration, tips, and ways to make this season truly joyful—no hangovers required! @WomenintheRooms
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