Upon hearing about the problems that alcohol abuse and addiction can cause, many people, especially younger ones, may ask why alcohol is legal if it is known to cause so many problems. The answer lies within two U. S. Constitutional Amendments.
Amendment 18 of the Constitution brought about the period of time in the 1920s known as “Prohibition”. During this time, it was illegal to buy, sell, possess, serve, or otherwise have anything whatsoever to do with alcohol sales and consumption. This included both private and public use of alcohol.
At first, Prohibition seemed to be working. Deaths from alcohol-related illnesses, injuries, and accidents decreased significantly, and other problems associated with alcohol use practically disappeared. However, this lasted only as long as it took for people to figure out a way to get their hands on illegal alcohol or learn how to distill or brew alcoholic beverages themselves, then ultimately make it available to others.
Corruption among law enforcement and government officials increased as payoffs were made so that the transportation and sale of alcohol could continue unabated. When it became apparent that Prohibition was no longer working, the push to have it repealed began. This push led to the ratification of the 21st Amendment which repealed Prohibition and paved the way for legal sales and use of alcoholic beverages. It was at this time that individual states began to make their own laws concerning the sale and use of alcohol.
As with other laws, however, legality does not always ensure that something will be used or done in moderation or in such a way that abuse will not occur, and this is true with alcohol. Many people can control their alcohol consumption and may never have a problem with abuse; however, there are those who will and do. It is for these people that alcohol rehabilitation facilities are available.
Those who need alcohol rehab have many different programs from which to choose. These include inpatient and outpatient programs and support groups, among others. And, the sooner a person admits that a problem with alcohol abuse exists, the sooner he can start on the road to recovery.
For more information on an alcohol rehab program in your area, please contact either through our website, http://www.alcoholrehab.net/, or by calling 1-866-923-1134. We want to help anyone who is suffering with an alcohol problem.
