What if alcoholism had not been invented? The dynamics of American alcohol mythology

Abstract

This essay speculates on what might have been had alcoholism not been invented. The invention is viewed as a product of the ongoing myth-making process whereby society continuously defines and redefines alcohol, seeking to integrate it into the culture in ways that allow enjoyment of its pleasures with minimum pain. Had alcoholism not been invented, (a) the myth-making process might have yielded another simplistic explanation of drunkenness, but more likely alcohol would have remained the supposed cause; (b) the per capita alcohol consumption uptrend of some 50 years standing might not have reversed as it did in 1982; (c) chronic drunkards might still be denied life-saving hospitalization which gains them more time for the natural reform process to work for them; and (d) local communities nationwide might have taken common-sense actions to facilitate the natural rehabilitation process and provided more benefit to more alcoholics for less cost than treating alcoholism. It is expected that Americans will continue to drink and will continue to seek a more harmonious relationship with alcohol. The informal social controls will continue to largely constrain individual appetites for alcohol's pleasures, and most alcoholics will continue to gain control of their excessive drinking in the natural course of events with or without exposure to alcoholism treatment.

Smokers and beer drinkers: values and consumer susceptibility to interpersonal influence

“…Adult smoking rates have declined substantially in North America and Australia over the past 30 years (Hill et al, 1998;Mendez et al, 1998). Similarly, alcohol consumption has declined among adults over the past 15-20 years, albeit at a slower rate (Midanik and Clark, 1994;Mulford, 1994;Smart and Mann, 1995;Wilsnack and Wilsnack, 1995). In spite of these general population trends, smoking and drinking continue to be common amongst college students (Sax, 1997).…”

Harold A. Mulford Jr, 1922–2012

“…This gave Hal a definitive platform to ask: 'What if alcoholism had not been invented? The dynamics of American alcohol mythology' [1]. This was the only publication in which Hal articulated fully his ideas about the significance of the natural recovery process and a general cynicism towards the alcoholism industry as an organizational machine that feeds itself.…”