Rates of alcoholism in two countries compared to US
Two countries where the drinking age is 16 include Germany and Luxembourg among others (Deutsche Welle, 2012). This age limit has allowed various individuals to legally access alcohol despite the warnings. Considerably, the rates of drinking alcohol has increased in both countries with Germany and Luxembourg rated fifth and fourth heaviest drinking countries in Europe after Hungary, Czech Republic and Ireland (Deutsche Welle, 2012).
When compared to US, the drinking rates in these countries are still higher. It is notable that the drinking rates in US are increasingly considerable. This varies from one state to the next depending on the federal laws guiding the aspects of alcoholism in each state. It is important to agree that legal drinking age can contribute considerably to the societal attitude towards drinking.
Evidently, children from the concerned countries will grow knowing that alcohol is legalized and consumable. This will lead to youths indulging in drinking at younger ages. This will promote the provisions of drug abuse and addiction. The legal drinking age is influential and acts as one of the contributors to drug abuse and addiction noticed among the youths and minority groups.
Alcohol Self-Assessment Test
The questions provided in this test tend to unveil self-perceptions of addicts concerning alcoholic behaviors, the frequency at which they drink, and their experiences as drinkers (Palo Alto Medical Foundation, 2012). The test writer follows critical views of alcoholism ranging from social impacts to economic damages. Additionally, the questions reflect on societal views regarding alcoholism by trying to unearth social impacts that alcoholism fronts to the concerned drinkers.
Comparing and contrasting ‘disease model of alcoholism’ with ‘social-setting’ theory
Since alcoholism is a form of addiction, it can be graded in the ‘disease model of addiction’ in order to illuminate most of its provisions. Firstly, it demands some biological contributions, which are triggered, steered, and nurtured by the environmental factors incorporating the societal factors. In comparison, when there is alcoholism in the social setting, there are higher chances that the concerned entities will comply to the disease models of alcoholism.
Precisely, alcoholism (as an addiction factor) is promoted by the social-settings assumed by an individual. If an individual lives in a place where alcohol is promoted and embraced, there are higher chances that the concerned social-setting will trigger his/her addiction probabilities. This is promoted by the biological/genetic factors as claimed by the disease model of addiction.
Benefits and drawbacks of controlled-drinking theory
Controlled drinking has numerous benefits when considered critically. Firstly, the move can help in reducing the incidences of drug abuse and addiction. Young people will not indulge into drinking at their tender ages, a fact that promotes drug abuse and the alleged addiction (Peele & Alexander, 2012). Additionally, such restriction serves as drug abuse prevention mechanisms since people will not attempt to break the law deliberately.
Another benefit is that people will drink responsible thus reducing their indulgence into excessive drinking and alcoholism. This is quite beneficial to drunkards who can hardly control their drinking behaviors. Evidently, alcohol consumption requires stringent regulation in order to minimize irresponsible behaviors and the aspects of addiction.
The drawbacks of controlled-drinking theory range from economic factors to social provisions. When alcohol-drinking is controlled, it means that businesses dealing with alcohol will not boom. Concurrently, drinkers will not enjoy to their fullest and social aspects associated with alcohol will be compromised.
References
Deutsche Welle. (2012). The Highs and Lows of Germany’s Drinking Culture. Web.
Palo Alto Medical Foundation. (2012). Alcohol Quiz. Web.
Peele, S. & Alexander, B. (2012). The Meaning of Addiction. Web.