Americans are drinking as much alcohol now as in Civil War days

One result of Prohibition (AD 1920-1933) was, it gave alcohol a bad name. That effect lasted for decades. Not with everyone, but with many. One beer spokesman mentioned that it was not until the 1980s that the beer industry recovered from Prohibition.

Sadly, that effect of “giving alcohol a bad name” is about gone. But it is still wise, prudent to be sober and stay away from alcohol and other recreational drugs.

http://gulfcoastpastor.blogspot.com/2015/03/ancient-wine-and-bible-book-update.html

David R. Brumbelow

2.51 gallons per year is about 8kG of pure alcohol per year, and at 14g/standard drink, that means that the average American ages 14 and older drinks ~567 drinks per year. They calculate 535 at 0.6 fluid ounces, but I'm not going to quibble.

About 1/3 of this population does not drink, so the average dose is ~851 drinks, including women and a bunch of kids who are technically not legal. This is ~2.5 drinks per day, or a bit on the excessive side, according to CDC and NIH, even more grown men.

Would be interesting to see the Pareto. I heard once that 90% of drinking is done by 10% of the population, and this seems consistent with that. And for that matter, even if the substance were Mt. Dew, it would be harmful--"you want to get that many calories in liquid form....why?" In one of his short stories, one Russian writer noted "the drunk does not eat". At 100 calories per serving of vodka, yes, this would be an issue.