[Mythology of alcohol drinking]

Area of Science:

• Sociology
• Social Psychology
• Cultural Studies

Context:

• Social order necessitates conformity to established norms.
• Alcohol consumption exists within a spectrum of social adherence and personal psychotropic seeking.
• The perception of alcohol consumption is influenced by societal standards and individual behavior.

Purpose:

• To analyze the social construction of alcohol consumption and alcoholism.
• To differentiate between alcoholization as social participation and alcoholism as perceived deviation.
• To examine the role of societal perception and labeling in the experience of alcoholism.

Summary:

• Alcohol consumption, or alcoholization, can be a means of adhering to social standards or a personal pursuit of psychotropic effects.
• Alcoholism is not a clinical diagnosis but a social label applied when alcoholization is perceived as a deviation or existential tactic.
• This perception and the associated 'disease' model, along with treatment ideas, function as social myths impacting individuals.

Impact:

• Understanding alcoholism as a social construct challenges clinical perspectives and highlights the role of stigma.
• Recognizing the social dynamics of alcohol use can inform more nuanced public health and social support strategies.
• The labeling of individuals as 'alcoholic' can lead to marginalization and personal misfortune, underscoring the power of social judgment.