5.6b Alcohol Use

Norms and laws around alcohol use vary widely (World Health Organization, 2018). Worldwide, the legal drinking age ranges from 13 to 25 years old. In most countries, it is 18, and some countries ban all alcohol consumption regardless of age because of religious beliefs. For example, Islamic countries, including Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Bangladesh, ban alcohol consumption. Still, in some cases, foreigners and non-Muslim citizens are exempt.

Furthermore, norms exist on the type of alcohol consumed by whom and under what circumstances. For instance, drinking beer before noon may be considered deviant unless it occurs after working the night shift, at brunch, or while tailgating before a football game. Whether this alcohol consumption also violates the law depends on location.

Photo 5.17

Drinking Alcohol While Tailgating Before a Football Game is Considered Normative

In cultures and subcultures where drinking alcohol is viewed favorably, abstaining is deviant. It can be considered positive deviance because alcohol is harmful even when it is legal and socially acceptable. Alcohol use is linked to multiple adverse outcomes. It is one of the “leading preventable causes of death in the U.S.” (Esser et al., 2022, p. 1).

Rates of alcohol use are changing in the United States. Young adults are drinking less than younger adults did in the past (Saad, 2023b) (see Figure 5.12). It is unknown what is driving this change. However, older age groups are drinking more than people of the same age in earlier decades.