Role of Environment in Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism

While environmental factors, such as the ease of obtaining alcohol, TV commercials and billboards advertising alcohol will not make someone an alcoholic who is not prone to it, it may encourage or trigger underage drinking, binge drinking and other problem drinking. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism reports that the following preventive measures may reduce alcohol-related problems:

• Higher taxes on alcoholic beverages
• Restrictions on alcohol advertising, including billboards
• Raised legal drinking ages
• Zero tolerance laws for drivers younger than 21
• Revised college campus policies and procedures regarding alcohol
• Administrative license revocation laws
• Liquor server liability and server training
• Warning labels
• Community education and school training programs
• Educational programs, such as life skills training
• Other innovative initiatives on local, state and federal levels

Related Articles Risk Factors for Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse Role of Heredity in Alcoholism Frequently Asked Questions About Drinking Problems Effects of Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse What Is Alcoholism?

External Sources National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Inc. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD)

This article was reviewed and updated June 2007.

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