I remember reading one of those (dead white author) American classics. A man had whished for a beer mug that would never empty, and he died of alcoholism. When I’m shopping on a payday, I see workmen walking out of the store with one, two or even more cases of beer. Having known a few of these men I’m certain most of them will polish off the whole thing in a short time. The fact that beer is so incredibly cheap allows the average guy to buy what amounts to an endless supply. Part of this is a reflection of our incredible wealth in comparison to humans of the distant past who had to struggle to find enough calories to survive. The same is true of the incredibly cheap foods. I’ve seen people weighing three hundred or more pounds with a sign reading, “Will work for food.” The excessive drinking, eating, smoking and drugs that cause excessive deaths are all symptomatic of a deeper problem which is in the mind and possibly the genetics of the people who find this excess irresistible. I have no answer, but I daily see people slowly (or sometimes faster) committing suicide.
Good beer isn’t cheap! My fav brands run $10-15 a six pack!
Yes, genetics can be part of it.
Alcoholics come from all social and financial classes. Remember Betty Ford?
She finally got sober and started The Betty Ford Center where people from all walks of life get sober. Or they don’t. Gorgeous Elizabeth Taylor went to “The Betty” several times.