I. Meaning of Alcoholism: Simple meaning of alcoholism is taking liquor as an addict. Drinking is as old as civilization. There is hardly any country, community, or age in which drinking does not prevail.
There are societies in which taking local beer is allowed, e.g., tribal societies. Tribals prepare Haria (rice beer). Men, women and children share haria' on festive and ceremonial occasions. They also prepare Mahua liquor. In Hindu culture, men are allowed to drink Bhang and Mahua liquor. Now-a-days, drinking liquor on the occasion of marriage ceremonies, parties gathering etc. has become a modern fashion. The poor drink toddy and low quality liquor whereas the rich drink foreign made good quality wine like whisky, rum and scotch. Drinking may be necessary for the people in cold regions. They take liquor before dinner regularly. In the army, foreign diplomacy, doctors, top lawyers, industrialists and bureaucracy, drinking liquor is accepted behaviour. Consumption of liquor on festive ceremonies, festivals, marriage and party etc. is taken as a symbol of status and wealth.
II. Evil effects of Alcoholism:
(i) Alcoholism as social deviance does not have social sanction. It has negative sanctions on society. It is taken as a bad habit which leads to personality disorganisation, family disorganisation and social disorganisation.
(ii) When an individual becomes habituated to drinking liquor, he is called a drunkard. He loses respect not only in his family but in the whole society.
(iii) He does not take care of his children. He beats his wife to get her ornaments. He sells ornaments for drinking. They meet premature death.
(iv) They sell their land and property for it. They leave their children, wives and other family members to their fate. Rather, they create problems of different kinds.
(v) Drunkards are also involved in theft, dacoity, loot, sex crime, manhandling, murder and suicide.
