The History of Addiction All manner of substances have been used by Americans throughout our history. Colonial societies and their ancestors relied on creations of natural substances to cure ailments, relieve pain and to provide pleasure. Tobacco users were evident in their enjoyment. Alcoholic drinkers could be found in every saloon, and alcohol was served openly in homes and at social gatherings. Even opium dens of the west coast were well known, and opium could be purchased readily, free from state or federal government controls.
Whether its caffeine, nicotine, or marijuana, or cocaine drugs of choice have defined our history, bringing tragic results for the most part. The problems we see today existed in other forms and with other drugs …show more content…
Water was very questionable because it was associated with diseases, and often it wasn 't clean, nor did it taste good. Alcohol was an import from arriving settlers. “The puritans called liquid spirits a good creature God, a dependable source for food and medicine” (Boon, 2002). Very often people added rum to the water to kill anything in the water just to make it passable. According to our text book, in 1784, Dr. Benjamin Rush issued the first medical warning to Americans that heavy, chronic use of alcohol, also known as “spirits”, could lead to mental and physical damage, even death. By then, drinking was valued for more than just food and medicine, it had become tied to the business of politics and power. Slaves were purposely given alcohol to keep them on plantations. Not surprisingly, public drunkenness was common. Americans were forced to re-evaluate alcohol, due to related illnesses and violence was rising. Eventually, this led to prohibition. Prohibition was the period in United States history in which the manufacture, sale, and transportation of intoxicating liquors was outlawed. It was a time characterized by speakeasies, glamor, and gangsters and a period of time in which even the average citizen broke the
Whether its caffeine, nicotine, or marijuana, or cocaine drugs of choice have defined our history, bringing tragic results for the most part. The problems we see today existed in other forms and with other drugs …show more content…
Water was very questionable because it was associated with diseases, and often it wasn 't clean, nor did it taste good. Alcohol was an import from arriving settlers. “The puritans called liquid spirits a good creature God, a dependable source for food and medicine” (Boon, 2002). Very often people added rum to the water to kill anything in the water just to make it passable. According to our text book, in 1784, Dr. Benjamin Rush issued the first medical warning to Americans that heavy, chronic use of alcohol, also known as “spirits”, could lead to mental and physical damage, even death. By then, drinking was valued for more than just food and medicine, it had become tied to the business of politics and power. Slaves were purposely given alcohol to keep them on plantations. Not surprisingly, public drunkenness was common. Americans were forced to re-evaluate alcohol, due to related illnesses and violence was rising. Eventually, this led to prohibition. Prohibition was the period in United States history in which the manufacture, sale, and transportation of intoxicating liquors was outlawed. It was a time characterized by speakeasies, glamor, and gangsters and a period of time in which even the average citizen broke the