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The term alcoholism was first used by Swedish physician Magnus Huss in an 1852 publication to describe the systemic adverse effects of alcohol. [16] Alcohol has a long history of use and misuse throughout recorded history. Biblical, Egyptian and Babylonian sources record the history of abuse and dependence on alcohol.
While current beers are 3–5% alcohol, the beer drunk in the historical past was generally 1% or so. [citation needed] This was known as 'small beer'. However, the production and distribution of spirits spread slowly. Spirit drinking was still largely for medicinal purposes throughout most of the 16th century. It has been said of distilled ...
Worldwide consumption in 2019 was equal to 5.5 litres of pure alcohol consumed per person aged 15 years or older. [6] This is a decrease from the 5.7 litres in 2010. Distilled alcoholic beverages are the most consumed, followed by beer and wines.
Alcohol education is the planned provision of information and skills relevant to living in a world where alcohol is commonly misused. [3] WHO Global Status Report on Alcohol and Health, highlights the fact that alcohol will be a larger problem in later years, with estimates suggesting it will be the leading cause of disability and death.
The alcohol monopoly system has a long history in various countries, often implemented to limit the availability and consumption of alcohol for public health and social welfare reasons. The alcohol monopoly was created in the Swedish town of Falun in 1850, to prevent overconsumption and reduce the profit motive for sales of alcohol.
Alcohol use is a major cause of preventable liver disease worldwide, and alcoholic liver disease is the main alcohol-related chronic medical illness. [6] Millions of people of all ages, from adolescents to the elderly, engage in unhealthy drinking. [7] In the United States, excessive alcohol use costs more than $249 billion annually. [8]
Alcoholism, also known as "alcohol use disorder", is a broad term for any drinking of alcohol that results in problems. [45] Alcoholism reduces a person's life expectancy by around ten years [46] and alcohol use is the third-leading cause of early death in the United States. [43] Consumption of alcohol in any quantity can cause cancer.
The world's religions have had different relationships with alcohol, reflecting diverse cultural, social, and religious practices across different traditions. While some religions strictly prohibit alcohol consumption, viewing it as sinful or harmful to spiritual and physical well-being, others incorporate it into their rituals and ceremonies.