Alcoholism is on the rise

Alcoholism is on the rise.

My brother died at age 49 of alcoholic liver failure. I do not see his case as an individual failure, but as a systemic societal failure. 

Here are some ways I have learned that those of us who do not struggle with alcohol abuse can help our brothers and sisters, friends and neighbors who do:

Encourage our federal and state governments to pass Medicare for all legislation. Alcoholism is a disease that needs a team of doctors and mental health care providers to treat the whole person. If a person has no affordable health care, they will continue to struggle.

Encourage local, state, and federal governments to legalize the medical use of marijuana. Many people, including my brother, began self-medicating with marijuana but turned to alcohol after getting into legal trouble. Marijuana prescriptions from doctors are safer treatments for pain and anxiety than alcohol.

Work with church leaders, educators, and families to dismantle the patriarchy. Toxic masculinity and femininity teaches us to repress natural human emotions. Often people abuse alcohol as a way to numb uncomfortable emotions.

Work with our communities to dismantle classism. Encourage working class people to feel pride in their jobs. Every worker deserves a living wage and the knowledge that their work is a piece of the whole that supports our economy. Encourage upper class people to focus their talents and strengths on making the world a better place for humanity rather than solely focusing on their individual bank accounts.

Cultivate a sense of belonging for all individual people. Alcoholism, like drug overdose and suicide, are “deaths of despair.” Work with your community to be inclusive so more people feel the support and love that all humans need to survive.