Chapter 6 – The Great Psychiatric Tavern
In general, men drink more than women. In recent years, however, these
longstanding differences appear to be narrowing – not only in amounts consumed
but also in alcohol-related harms.
80% of women ages 21-40 report drinking, and nearly 63% of women ages 21 to
34 report binge drinking.
In the past 15 years, the
percentage of women in the
US. who drink alcohol has
increased by nearly 22%, while
the percentage of adult men
who drink has remained about
the same.
In an analysis of four
million people between 1948
and 2014 across 68 international studies, "there was a clear and dramatic downturn
in the male-to-female ratio of alcohol use ." Males born between 1891 and 1910
were 2.2 times more likely than women to drink alcohol, while within the population
of people born between 1991 and 2000, that ratio fell to 1:1. Since alcohol abuse in
men has not significantly decreased over time, the change of ratio is likely due to
increased female consumption.
The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism defines Binge Drinking
as a pattern of drinking that brings blood alcohol concentration (BAC) levels to 0.08.
This typically occurs after 4 drinks for women and 5 drinks for men – in about 2
hours.
1
, However, The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
defines binge drinking as 5 or more alcoholic drinks for males or 4 or more alcoholic
drinks for females on the same occasion.
A Stage for Letting Go
Today, taverns of varied design and diverse clientele exist in most societies, cutting
across racial, ethnic, gender, social,
religious, and geographic lines.
In a quasi-controlled
environment (the bar), men and
women may sidestep standard social
norms; they are free to become more
aggressive or sexually disinhibited.
Although the atmosphere of
bars varies, the fundamental patterns
of human behavior remain the same.
Tavern Mental Health Center
The bar serves as a mental health
center where people can express a
sociability that would be
unacceptable in ordinary discourse
People can also discuss
everyday problems, forbidden
fantasies, and deep-seated
emotional conflicts. A Striking
parallel exists between the psychiatrist and the bartender. Each provides
psychological counsel and administers pharmacological remedies.
2
In general, men drink more than women. In recent years, however, these
longstanding differences appear to be narrowing – not only in amounts consumed
but also in alcohol-related harms.
80% of women ages 21-40 report drinking, and nearly 63% of women ages 21 to
34 report binge drinking.
In the past 15 years, the
percentage of women in the
US. who drink alcohol has
increased by nearly 22%, while
the percentage of adult men
who drink has remained about
the same.
In an analysis of four
million people between 1948
and 2014 across 68 international studies, "there was a clear and dramatic downturn
in the male-to-female ratio of alcohol use ." Males born between 1891 and 1910
were 2.2 times more likely than women to drink alcohol, while within the population
of people born between 1991 and 2000, that ratio fell to 1:1. Since alcohol abuse in
men has not significantly decreased over time, the change of ratio is likely due to
increased female consumption.
The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism defines Binge Drinking
as a pattern of drinking that brings blood alcohol concentration (BAC) levels to 0.08.
This typically occurs after 4 drinks for women and 5 drinks for men – in about 2
hours.
1
, However, The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
defines binge drinking as 5 or more alcoholic drinks for males or 4 or more alcoholic
drinks for females on the same occasion.
A Stage for Letting Go
Today, taverns of varied design and diverse clientele exist in most societies, cutting
across racial, ethnic, gender, social,
religious, and geographic lines.
In a quasi-controlled
environment (the bar), men and
women may sidestep standard social
norms; they are free to become more
aggressive or sexually disinhibited.
Although the atmosphere of
bars varies, the fundamental patterns
of human behavior remain the same.
Tavern Mental Health Center
The bar serves as a mental health
center where people can express a
sociability that would be
unacceptable in ordinary discourse
People can also discuss
everyday problems, forbidden
fantasies, and deep-seated
emotional conflicts. A Striking
parallel exists between the psychiatrist and the bartender. Each provides
psychological counsel and administers pharmacological remedies.
2
