四级冲刺练习阅读（153）

　　Why Americans Are Drinking Less

　　Alcohol is Americas drink for all reasons. We drink because we are sad; to celebrate a success, or to console ourselves in defeat. Taken in moderation, alcohol raises our spirits and may even improve our health. Consumed in excess, it is a leading contributor to premature death, fatal accidents and suicide.

　　In 1983 alcohol provided $ 12. 2 billion in taxes, but cost the nation $ 89. 5 billion in lost employment and productivity, health care, property loss and crime, as well as immeasurable damage to the family lives of those involved.

　　As these costs have become clearer, Americans have started drinking less, a Readers Digest/Gallup Survey reveals, and a smaller proportion than at any time since 1969 report drinking at all. Of the 1516 adults 18 and older interviewed across the country, 65 percent drink beer, wine or hard liquor at least occasionally this is down from 71 percent in 1977. Twenty-nine percent say they have cut back on their consumption over the past five years, while only 11 percent say they drink more. In the 18-to-29 age group, however, 21 percent have increased consumption.

　　Of those who drink, 68 percent classify themselves as light drinkers, 26 percent say they drink moderately, and only one percent admit they are heavy drinkers. However, these self-assessments are based on a variety of interpretations. A Maryland man who viewed himself an average drinker was surprised when he read information indicating that he was an alcoholic; he thought drinking ten cans of beer at a sitting affected only his weight.

　　Surveys commissioned by the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services define heavy drinking the point over which harm is scientifi cally measurable as one ounce of absolute alcohol daily. This is the amount contained in slightly more than two 12-ounce cans of beer, two 6-ounce glasses of table wine , or two l1/2-ounce jiggers of hard liquor . Based on those figures, HHS surveys classify nine percent of adults as heavy drinkers, with men outnumbering women three or four to one.

　　Why do people drink? When queried in another Gallup poll, 54 percent said they did it for social reasons, 18 percent drank for relaxation, 16 percent because they enjoy it, while 10 percent drank only on special occasions. You cant go to a party with a certain circle of friends and not have any drinks, said a California housewife. Its mostly habit we get together, we drink. An Illinois executive drinks to unwind after work. With people screaming at you all day, you need a couple of whiskies to become civilized again.

　　Of those who drink for conviviality or relaxation, most feel they could give it up without ill effect. However, studies by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism indicate that 21 percent of even moderate drinkers become psychologically dependent on alcohol: they think they need it. Another 14 percent are symptomatic drinkers, meaning they are physically dependent and have difficulty in controlling their drinking, suffer blackouts, skip meals while drinking, sneak偷偷地拿) drinks, etc.