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Makenna Stergion

Sheila Fielding

WRTC 103

11 February 2019

How Much Is Too Much Alcohol?

Over 85,000 people die from alcohol abuse each year. Although alcohol is often thought

of as a beverage for entertainment and pleasure, there is a currently a dangerous alcohol abuse

epidemic going on in America. In an article by Gabrielle Glaser, “America, Can We Talk About

Your Drinking?” published on December 29, 2017, Glaser informs her audience how detrimental

Binge drinking is to a person’s health. Drinking can cause even more harm to women and people

with anxiety. Although Glaser briefly appeals to the audience’s emotions, Glaser effectively

builds an argument stressing America’s issue alcohol abuse crisis through the use of extensive

research and credible experts.

Glaser’s article talks about how the way Americans drink today is abusive and in need of

control. A few of the main points Glaser uses to support her argument include how excessive

drinking starts in college, drinking is looked at as glamorous in the media, and people are not

getting the help they need. Glaser targets college students to warn them of problems they could

face in future. Glaser writes to adults to encourage them into seeking help or making a healthy

change in their life. The article is written in a scholarly way and through climactic organization.

Glaser sections her essay with only one main title and one sub section “Having More to Drink”.

The article as a whole relates to why alcohol abuse is so prevalent today. Afterwards the focus

then shifts to how a message of hope for Americans to improve their habits.
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Glaser appeals to ethos by addressing her own and select experts credibility in her article.

She affirms her reliability in her statement, “In researching my 2013 book on women and

drinking, and many articles on the topic since, I’ve spoken with hundreds of problem drinkers of

all races” (par. 4). Glaser guarantees her character with her research of a great amount of

alcoholics, even including publication in a book. Glaser not only shows her credibility to the

audience, but also different experts she has researched and talked to. Glaser writes, “Rick

Grucza, an epidemiologist who has been studying alcohol consumption patterns for more than a

decade, says the numbers are incontrovertible” (par. 3). This statement affirms the research and

quality of the article with a doctor’s words, while also affirming years of alcohol abuse numbers

rising. Once again Glaser brings ethos to her article with the quote, “Since the attacks on 9/11,

we’ve been in a state of perpetual war, and a lot of us are traumatized by that,” said Andrew

Tatarsky, a clinical psychologist who specializes in treating people with substance-use disorders”

(par. 5). Bringing in another educated specialists’ opinion into the article creates an appeal to the

audience where they can trust the source and information being given to them.

Along with appeals to credibility, Glaser uses logos to persuade her audience of her

argument regarding America’s alcohol misuse epidemic. Glaser references to to research,

statistics, and factual evidence to provide validation and reason for the audience. Glaser includes,

“A government survey finds women and older Americans are binge drinking at much greater

rates. In this study, binges are defined as five or more drinks on any one occasion for both men

and women” (statistic photo). This study creates a stronger foundation of evidence for the

argument which gives the audience a greater interest. The article includes more appeals to reason

with facts and verification. Glaser states, “In the DSM-V, the new term to describe problematic

drinking is alcohol-use disorder — a clunky but more expansive phrase that denotes a spectrum
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of risky drinking from mild to moderate to severe” (par. 11). The introduction of a new term uses

logic to appeal to the audience’s understanding of the topic of binge-drinking. Glaser includes

more valuable appeals to reason, “A great deal of research supports the use of anti-craving

medications, such as naltrexone, and harm-reduction therapy, which Sheila Vakharia, an

assistant professor of social work at Long Island University, says provides practical tools for

solving behavioral problems” (par. 12). This case study provides more background and

information to the reader.

Finally Glaser uses the third appeal pathos to call out to the readers’ emotions on alcohol

abuse. The language and Glaser’s opinion she included in the article appeals to the sympathy,

fear, and sadness. These emotions call out to the audience and give them a larger connection to

what Glaser is talking about. She states,“It’s a sad fact that many people learn to drink

excessively in college. I found that a lot of people lack physical symptoms of alcohol

dependence but they think they are overdoing it, and they are worried” (par. 4). This quote

creates sympathy and sorrow for these excessive drinkers health. This creates a connection

between the topic and the audience which hooks them into the argument. Glaser also includes,

“Many alcohol researchers and substance-use clinicians believe the steady increase in problem

drinking arises from a deeply felt sense of despair” (par. 5). This despair that drinking arises

from also appeals to the emotions. It is sad and scary that drinking increases with despair and

sadness. This can also appeal for the audience to make a change so this does not happen any

more. Another appeal to pathos is seen in the quote, “The news about our alcohol habits may

seem grim, but there’s room for hope” (par. 18). Once again, Glaser appeals to the audience’s

emotions. Now they have a connection to the topic of alcohol abuse so she is using their sorrow
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and heartache for the drinkers and turning it around in hope. She creates a happiness or love that

America will get better and not be so horrible anymore.

Overall Glaser is fairly effective in her argument by including lots of information and

research on how, when, and why Americans started binge drinking and how prevalent it is today.

By using ethos and logos, Glaser convinces the readers how horrible this epidemic is and the dire

need for change. Glaser can strengthen her argument by adding a more concise and organized

article that better supports logically her claims and information. This issue is prevalent today for

many reasons that need to be alleviated. Young adults do not know how to consume their alcohol

healthily and this is leading to several hospital visits, accidents, and deaths. Adults today also do

not admit they have an issue and are addicted to alcohol. This article adds to the conversation

about gender because it states that women are more susceptible to alcohol addiction/use than

men are. With careful and loving hearts Glaser builds a solid argument that although America’s

drinking seems in shambles now, we can and hopefully will make a change for the better.

Work Cited
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Glaser, Gabrielle. “America, Can We Talk About Your Drinking?” The New York Times, The

………….New York Times, 29 Dec. 2017,

………….www.nytimes.com/2017/12/29/opinion/sunday/alcohol-binge-drinking.html.