Prohibition, a massively failed exercise to curb drinking in the United States by making it illegal, started in part because people simply thought there was too much alcohol consumption in the United States. There was no real way to dictate how much people could drink, so the solution was to make it entirely illegal. This failed in numerous ways, not the least of which was that the illegal alcohol trade flourished, and it was soon repealed.
Back then, it is estimated that the average person consumed about 2 gallons of alcohol every year. Since there was a large enough portion of the population that didn’t drink to vote Prohibition in, that naturally means that those who did drink consumed more than 2 gallons each. That’s still true today, and any average is bound to be lower than consumption for those who do partake.
How drinking has increased in America
That said, some studies now claim that Americans are up to an average of 2.3 gallons of alcohol every year. That’s more than it was when Prohibition began, though less than the high point of 7 gallons in the early 1800s.
It’s important to note that this is counting alcohol itself, not liquid. For example, a standard beer is around 5% alcohol and 95% water, malt, etc. To drink 2 gallons of alcohol, a person would have to drink 40 gallons of beer.
The impact of all that drinking
In the modern era, one impact this increased drinking has had is an increase in DWI charges. A drunk driving conviction can have a significant impact on your future. If you’re facing charges, make sure you have some experienced guidance throughout the criminal process.