Alcohol Quote by William S. Burroughs
“Our national drug is alcohol. We tend to regard the use any other drug with special horror.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: Naked Lunch, 1959
Society normalizes alcohol while demonizing other substances, revealing double standards in drug perception.
In simple terms: Alcohol is accepted, other drugs are feared.
Key Takeaway
Question assumptions about drug stigma.
Themes
culture
double standards
substance use
Mood
critical
reflective
Type
analytical
commentary
When to use this quote
- public policy
- health education
- personal choices
- media framing
Key Concepts
social norms
cognitive bias
Questions to Reflect On
- How does cultural acceptance shape drug policy?
- What factors make alcohol seem less harmful?
A Different Perspective
Normalization of one drug can mask broader harms.
![“[As in the case of] alcohol prohibition, illegality has driven organized crime, sent countless people to jail, and killed many thousands. Repression does not work.” quote by Sam Branson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/212/sam-branson-36458_alcohol_as-in-the-case-of-alcohol-prohibition-il_8703.jpg)
