After a busy week of classes, lectures and seminars college students in America like to loosen up and forget their studies. They often have a favorite neighborhood pub near their campus where they can meet old friends, make new ones and socialize with those they see every day. There is a custom in America of making it an all-night affair. These students may spend the whole night just going from one bar to another drinking with their classmates and passing the night away. This custom is called barhopping and is popular with college students and young people in their early twenties. With the stamina to survive a night of drinking they may visit as many as three or four bars in one night having a few drinks at each, spending an hour or so in each place before moving on to the next "watering hole."

Fortunately it is not done every night or at every chance to celebrate. Older people may not have the stamina to endure a whole night of drinking, nor the free time that it requires. It is usually reserved for special weekends for to celebrations at the end of the term exams.

One would gather from the above that America is a nation of heavy drinkers and closet alcoholics. Yet, there are many Americans who never touch a drink either for reasons of religion or health. They may even detest the smell of beer and the taste of liquor and may refuse to serve it even to guests who visit in their home.

In the nation's history there was even a period known as the Prohibition. This was a time when liquor laws prevented the manufacturing and distribution of alcoholic beverages. The temperance movement gained impetus in World War I when conservation policies limited liquor output. In 1919 the 18th amendment to the Constitution established prohibition. At that time back in the 1930's the manufacturing and selling of alcohol was strictly forbidden by law. What alcohol was produced was done so illegally and was in the hands of organized crime. It was difficult to enforce and in 1933 prohibition was repealed by the 21st amendment. Although the law had been repealed the attitude of those who endorsed it has not. Today there are many federal laws regulating the advertisement of alcohol. Even TV commercials advertising beer and wine are prevented from being shown on TV for fear of the negative impact they might have on children.

It is also recommended that at a party a host should refuse to offer alcohol to anyone who has a heavy drinking problem, and there are states where the sales of alcoholic beverages is carefully regulated by local governments. In many states liquor stores are required to be closed on Sunday which is considered the Lord's Day.
For still others the rejection of alcohol may be a matter of religion. Some religious groups like the Mormons and the Jehovah Witnesses actually forbid the members of their congregation to drink. At their Sunday services the Mormons, for example, use grape juice instead of wine for their communion fellowship.