Intoxicants

It is no secret to anyone, American or otherwise, that America has a sort of binge drinking, partying, drug-taking culture. This facet of American permeates so deeply into American life that one's 21st birthday is essentially the biggest and most celebrated birthday of their entire life. It floods our televisions, internet, media, pop culture, etc. Over the course of time, however, some intoxicants have become more acceptable and prevalent, while others have more or less become taboo. Tobacco is more than a solid example of such an intoxicant. Once permitted almost everywhere, smoking is now banned in most establishments all across the country. In fact, smoking has become so taboo that cigarette companies (often the same companies that make smokeless tobacco) are barely even allowed to advertise anymore. With smoking rates on the decline, the act of smoking itself is becoming quite the taboo among younger and older generations alike. This, of course, reflects the dangers of tobacco as more and more evidence emerges of its nasty side effects.  All in all, the decline of smoking and the ever increasing tax on tobacco reflects an America where being healthy (at least to some degree) has become the norm
Now, tobacco is only one example. Alcohol, on the other hand, is still quite prevalent. Reality tv shows such as the Jersey Shore and Buckwild regularly portray alcohol. It's not just that they portray cast members drinking, it's that they show these people drinking to the point of drunkenness in party-like environments. Now, of course, this seems like an obvious sign that Americans just like getting drunk. However, alcohol is prevalent in other areas of American life as well. One of these areas is America's new favorite pastime, football. It absolutely impossible to watch a game and not see at least one advertisement for beer. In fact, many sporting teams are even sponsored by beer companies. Drinking can be found at sporting events themselves, as well as in the parking lot during tailgates. This, at least to me, suggests that America has a big need for relaxation and a way to escape the busyness of everyday life. Alcohol is found in sitcoms too. The show Cheers was set in everyone's favorite neighborhood bar. The movie the Hangover was based around an alcohol-induced blackout. Again, to me, this suggests the need for American's to escape everyday life and just simply relax a little.
Marijuana might be the most interesting intoxicant. Popularized by the hippie movement, marijuana is something that has long been taboo, but made it's way into pop culture regardless. "Stoner movies" such as Cheech and Chong are a good example of this. However, since then, marijuana has seen a rise in acceptance in use and popularity. So much so that individual states have either made it permissible for medical use and/or decriminalized the possession of small amounts. Even more recently two states, Colorado and Washington, have flat out legalized marijuana for all uses. In recent years, marijuana has become more and more prevalent in pop culture. The tv show That 70's Show and the Harold and Kumar movie series speaks to this. Sitcoms such as Mike and Molly and Workaholics portray its use frequently. Again, this display of marijuana in pop culture further reflects the fact that American's want to relax. The fact that the laws have been changing, much like many Americans banding together to make tobacco a taboo, suggests something else. It suggests that Americans actively seek to right what they deem wrong.