BILLBOARD BURDEN –
August 24, 2025 – I decided to get sober in March, just a few months before my 21st birthday. But not because it was trendy or because I believed I was an alcoholic. I drove across the country twice and what stood out most – besides the diverse beauty of the states – was the number of billboards advertising alcohol. The boards became increasingly controversial and religious as I headed toward middle America (mostly promoting creationism and insisting abortion is murder). But the one consistency, from New York to San Francisco, was alcohol.
Alcohol is a depressant and carcinogen. But it’s also a social lubricant.
In college at UC Santa Cruz, I often find myself surrounded by new people. Grabbing a drink can help spark new connections, and it becomes an activity of its own when conversation falls silent.
During my drive from New York to Santa Cruz, I got to thinking about alcohol’s prevalence in society. Somehow, it lives in every crevice of our culture. Long day at work? Have a beer to ease your nerves. Going through a breakup? A bottle of wine will quell the misery. The New York Times last June published another article about the negative health effects of drinking, and with the 75 Hard challenge trending, I feel compelled to reconsider my alcohol consumption.
