The commercial profit from drugs and alcohol is a practice that extends long before the existence of any national chain in the United States—bars, nightclubs and restaurants have all become common places to drink alcoholic beverages responsibly.

With comprehensive laws and regulatory compliances, most have come to detract blame from these businesses for encouraging alcoholism—after all, the motto is to “drink responsibly.” But what happens when alcohol starts becoming available at different venues—such as the ever-popular coffee chain Starbucks?

Recently, Starbucks announced a national strategy to introduce the sale of alcoholic beverages in many of its stores. A recent article from USA Today explains, “Starbucks once again finds itself at the leading edge of an industry trend on the grow. Not only are sales of alcoholic beverages lucrative, but they attract night-time customers, when business typically slows down. The risk is turning off customers who don’t want to be part of that environment. The chain has seen little blowback in its slow expansion of beer and wine sales, which will reach 40 locations by the end of this year.”

Although the strategy seems to offer a great opportunity for Starbucks to change its atmosphere and increase its consumer base, there has been little attention on how such a move could encourage addictive behaviors, such as alcoholism.

At Chapters Capistrano, our flexible treatment programs strive to help guests gain the resources, insight and confidence necessary to embrace sobriety and prevent relapse—especially when being in the presence of illicit substances, including alcohol. While there is certainly a degree of personal responsibility in preventing addiction and relapse, it is important to assess how plans like Starbucks’ could do more to encourage alcoholism rather than inhibit it.

Here are just a few reasons why this change is important to consider in terms of addiction prevention:

• Coffee Shops Provide a Place for Social Interaction Outside of Bars

Many individuals who become alcoholics do not plan on chasing this dangerous addiction; it is often a consequence of their circumstances, surroundings and mental health. Many people will fall into addictive patterns simply for participating in a nightlife scene that is rife with alcoholic beverages. Even if one wants to go out to a bar or club to have fun with friends and socialize, the business operates around drinks—with everyone else drinking around an individual, the temptation to give into cravings is high.

While many in addiction recovery will avoid establishments that encourage use of addictive substances, socialization is still a highly important part of life. As such, many turn to coffee shops—such as Starbucks—as a safe place to hang out with friends, catch up on conversation and enjoy a beverage that contains no alcohol.

If alcohol becomes present in these places for safer socialization, many recovering alcoholics may soon face temptations that they had not planned for.

• Coffee Shops Are Not Just For Adults

Although Starbucks notes that its plans to serve alcoholic beverages are scheduled for the evening hours, it is important to recognize that many youth enjoy spending time at coffee shops.

From children tagging along with parents to high school students relaxing after school, many young individuals may be exposed to this new alcoholic culture. While alcohol is present in many family-friendly venues—including restaurants and grocery stores—having these beverages in an environment centered around drinking can do harm to alcoholism prevention efforts. For instance, young consumers who are brought up in an environment where they drink coffee may find a more seamless transition into drinking wine or beer when it is much more accessible or promoted.

Addressing the Dangers of Alcoholism

While the widespread impact of introducing alcoholic beverages into Starbucks remains to be seen, it is important to continue to raise awareness about addiction risks—both among youth and adults. Recognizing these risks early on could help many consumers prevent substance use disorder patterns from forming.

Although it is necessary to discuss and raise awareness of all forms of addiction risks, especially in commercial and social settings, it is also critical to increase public understanding of how to respond to substance use disorder.

If you or a loved one is struggling with alcoholism or another form addiction, it is important to seek professional help immediately. Those who are searching for a comprehensive and flexible addiction recovery option are encouraged to learn more at ChaptersCapistrano.com or contact our trustworthy professionals at 1-888-334-7509.