Most African Americans can trace their roots to West Africa (Baker, 1988). In Africa, fermented grains and palm sap were used to make beer and wine. Drinking was not a prohibited practice, but it was regulated. Alcohol was strictly for ceremonial use and excessive consumption was not permitted (Umunna, 1967). For this reason, there were very few alcohol problems among African tribes. Traditions were, and still are, an important aspect of African culture. It is therefore not surprising that most people choose to adhere to the customs of their tribe and avoid recreational alcohol consumption. There are several different theories about alcohol consumption during the slavery era. One suggests that alcohol was used as a way to reward the slave after a hard day's work (Wright, Kail, & Creecy, 1990). After a day of working in all kinds of conditions, alcohol could have been seen as a way to escape the harsh reality that African slaves continually experienced. The elixir could help numb not only the body, but also the mind, from the physical and emotional pain to which they were subjected. Another proposed theory is that alcohol was used as a way to control slaves, especially on weekends and holidays, and prevent them from escaping (Joyner, 1991). Because alcohol is a depressant, it naturally slows down the central nervous system. The effects of this decreased activity include a lack of coordination and balance and blurred vision. Both of these skills would be very important for someone planning to flee the plantation, especially at night. Therefore, the distribution of alcohol was an effective way for slave masters to significantly reduce the chances of escape. Although there are many different opinions... middle of article...... The client must take the tools and techniques they have learned in therapy and apply them in order to successfully abstain from consume substances. Works Cited Behavioral Health and Black/African Americans. (2010). Retrieved March 27, 2014 from http://www.samhsa.gov/obhe/african-american.aspxBerlin, I. (2009). African immigration to colonial America. Retrieved March 24, 2014 from http://www.gilderlehrman.org/history-now/essays/african-immigration-colonial-americaO'Quinn, KD (2008). Cognitive-behavioral therapy with African American clients. Retrieved April 1, 2014 from http://www.pitt.edu/~kdost8/CBT.htmlStraussner, SLA (2001). Ethnocultural factors in drug treatment. New York, NY: The Guilford Press. Substance use among black adolescents. (October 4, 2011). Accessed March 27, 2014, from http://www.samhsa.gov/data/2k11/WEB_SR_004/WEB_SR_004.htm