Preview

Alcohol Abuse Essay Example 24

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
489 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Alcohol Abuse Essay Example 24
Alcohol Abuse

Introduction

Alcohol abuse is a major social problem in our country. Alcohol abuse is defined as any condition which results in continued consumption of alcoholic beverages despite health problems and negative social consequences of it's use. Alcoholism is considered by many to be a disease which needs medical treatment.

Major Discussion

It is estimated by the World Health Organization that 140 million people throughout the world suffer from alcohol dependence. The primary effect of alcoholism is to encourage the drinker to drink at times and in amounts that are damaging to their bodies and to society as a whole. The physical effects of alcohol abuse include cirrhosis of the liver, pancreatitis, epilepsy, polyneuropathy, alcoholic dementia, heart disease, increased chance of cancer, nutritional deficiencies, sexual dysfunction, and death (Anonymous, 2007). These adverse physical consequences of alcohol abuse do not only harm the user, but those around him/her. These illnesses can result in loss of jobs because the user is unable to work. This would put a financial strain on themselves and their families which could result in homelessness (Anonymouse, 2007). Even if the abuser does not develop these problems they could still face financial reprucussions. Abusing alcohol at work will also result in unemployment and financial hardship. Alcoholics also often suffer from behavioral changes which can result in problems with their social relationships including with friends, spouses, and children (Anonymous, 2007). These problems with social interactions within the family can often times results in divorce and domestic violence. This often results in single parent homes, which places a large financial burden on the parent that is left with the children. The most visible social consequence of alcohol abuse is drunk driving. It is illegal in the United States to operate a motor vehicle if your blood alcohol content (BAC)

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Satisfactory Essays

    It’s no secret alcohol consumption can cause major health problems, including cirrhosis of the liver and injuries sustained in automobile accidents. The world health organization estimates that more than two million people each year die from the effects of drinking, either through illness, overdoses or accidents. So that each person who drinks or thinking about drinking can make informed choices.…

    • 288 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Better Essays

    The definition of alcoholism can be described as a chronic illness, which is marked by uncontrolled consumption of alcoholic beverages that interferes with physical or mental health, and social, family or occupational responsibilities (Medical Dictionary, Thesaurus and Encyclopedia.. n.d.)This dependence on alcohol has only been diagnosed as a medical disorder recently in the medical field. Like many other diseases, it has a predictable course, but whether it’s influenced environmentally or genetically is still up for debate. The disease can also be called progressive and fatal which means that the disease can persist over a long period of time, bodily changes progress as the drinking continues and can cause premature death through overdose, suicide, motor vehicle crashes and complications of the brain, liver, heart, and other organs. Alcoholism can be detected by four basic symptom’s, they are, tolerance which is the increasing need to drink excessive amounts to feel its affects, also impaired control which is the problem of not being able to stop oneself from drinking at any given time. Craving is another symptom characterized by a strong compulsion to drink, and lastly is physical dependence which shows withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety, sweating, nausea or shakiness (Nature vs. Nurture: A Continuing Debate |…

    • 1189 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    * Many consequences of binge drinking include the number of violent attacks in the street, the number of deaths on our roads due to drink driving, the number of teenage girls falling pregnant from drunken one night stands, and violent abuse at home.…

    • 477 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    One of the leading reasons is that alcohol addiction and abuse leads to unemployment and separation from the family. Alcohol abuse also leads to or exacerbates underlying thoughts of depression as well as lowering inhibitions against impulsive action and impairs judgement.…

    • 737 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Alcohol is a drug found in beer, wine, and liquor that causes intoxication. Alcohol can impair a person’s physical and emotional state. Intoxication is the physical and mental changes produced by drinking alcohol (Friedman, Stine, and Whaten 2242). Some people believe that beer and wine are safer than liquor which leads them to believe that it is okay to drink. The truth is that one 12 ounce bottle of beer or a 5 ounce glass of wine is equal to the amount of alcohol in a 1.5 ounce shot or liquor and can cause the same effects (“Facts About Alcohol”). Short term effects of alcohol include nausea, vomiting, dehydration, coma, death, blackout, memory loss, poor vision, reduced reaction time, and loss of judgement along with self control (Friedman,…

    • 941 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Best Essays

    Parental alcoholism is a form of child mistreatment, many children who grow up in home with an alcoholic parent or parents become alcoholics later in later. Growing up in an alcoholic home promotes unhealthy family relations that negatively affect a children’s’ development that leave children at risk for psychological disorders in childhood, adolescence, and well into their adulthood. Children with alcoholic parents usually do not have a secure attachment with the alcoholic parent or parents and often grow up to have problems with attachments to others well into adulthood. Children of alcoholics are also more likely to experience social, emotional, and behavioral difficulties…

    • 3618 Words
    • 15 Pages
    Best Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    When one thinks of alcoholism, we initially think of the alcoholic. We think of the tragic consequences of alcohol abuse on the abuser, his community, and society. What isn’t always apparent, however, is how alcoholism affects the entire family. In this paper I will illustrate how families in alcoholic homes are sick and need recovery as well. It’s easy to blame our problems on the alcoholic, unfortunately, growing up with an alcoholic forces the family to change in order to accommodate the chaos caused by the drinker.…

    • 1648 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    raising the drinking age

    • 1256 Words
    • 4 Pages

    The health effects: the health effects on the human body can harm physically and mentally for example the nervous system; this interferes with the different nerve impulses in the brain and nervous system. Alcohol abuse can result in psychological problems, rapid pulse, trembling, anxiety, and the loss of intellectual ability. Diabetes is also common too as to much alcohol can cause chronic inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis), which can impair its ability to secrete insulin, ultimately leading to diabetes. If you already have diabetes, alcohol is even more dangerous because if…

    • 1256 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    If someone drinks heavily over a long period of time, they can become physically and psychologically dependent upon alcohol. Their body gets used to functioning with alcohol present and drinking can become more important than other activities in their life. Over time, alcohol can damage parts of the body, including the brain and liver. There are also the risks of developing emotional problems, such as depression, and problems at school, work and with relationships.…

    • 410 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    Millions of peoples are affected each day by alcohol. People do not realize it, but alcohol is a drug. The effects of alcohol on the body can range from mild effects such a small sicknesses, to extreme effects such as alcohol abuse. Drinking alcohol can lead to unhealthy and be destructive to the body. Since alcohol is a depressant, a small amount of it affects the human being psychologically. But in large doses alcohol can lead to alcohol poising, intoxication, alcoholism, coma and even can lead to death. Alcohol has a biphasic effect on the body, which means that the effects change overtime. At first, alcohol produces feelings of relaxation and happiness. But eventually, it can lead to dehydration, coordination problems, blurred vision, and other health and social issues.…

    • 1549 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    Writing Assignment one

    • 859 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Alcohol is a powerful drug. It acts on the body primarily as a depressant and slows down the brain’s activities. If you continue to abuse alcohol it can lead to alcohol dependence. Alcohol dependence is also called alcoholism. You are physically or mentally addicted to alcohol. You have a strong need, or a craving, to drink. Long term heavy drinking harms your liver, nervous system, heart, and brain. It can cause health problems or make them worse. These problems include: cirrhosis or pancreatitis, high blood pressure, osteoporosis, certain types of cancer, including breast cancer, stroke, Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome. Alcohol abuse also can contribute to stomach problems, interactions between medicines, alcohol, and sexual problems. It can lead to violence, accidents, social isolation, and problems at work, school, or home. Drinking also makes symptoms of mental health problems worse. When you have a drinking problem and a mental health problem, it is called a dual diagnosis. It is very important to treat all mental health problems, such as depression.…

    • 859 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Almost 100,000 people die annually from alcohol abuse. It affects the body in many ways. It can lead to heart, liver, or pancreas damage. There are many symptoms from suffering with alcohol abuse. A few of them are impulsivity, antisocial behavior, anxiety and/or loneliness. Alcohol abuse could lead to alcohol poisoning and drunk driving. Alcohol abuse affects many people in a negative…

    • 63 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    The term “alcoholism” describes a drinker who is mentally and physically dependent on alcohol, and who would most likely have withdrawal symptoms upon trying to quit. This dependence prevents most alcoholics from being able to control when they drink and how much they drink. For that reason, alcoholics usually drink to excess despite the consequences. Alcoholism, like any addiction, is a chronic disorder which involves continued use despite negative consequences and requires ongoing treatment and management. This research paper will cover many aspects of alcoholism including the causes and effects of drinking and different treatment approaches.…

    • 2743 Words
    • 11 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Alcohol Essay 10

    • 2579 Words
    • 11 Pages

    Alcohol is a drug that is classified as a central nervous system depressant. There are three forms of alcohol, beer, wine and distilled spirits. Alcohol is one of the most commonly used drugs in the United States and has more adverse effects that most other drugs combined. There are many aspects to consider when thinking about alcohol as a drug. There are many myths surrounding alcohol, including who uses it, what its effects are on users, social and sexual situations and the amounts people drink. The vast majority of the American population uses alcohol and in many various ways and this also causes different effects. Alcohol is also has a great causation in crimes committed by users, social, medical, and educational problems as a result of use as well. There are various levels of use including, moderate and binge drinking, which all show different effects as a result of the amount used. The demographics of users play a significant role in the effects that are caused. The lives of users are quite different from those of non-users, including the crimes that are committed by users. There are also other effects that are not derived directly from alcohol use, including negative effects on motivation and mood swings. When you use alcohol you increase your chances of seeing negative consequences from the use, significantly more than non-users have of seeing these consequences. We also learn myths that are created by the media and extreme drug abstainers. Perhaps the most important thing we must learn when researching alcohol and its effects are the real life experiences that we go through as a result of this drug. It is important that we learn all the dimensions of the reality of this drug before we pass judgment on it.…

    • 2579 Words
    • 11 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    Some of the harmful effects attributed to excessive alcohol use include being the direct cause of about 4 percent of all deaths worldwide - more deaths than those caused by HIV-AIDS and tuberculosis and, globally, 6.2 percent of deaths of young men, compared to 1.1 percent of female deaths.…

    • 527 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays