Alcohol and Drinking - Alcoholism :: Exploratory Essays Research Papers

Alcohol and potomania When people perceive the word drug, they usu each(prenominal)y think of an illegal substance such as cocaine, heroin, marijuana, or any other drug that can be effect on the street. Most people never consider the fact that down alcohol can be just as harmful as illegal drugs, not only on the body, but on the promontory and spirit as well (1). If constantly abused, alcohol can be even worse for one than taking illegal drugs (5) Irresponsible intoxication can destroy a persons life as well as the lives of those around them. When people become both physically and psychologically given up to alcohol, they become an alcoholic and suffer from a disease called alcoholism. One extension of this term is a diseased condition of the system, brought about by the keep use of alcoholic liquors (Websters Dictionary, 37). Another definition of this term, given to me by my incline professor, Janet Gould who is in fact, a recovering alcoholic, is that alcoholism is a me ntal dependency and a physical allergy (3). Alcoholism somehow affects us all through a p arent, sibling, friend, or even personal encounters with a stranger. In fact alcoholics whitethorn become angry and argumentative, quiet and withdrawn, or depressed. They may also feel more(prenominal) anxious, sad, tense, and confused. They then seek relief by drinking more (Gitlow 175). Alcohol and Alcoholism is a big single out in our society, which should be recognized and dealt with. In addition about 7% of all adults who consume alcohol in the United States today are considered alcoholics, or have suffered from some sort of drinking problem in their lives (Secretary of health viii). Although there is no indication of how the alcoholism of families members is linked ... through genetics, studies prove that about 50 to 80 percent of all alcoholics have had a close relative that was an alcoholic (Caplan 266). Many times alcoholism starts during a persons high school and college years h owever some teenagers and young adults oft abuse alcohol and never think about the physical, mental, and emotional gong that alcohol can have on a persons life (3). Alcoholism usually begins with social drinking then a person forget find excuses to drink more often (Burgess 13). When alcohol is made more readily available to an individual, such as in a college environment, it increases the put on the line that person will drink excessively (Ewing 173) (5).