...Alcoholism One of the major problems in society is alcoholism. The effects of this disease are very dangerous and serious. It can cause many problems in a person’s life without the person even knowing. I will discuss the physical, psychological, and emotional effects of alcoholism and what causes it to happen. The first effect of alcoholism are physical. These are the most important because these can cause your death. Alcoholism causes cancer in the stomach, kidneys, and liver. Besides, alcohol alters the digestion of nutrients that the body needs to stay healthy. Alcoholism also causes severe damage in the neurons, so it causes alterations in the body movements, loss of appetite, and depression. All these physical consequences could cause your death if you drink alcohol in mass quantities. Losing your life or poisoning it is not worth the joy of drinking. The second effect caused by alcoholism are psychological. At the beginning, alcohol makes you feel relaxed, but if you drink it in excess, it increases anxiety and causes depression. It also causes family and legal problems, violence, changes of behavior, suicide among others. Alcohol is very powerful and alters all your normal behaviors. Many people believe that they can handle their drinking and that it won’t affect them at all. For some this may be true, but for others it is a cover up for what can really happen. Since alcohol alters the perception of most people, they make decisions that could change the rest of...
Words: 449 - Pages: 2
...Alcoholism; A Biological and Psychological Look Inside PSY350 Prof. Marion Burke March 30, 2014 Abstract The following article is a detailed look at alcohol use disorders and alcoholism. The pages that follow give an inside look at the biological and neurological effects these disorders have on a person. There is also some explanation of treatments and some new research that is being worked on in order to help predict who may be at risk. Alcoholism; A Biological and Psychological Look Inside Alcoholism is a growing problem in today’s society. Every day there are more and more people who are having problems with controlling their drinking or who are admitted to hospitals because of extreme illness caused by alcoholism. There is approximately 15 % of male drinkers and 6% of female drinkers in the United States who will have an alcoholism problem (Sullivan, 2009). Each of these groups has family and friends who are affected by their alcoholism. The link between biology and psychology in relation to alcoholism is a vastly growing interest of study. Neurological research is being done to try and explain the connection and to help create effective treatments. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.;DSM–5; American Psychiatric Association, 2013) gives clinical descriptions of different types of alcohol related disorders. One such description is that of Alcohol use disorder. This is described in the DSM-5 (American Psychiatric Association...
Words: 3993 - Pages: 16
...self-medicating * Drug abuse which is a symptom of underlying psychological problems * Drug use is also a maladaptive psychological coping strategy * Drug abusers also need to resolve internal conflict, and when they do, drug use will be unnecessary. SOCIAL MODEL This involves * Drug use as a learned behavior * People using drugs because drug use is modeled by others * Peer pressure * Environmental effects leading to drug use MORAL MODEL * Addicts are usually weak and can overcome a compulsion to use with willpower * Drug abusers are anti-social and should be punished for that * Drug are generally evil BIO-PSYCHO-SOCIAL MODEL * All the above are true, to greater or lesser degrees * Each person’s drug use is a result of some aspects of some or all the other models * Treatment and recovery require addressing the body, mind, social, nutrition, employment, family issues, psychological issues. On a broad inference, addiction is generally concerned with alcoholism so therefore we shall talk extensively on alcoholism. ALCOHOLISM Alcoholism is a broad term for problems with alcohol, and is generally used to mean compulsive and uncontrolled...
Words: 3596 - Pages: 15
...it is also a growing problem in Americas teenagers. I will be discussing several point in this paper from various studies to what exactly alcoholism is and the different dangers of this disease. This is a very personal topic to me so I hope you enjoy my research paper. The first point being addressed is what exactly alcoholism is. According to The Reader’s Digest Great Encyclopedic Dictionary, alcoholism “is a diseased condition resulting from the excessive use or persistent use of alcoholic beverages.” Alcoholism has divided into two major forms--alcohol abuse and alcohol dependence (Goodwin 1998). Alcohol abuse is the excessive consumption of alcohol which has detrimental effects on the people and situations surrounding an individual; whereas, alcohol dependence is a physical attachment to the alcohol. Alcohol abuse leads to hazardous behavior, such as drunken driving and continued drinking despite negative consequences on family, work, or social functioning. Alcohol dependence involves withdrawal symptoms when alcohol is not used, and lack of control over drinking despite serious social and medical problems (Goodwin 1998). Various studies have been performed to show the relationship between alcoholism and genetics. New research on male twins show that genes play a critical role in the development of milder forms of alcoholism, such as, occasional abuse that can land the drinker in dangerous circumstances, particularly while driving (Goodwin 1998). The genetic similarity...
Words: 1594 - Pages: 7
...look for when trying to identify alcohol dependency. Alcoholism effects many relationships, and the lives of your loved ones directly and indirectly. Though everything seems good to the alcoholic many things are heavily effected. There are a variety of things that could cause alcoholism but also many underlying causes that the person does not consider. People seek a wide variety methods to get clean and rid their lives of alcohol. There are many signs and symptoms you can look for when determining alcohol dependence, widely known as alcoholism. Many alcoholics find drinking as a way to relax and are not relax or normal without having alcohol in their system. If someone is putting themselves in dangerous situations while drinking are far from responsible drinkers. Alcohol dependency often makes the persons life very unorganized and they become very unreliable and irresponsible at their work place. If you find that someone who is using alcohol to much and you see it effect their every day work life such as, continuing drinking knowing your loved ones and the ones closest to you do not want you drinking however, they continue drinking still; you should approach them and see if they are even aware of the actions they are taking. Many times then not the person does not realize alcohol plays as big of a role as they thing in their lives. Alcohol dependency has an affect on many things directly and indirectly. “ People with alcoholism nearly always deny the problem, leaving up to coworkers...
Words: 880 - Pages: 4
...What is Alcoholism? Alcoholism is a deadly disease that kills over 2,000,000 people a year. Chronic alcoholism is when a person has a consistent craving for alcohol. They basically feel like they need some form of alcohol in order to survive. When they do want to relax and have some type of beverage they have no control of how much they have. Most people will never know who actually has alcoholism because people who actually have alcoholism are really good at covering up their dependence on alcohol. Another name for alcoholism is alcohol dependence. Most people with alcoholism have these symptoms; craving, loss of control, physical dependence, and tolerance. Do Alcoholics have Addictive Personalities? Addictive personalities refer to a set of characteristics that make a person inclined to developing addictions. Today no one has discovered any certain type of addictive personalities that lead to alcoholism....
Words: 626 - Pages: 3
...Alcoholism: A Social Problem Alcoholism is widely viewed as a major social problem due to its diverse effects that not only impact on an individual drinker, but also on the society as a whole. This is particularly because the damaging effects of alcoholism are directly linked to many social evils which may affect individuals otherwise not related to the drinker. According to Wells and Graham (34), the society normally pays a heavy price for alcoholism in the form of traffic accidents, family or domestic problems, health issues and medical expenses and interpersonal violence. One of the major social consequences of alcoholism is its potential negative impacts on the family. Studies suggest that alcoholism is behind a significantly high percentage of the instances of domestic violence including physical or verbal abuse of spouses or children, and is responsible for the break up of many marriages. For example, intoxicated events can have lasting consequences in the family through domestic violence. In addition, money spent on buying alcohol particularly by heavy drinkers may divert scant economic resources that could have otherwise been used for the benefit of the family. It is also worth noting that children living in the family with an alcoholic normally have higher rates of depression, lower grades and frequently feel socially isolated. Another important damaging effect of alcoholism to the society is related to its link with higher rates of violent crime and conflicts in...
Words: 421 - Pages: 2
...Alcoholism and Genetics Alcoholism has an affect everyone one way or another. It is a complex disease that not only affects the alcoholic but it also affects their families and loved ones. Alcoholism is considered an addition, which can be contributed to a range of genetic, social, and environmental influences. Historically, alcoholism was blamed on one’s character; it was seen as a flaw and/or weakness (Perry). “Alcoholism affected approximately 4.65 percent of the U.S. population in 2001–2002, producing severe economic, social, and medical ramifications” (Sloan, Sayarath and Moore). As many know, genetics plays a strong role in the component of alcoholism. As more genes are linked to the development of an alcohol addition, the finding will be proven useful in developing the necessary tools to better identify those who are at risk (Perry). For the last 25 years, a variety of human studies have supported the “theory of a genetic component in the susceptibility to alcoholism” (Begleiter). Researchers now estimated that between 50 and 60 percent of alcoholism risk is determined by genetics (Sloan, Sayarath and Moore). “It has sparked numerous linkage and association studies to include, investigating the roles of chromosomal regions and genetic variants in determining alcoholism susceptibility” (Sloan, Sayarath and Moore). There have been multiple studies to identify the gene that could potentially lead to a higher risk for alcoholism. For example, family studies...
Words: 787 - Pages: 4
...Socioeconomic Effects of Alcoholism Philip Malavenda Socioeconomic Effects of Alcoholism There are no shortage of well documented physical and mental related studies and research done on alcoholism. The physical and mental effects, both short and long-term, can render someone with debilitating health issues ending in death. While there has been significant research and investment into identifying symptoms and factors of alcoholism, it is equally important to understand how the dynamics of socioeconomics impacts the awareness and education of alcoholism prevention. Introduction According to the National Council on Alcoholism, “Alcohol is the most commonly used addictive substance in the United States- 17.6 million people, or one in every 12 adults, suffer from alcohol abuse or dependence along with several million more who engage in risky, binge drinking patterns that could lead to alcohol problems” (NCADD, 2013). Alcoholism has been defined by Merriam Webster Dictionary as “continued excessive or compulsive use of alcoholic drinks”. More than half of all adults have a family history of alcoholism or problem drinking, and more than 7 million children live in a household where at least one parent is dependent on or has abused alcohol. There is growing sediment that alcoholism is hereditary. Studies, including the one done by George Washington University Assistant Professor of Statistics, Taityana Apanasovich, notes that “40 to 60% of alcohol dependence is believed...
Words: 2323 - Pages: 10
...March 2013 Alcoholics Anonymous the Truth about Alcoholism Alcoholism is the addiction to consuming alcoholic drinks. Just like any other addiction it is fostered by the regular consumption of alcohol. It is not wrong to have an occasional drink in a social event or to have a little wine with dinner but when it reaches to the point where the individual cannot go a day without alcohol in his system then there is a problem. Alcohol is a drug like any other but it’s the most popular and accepted drug in the entire world. It is legal to citizens above eighteen years to drink alcohol and it is very accessible to even teenagers. Consumption of alcohol is not a new thing, it has been there for centuries and many new brands are being produced every year. However, those many years ago, our fore fathers knew the restrictions when it came to taking alcohol. They did not over do it and they consumed alcohol mainly during social events hence they did not become addicted to it. In our society today, any time is a good time to take alcohol. Teenagers, young adults, adults and even old people are all taking alcohol at an alarming rate. They are doing it oblivious to the fact that they can become addicted. Why are there so many alcoholics in the world today? How does it affect them and the people around them? What can be done to cure our society out of this vice? We answer all these questions today. Stress and depression leads to alcoholism. “Alcohol does not answer the question but it helps...
Words: 1287 - Pages: 6
...ALCOHOLISM IN AMERICAN FAMILIES Introduction America is becoming a nation of alcoholics. Harford (2006) assert that in the contemporary American society alcoholism affect 1 in every 3 people. With the increasing pressure of life, many people have turned to alcohol to relieve their daily stress leading to uncontrolled alcoholism in the society. As the basic unit of the society the family has been affected in the same way increased breakdown of families and neglect of children by alcoholic parents. Alcoholism has run deep in American families and children have been affected in a particular way. This paper will research on alcoholism and the effects it has on the life of the family. It will first define alcoholism and then look at how alcoholism runs in American families. Later it will look at children of alcoholics. What is alcoholism? According to Harford (2006) Alcoholism can be defined as drinking of alcohol to an extent that it interference with individual physical and mental health and their ability to perform their duties and responsibility and to live with the rest to the society and family members. Alcoholism is a disease condition which result from excessive consumption of alcoholic beverage. According to Silverstein (1990) there are three distinct features which are used to diagnose the condition according to American Psychiatrist Association. The three criteria include: i) Physiological problem including hand tremors or blackouts ii) Psychological problem...
Words: 2775 - Pages: 12
...Alcoholism Emma Lattany NU250 Mental Health Instructor: Lori Barnes RN, BSN, LNC Alcoholism, is a destructive pattern of alcohol use that includes tolerance to or withdrawal from the substance (Dryden-Edwards, 2012). It is also known as alcohol dependence or alcohol addiction. Using alcohol longer than planned or having difficulty reducing its usage is a part of alcoholism. Alcoholism is not a chosen pattern of behavior but it is considered to be a disease. Those with alcoholism show signs of physical addiction to alcohol, but still continue drinking despite problems with physical and mental health. It also causes them problems with their social and family life as well as job responsibilities. Alcoholism may also take control over and alcoholic’s life and relationships. Some of the medical complications of alcoholism are: pancreatitis, cardiomyopathy, alcohol-related cirrhosis, and gastrointestinal bleeding. The use of alcohol on a daily basis has also been associated with many different types of cancers (Thompson, 2012). Alcohol use during pregnancy could lead to fetal alcohol syndrome which is a leading cause of mental retardation. Alcoholism is also linked to dementia, depression, suicide, accidents and homicide (Thompson, 2012). Alcoholism is the third most common mental illness and in the United States, more that 14 million people are affected by it (Dryden-Edwards, 2012). Alcoholism has a pattern of afflicting about 10% of men and 4% of women and costs...
Words: 1344 - Pages: 6
...book. Alcoholism According to an online article I found titled “Alcoholism signs - here are ten warning signs of alcoholism you should know” It states that consuming one or two drinks per day for healthy men and one drink a day for healthy non-pregnant women is “generally considered acceptable consumption without health risks.” However, as in the case of my family, as the amount of drinking per day or per week increases, alcoholism can develop as a result. The article goes on to say that as many as 12-14 million adults are chronic heavy drinkers who abuse alcohol or are alcoholics, my Uncle Harold comes to mind. He became an alcoholic early on in life, he was a binge drinker in high school and early twenties then due to stress on the job as he put it became a full fledged alcoholic. He always denied he had a problem because he never missed a day of work or any other obligation, and would angrily defend himself. But, denial and alcoholism are like two peas in a pod. He continued to drink and his health became progressively worse over the years. He lost his appetite and has a poor eating habits due to all the years of hard drinking. Now at the age of 86, he can hardly hold anything in his hands or can only fill a glass half full because of the uncontrollable shakes he has from the damage alcohol has done to his nervous system. So what is “alcoholism?” Health.google.com defines it as “drinking alcoholic beverages at...
Words: 1646 - Pages: 7
...Erika Manyak August 18, 2012 SOCI-1001-A723-2012SU3 Rose Hayes Alcoholism in Society Define the Problem Alcoholism, as defined by Merriam Webster dictionary, is “a chronic disorder marked by excessive and usually compulsive drinking of alcohol leading to psychological and physical dependence or addiction” (2012). Many people in today’s society have drinking problems, ranging from sporadic alcohol abuse to total alcohol dependence. Approximately one in every 13 adults either abuse alcohol or are alcoholics (Alcohol Abuse and Dependence, n.d.). More than likely a person who abuses alcohol will eventually become alcohol dependent. It not only affects the individual, but family and friends as well. Alcohol, although legal, is a drug. It is societies most commonly used drug and is considered our number one drug problem (Understanding Alcohol and Alcoholism, n.d.). It is directly related too much of the crime we see today. As with other drugs, there are people who have an alcohol dependency but are afraid to acknowledge their problem and get help. Identify the Causes According to the Mayo Clinic staff (n.d.) “Alcoholism is influenced by genetic, psychological, social and environmental factors that have an impact on how it affects your body and behavior.” Young and old are affected equally. Alcohol does not discriminate. The decision to drink is a choice that one makes. There are many different reasons a person will choose to drink. Many people turn to drinking...
Words: 1726 - Pages: 7
... Vendors, clerks, stores and even parents should be educated on what danger alcohol can do to one’s body. We, the Marshallese people, can stop this cycle if we just stop, look and listen to our surroundings and not be in denial that alcohol has crept and destroyed our lives. We should face it and shouldn’t be afraid to fight alcoholism. Introduction: We may not be aware of the dangers alcohol can do to our bodies. I believe, us, the Marshallese people are blinded by the effects it has on us, simply because we weren’t educated about it and because mostly everyone drinks. As I was doing my research and my observations on the young Marshallese people under the influence of alcohol, I realized, I too, didn’t know anything about alcohol, except that I didn’t want to try it because I’ve seen how stupid people can get. I didn’t know, it can affect your health, as well. Alcohol has been and will always be a part of the lives of many Marshallese people. We cannot change that, but we can educate the young Marshallese citizens, so they have a better understanding on what alcohol does to our mind and body. Body What does Alcoholism mean?: Alcoholism, also known as "alcohol dependence," is a disease that includes alcohol craving and...
Words: 1961 - Pages: 8
