FREE ESSAY ON ALCOHOLISM

ALCOHOLISM

Alcoholism is perhaps the most common form of drug abuse in North America today. In 1995,
in the United States 67% of all the population over the age of 12 reported drinking
alcohol with in the previous year. Even more astounding, is the fact that nearly 50%
reported drinking some type of alcoholic beverage with in the past month. Scientists
report that the reason alcohol is so popular to drinkers is because it is pleasant,
relaxing, and is considered a social beverage. But what the drinkers often do not take in
to onsideration are the facts that alcohol dulls the brain and confuses physical
reactions. Which leads to numerous injuries, accidents, and death. Roughly 1.3 million
people are arrested for driving drunk each year. As a result of the drunk drivers, 25,000
deaths occur each year. More 16 to 24 year olds are killed as a result of drunk driving
or are involved in accidents where someone is driving drunk than any other age group in
the nation. 
Alcohol affects every part of an alcoholic's life: their body, their mind and their
family life. The body has a natural chemical that gives a feeling of a natural high. It
happens in the presence of a life-endangering situation. This chemical is adrenaline,
which is meant to prepare the body for defense in the case of an emergency. Alcohol
tricks the body into giving off the chemical and in turn, get the natural high feeling.
The problem alcohol has though is that when it goes to the brain, it blocks the synapses
in the brain, that portion of the brain cannot perform its usual tasks; such as speaking,
walking, seeing, etc. After the body has consumed a certain amount of alcohol, it can't
rely on the logical (upper brain) to operate itself. Instead it depends on the lower
brain, due to this the person will not know what they are doing or saying. Since the body
is in the high state for so long, instead of just for a few minutes, it becomes addicted
and depends on the alcohol for normal function. Alcohol has a tremendous affect on the
body. In small doses, alcohol has a tendency to provide warmth, confront and relaxation.
But when the drinker is unable to control the amount he or she has, they become more
outgoing, self confident, and uninhibited.
Alcohol mostly affects the liver. Normally, the liver processes fat and converts them
into calories, but it also can process alcohol. Upon exiting the liver, the alcohol is
distributed through out other organs including the lungs, brain and kidneys. After
alcohol reaches the brain, it numbs the frontal lobe which has direct control over
judgement, visual perception and decision making skills. Scientist believe this is what
makes alcoholics believe they can conquer any task put before them. After drinking a good
number of drinks everyday over a long period of time, many things can happen. Cirrhosis
of the liver can occur, which means the liver tissues become hardened. Scientists also
report that irreversible brain damage can occur before cirrhosis of the liver is even
detected. Also, cancer of the liver, mouth, esophagus, and lungs as well as intestinal
and pancreatic cancer often occur as a result of alcoholism. 
Alcohol also has an affect on the mind as well as the body. Alcoholics often report that
they feel inferior to people and believe they can do anything. One study done reports
than when people drink by themselves, they reported changes in their physical as well as
mental state such as dizziness and unclear thinking. But when they are put in a group or
social situation and encouraged to drink, the participants reported changes in mood and
interpersonal behavior, like being less unhappy and more friendly. All of the
participants achieved the same BAC (Blood Alcohol Content) and were relatively the same
size in build and structure. Many people believe that alcohol acts as a social lubricant.
Increased social pleasures, assertiveness talkativeness and even happiness are all
expected by many when they drink in these situations. 
Alcohol is said to reduce tension and anxiety. This in turn allows drinkers to feel more
relaxed and comfortable in social situations. However, this also encourages the drinker
to drink more when under more stress. Alcohol also affects the mind in other ways too,
not just socially. Alcohol also makes people more aggressive. Studies show that in all
the assaults, rapes, and murders 30 to 60% of these cases involved alcohol. Many
scientists believe that alcohol triggers violence. Others have argued that human beings
have a natural aggressive drives or impulses that are usually restrained by guilt, fear,
or social behaviors and laws. 
Alcohol is believed to directly stimulate feelings of power and the need to dominate.
Alcohol also has a direct affect on sexual relations. William Shakespeare wrote that when
sex is concerned drinking provokes the desire, but takes away from the performance. Poet
Ogden Nash also was quoted as saying Candy is dandy, but liquor is quicker. Most people
think that consumption of alcohol will increase their sexual performance when in all
actuality it increases the desire, but takes away from the performance. In many studies
performed, they affect alcohol has on women and men are often different. It is often
found that women can control the sexual feelings more adequately than men can, which
gives reasons to why more women are raped and sexually assaulted than men. 
Alcohol has the most affect on the family. Many alcoholics do not believe this because
they think what they do has no affect on their family and friends. But often times the
amount of stress put on the spouse, children, parents, and friends of an alcohol can be
worse than what the alcoholic thinks. New research has begun to show, that if someone
parent or grandparent is an alcoholic they have a greater chance of becoming one also.
Children who have had alcoholic parents often act impulsively, lie, and seek approval and
attention from others. These children often have a hard time finding what is normal and
what is not because of the unpredictable environment they were raised in. Often times
alcoholic have a tendency to abuse their children and their spouse. Many times,
alcoholics come from an abusive home and they have a history of alcoholism in the family
already. In conclusion, alcohol affects every part of your life. It has irreversible
affects on the body, including the liver and the brain. Alcohol also has detrimental
affects on the mind, which leads to feeling inferior and unstoppable. Alcohol and
alcoholism also affects family as well. There are many treatment programs and support
groups that can help. However, most of the time the alcoholics refuse to admit they have
a problem with their drinking, so it goes untreated.