Alcoholism Essay, Research Paper

Alcoholism is perhaps the most common form of drug abuse in 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. Scientist 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 consideration 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 anything 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. Scientist also

report that irreversible brain damage can 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 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. The 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.

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Books, LTD, 1984. 2. Halgin, Richard P., and Susan Krauss Whitbourne. Abnormal

Psychology. Madison, WI: Brown & Benchmark, 1997. 3. Lang, Alan R. Alcohol,

Teenage Drinking. New York: Chelsea House Publishers, 1985.