Alcoholism Essay, Research Paper

Alcoholism, is a illness involving the excessive use of alcoholic beverages, whether it’s a can of beer

or other sources such as vodka, and whiskey etc. It often affects a lot of people and their families. I

will discuss the symptoms of alcoholism. I will continue into the effects of alcoholism. Then conclude

with the treatment of the disease. It is a very serious disease.

Alcoholism has been often been thought of as a symptom of a psychological or social problem, or

as a learned, behavior to cope with the everyday problems peoples lives. More recently alcoholism has

become recognized disease of it’s own Alcoholism usually develops over a period of a few years. Early

symptoms include spending an excessive amount of limited income on alcohol. The availability of the

alcohol influences the person’s choice of friends and the things that they do. Alcohol becomes used as

more of a relaxer than as a casual beverage. At first, the alcoholic may have a high tolerance of

alcohol, drinking more and showing less effects than other drinkers. Alcohol begins to be more important

than the persons relationships, work, or even their health. The person progresses by losing control

over their drinking and are not able to control their habit. A physical addiction may come later to

avoid the effects of a hangover.

The effects on major organ systems include a wide range of digestive disorders such as ulcers,

inflammation of the pancreas, and cirrhosis of the liver. The nervous system can also be permanently

damaged. Blackouts, hallucinations, and extreme tremors may occur to the person as a direct result of

drinking alcohol. Studies have evidence that shows that heavy or even moderate drinking during pregnancy

can cause serious damage to the unborn child. This is known as fetal alcohol syndrome.

About 10 percent of all the adult drinkers in the U.S. are considered alcoholics or they have some sort

of drinking problem. The consumption of alcohol is currently rising in the U.S., and other countries like

the U.S.S.R. and some of the European countries. There is also an increase of alcohol-related problems in

other nations, including the Third World.

Specialized treatment facilities within general or psychiatric hospitals are rapidly increasing

in number. One of them is known as Charter. Earlier and better treatment has led to high recovery rates.

In addition to physical complications and withdrawal symptoms, treatment involves counseling and group

therapy such as AA are directed at complete recovery from the symptoms from alcoholism. The desired goal,

of these facilities is that there can be a safe return to social drinking. Antabuse, is a drug that

produces a violent intolerance for alcohol as long as the substance remains in the body and is sometimes

used after withdrawal. Despite these promising signs, estimates of the annual number of deaths related

to excessive drinking exceed 97,000 in the United States alone. Economic costs related to alcoholism are

at least $100 billion a year.

These facts should help you to understand that alcoholism is very serious and should not be taken

lightly. I have went over the symptoms of alcoholics to help to recognize alcoholics. I talked about

the effects of alcoholism on people and their families. Then I concluded with the treatment of

alcoholism. This is a serous disease and can be completely avoided.