Alcoholism a Disease
Jackie Cole
Professor Franco
English Comp II
14 June 2011
Alcoholism a Disease Alcoholism is an extremely dangerous disease that has a way of manipulating anyone who allows it to consume them by turning their life around like a merry-go-round, resulting in problems within their home, school, work, and social relationships. Alcoholism has no prejudice it affects millions of Americans every day. Alcoholism is a chronic, often progressive disease in which a person craves alcohol and drinks despite repeated alcohol related problems. About 18 million people in the United States abuse alcohol and estimates suggest that more than 70 million Americans have dealt with alcoholism in their family (UMMC). With extreme numbers like this it’s a wonder how alcohol and products that contain alcohol are even legal. I recently read a poem called “Say You Love Me” written by Molly Peacock. The poem was about a father of two young girls who was an alcoholic. It reminded me of a time in my life when I was so young and innocent, but scared to death of the alcoholic man that I loved so much, my father. Throughout the poem Peacock tells the story through the eyes of one of the young girls who is extremely horrified of their father who came home late from work one evening drunk. The poor child has so much sorrow and emotion in her voice that I can feel her fear and resentment as I read through the poem. At the beginning of the poem the child asks, “What happened earlier I’m not sure of. Of course he was drunk, but often he was.” (Peacock 60) Just like in the poem, most alcoholics drink often, most daily, for no reason other than to satisfy their cravings. How do people let something so simple, like alcohol, take control over them? Becoming addicted to alcohol is often a gradual process that happens as alcohol that is consumed changes the level of chemicals in the brain until eventually the person craves alcohol to make them feel good again. When alcohol is
Professor Franco
English Comp II
14 June 2011
Alcoholism a Disease Alcoholism is an extremely dangerous disease that has a way of manipulating anyone who allows it to consume them by turning their life around like a merry-go-round, resulting in problems within their home, school, work, and social relationships. Alcoholism has no prejudice it affects millions of Americans every day. Alcoholism is a chronic, often progressive disease in which a person craves alcohol and drinks despite repeated alcohol related problems. About 18 million people in the United States abuse alcohol and estimates suggest that more than 70 million Americans have dealt with alcoholism in their family (UMMC). With extreme numbers like this it’s a wonder how alcohol and products that contain alcohol are even legal. I recently read a poem called “Say You Love Me” written by Molly Peacock. The poem was about a father of two young girls who was an alcoholic. It reminded me of a time in my life when I was so young and innocent, but scared to death of the alcoholic man that I loved so much, my father. Throughout the poem Peacock tells the story through the eyes of one of the young girls who is extremely horrified of their father who came home late from work one evening drunk. The poor child has so much sorrow and emotion in her voice that I can feel her fear and resentment as I read through the poem. At the beginning of the poem the child asks, “What happened earlier I’m not sure of. Of course he was drunk, but often he was.” (Peacock 60) Just like in the poem, most alcoholics drink often, most daily, for no reason other than to satisfy their cravings. How do people let something so simple, like alcohol, take control over them? Becoming addicted to alcohol is often a gradual process that happens as alcohol that is consumed changes the level of chemicals in the brain until eventually the person craves alcohol to make them feel good again. When alcohol is
Cited: Merickel. New Jersey. Prentice Hall. 2008, 2005, 2002. National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign (NYADMC). “Above The Influence.” Web. 2010 Reading Literature and Writing Argument: With Additional Research and Documentation Materials. (Peacock)Peacock, Molly. “Say You Love Me”. Custom Edition for Oklahoma City Community College. 3rd ed. Eds. Missy James and Alan Merickel. Upper Saddle River: Prentice Hall, 2008. Print. University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC). “Alcoholism.” Web. 2011