Negative Effects of Alcohol - Problem Solving Argument Essay

The Negative Effects of Alcohol Alcohol has many functions in society and bears important cultural, religious and symbolic meanings in most countries. However it is also a drug with many toxic effects and other dangers such as intoxication and dependence. It is a contributing element for injuries and harm, intentional and unintentional, not only to the individual drinker, but other people as well. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention reported figures from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey indicating that “more than half of the adult U.S. population drank alcohol in the past 30 days. Approximately, 5% of the total population drank heavily, while 15% of the population binge drank” (“Alcohol Use”). Alcohol, when used in moderation and responsibly, can be considered an ordinary and enjoyable facet of everyday life by the majority of people in our society. Everyone is familiar with the various social settings in which alcohol is consumed, varying from relaxation or casual enjoyment to ceremonial and celebratory occasions. Equally familiar, however, is the widespread public health concerns and harm that can arise from the misuse of alcohol. The harmful use of alcohol does not only compromise the health and social well-being of the individual drinker, but can often have devastating impacts on their families, friends, co-workers, employers and outsiders. The negative impact of a multitude of alcohol-related problems extend deep into society and can seriously affect community life. The World Health Organization’s recent Global Data Report on Health and Alcohol specifies, “Harmful use of alcohol results in the death of 2.5 million people annually, causes illness and injury to many more, and increasingly affects younger generations and drinkers in developing countries. Harmful use of alcohol is defined as excessive use to the point that it causes damage to health and often includes adverse social consequences” (“Global Status”). The World Health

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