What is alcoholism? Alcoholism is an addiction to the consumption of alcoholic liquor or the mental illness and compulsive behavior resulting from alcohol dependency. For some people it might just be the occasional night out to relieve some stress, but for an alcoholic it’s not only a need, it’s a dependency. There are no advantages that can come from abusing alcohol. Alcoholism negativity affects everyone involved – it affects the drinker’s health, their family, and their way of life. The effects of alcohol vary whether the drinker is male or female, adult or adolescent, and the length of time that the drinker has been drinking. The effects can be long-term or short-term. They can range from something …show more content…
He writes, “I am an alcoholic. I have been clean and sober for several years now. My drinking was out of control for more than half my life. My wife took on the role of head of household and all the stress of that plus dealing with an alcoholic husband and father. I was in the military for several years but was asked to leave after being caught drunk on duty. Afterwards, I had several jobs that only lasted for a short period of time; usually I would quit before they asked me to leave. Everyday my wife. Michele, would leave for work knowing I would probably be drunk when she returned. On one occasion, the police were called because I had hit her and would not calm down. I am not proud of this, but it happened and it is a part of my life. I had gotten so bad that I would have seizures from alcohol withdrawal when I would have to stop drinking. When my family went to my brother’s wedding in another state, I had to make sure I would start the trip off in my own selfish way. When I started to come down off the booze I had guzzled before we left, I had a seizure and we had to stop so I could be admitted to the hospital” (Alcoholic Husband). This man was lucky enough to have a spouse that stood by him and helped him find his way to recovery. Alcoholics are two times more likely to be divorced than those who don’t