Preview

Long Term Effects Of Alcoholism In US

Powerful Essays
Open Document
Open Document
1367 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Long Term Effects Of Alcoholism In US
Alcoholism
Shadrack Opon
Kenyatta University
October 22, 2014
Alcoholism
Introduction
Alcoholism is a chronic problem that includes difficulty in controlling drinking, having to drink consistently to get physical independence, being preoccupied with alcohol, and continually using alcohol regardless of problems it causes (Brick, 2004). Alcohol should not be legal in U.S. because it is impacts negatively on health, family, community and on a person’s education.
Alcohol drinking is like taking a drug. It is a form of drug addiction and drug abuse. Alcoholism is a worldwide problem that affects many people. Drinking alcohol has negative short and long term effects. Alcoholism has been associated with adverse effects on health, family,
…show more content…
It means that when they spend all the money they have on alcohol, they forget their families, and are not able to support the community in anyway. Some resort to stealing to sustain their drinking habit. Alcohol addicts sometimes engage in robbery acts to get the money for drinks. Community becomes at risk of destruction with excessive alcohol consumption allowed. When many people engage in excessive consumption of alcohol, education becomes at risk. People drop out of school, and illiteracy level increase in the community. In addition, the progress and development of any community depends on the health of its people. Therefore, when alcohol puts the health of its members at risk, community suffers in the long …show more content…
Rosacae skin disorder is responsible for expansion of blood vessels in the face making it redder. Heavy drinking can cause the appearance of pus spots and red bumps. It has also been linked to inflammation, pain and swelling in the joints. The effect is common among men of between 30 and 60 years old (Hannigan, Spear, Spear & Goodlett, 1999). As mentioned earlier, heavy drinking increases the chances of heart disease, liver damage, bone disease, cancer, anxiety and depression, and type II diabetes. Heavy consumption of alcohol also caused inflammation on the pancreas and irritates stomach. These effects indirectly affect family, community and education (Peters,

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Better Essays

    The definition of alcoholism can be described as a chronic illness, which is marked by uncontrolled consumption of alcoholic beverages that interferes with physical or mental health, and social, family or occupational responsibilities (Medical Dictionary, Thesaurus and Encyclopedia.. n.d.)This dependence on alcohol has only been diagnosed as a medical disorder recently in the medical field. Like many other diseases, it has a predictable course, but whether it’s influenced environmentally or genetically is still up for debate. The disease can also be called progressive and fatal which means that the disease can persist over a long period of time, bodily changes progress as the drinking continues and can cause premature death through overdose, suicide, motor vehicle crashes and complications of the brain, liver, heart, and other organs. Alcoholism can be detected by four basic symptom’s, they are, tolerance which is the increasing need to drink excessive amounts to feel its affects, also impaired control which is the problem of not being able to stop oneself from drinking at any given time. Craving is another symptom characterized by a strong compulsion to drink, and lastly is physical dependence which shows withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety, sweating, nausea or shakiness (Nature vs. Nurture: A Continuing Debate |…

    • 1189 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    Alcoholism is characterized by the addiction to alcohol that is out of the drinker's control. Not being able to stop using alcohol can cause severe physical, mental, emotional and spiritual consequences. Alcoholism is a chronic progressive disease that can be fatal if left untreated. In reality people drink for many reasons such as; it helps them relax, gives them confidence, helps them sleep, helps reduce anxiety, stops them from worrying about things, deal with stress, deal with panic attacks, because they are depressed, because they are dependant on it, even to counter-act withdrawal symptoms. With these reasons people use alcohol to self medicate, but what they don't know is that in reality it makes…

    • 1151 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    essay 1 sociology

    • 207 Words
    • 1 Page

    I believe alcohol is a depressant that alters perceptions, emotions, and senses. Alcohol first acts as a stimulant, and then it makes people feel relaxed and a bit sleepy. High doses of alcohol seriously affect judgment and coordination. Drinkers may have slurred speech, confusion, depression, short-term memory loss, and slow reaction times. I believe a vast amount of alcohol drunk in a short period of time may cause alcohol poisoning. Teens who uses alcohol can become psychologically dependent upon it to feel good dealing with life, or handle stressful situation. I believe, their bodies may demand more and more to achieve the same kind of high experienced in the beginning and . Some teens are also at risk of becoming physically addicted to alcohol. Withdrawal from alcohol can be painful and even life threatening. Symptoms can range from shaking, sweating, nausea, anxiety, and depression to hallucinations, fever, as well as convulsions. Alcoholism may start innocuously, due to the acceptability of social drinking, but over time, can lead to serious health problems, including brain, kidney and liver damage. I believe although alcoholics seem to be doing the most damage to themselves, they are hurting their families even more.…

    • 207 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Heavy drinking, especially bingeing, makes platelets more likely to clump together into blood clots, which can lead to heart attack or stroke. In a landmark study published in 2005, Harvard researchers found that binge drinking doubled the risk of death among people who initially survived a heart…

    • 471 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Writing Assignment one

    • 859 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Alcohol is a powerful drug. It acts on the body primarily as a depressant and slows down the brain’s activities. If you continue to abuse alcohol it can lead to alcohol dependence. Alcohol dependence is also called alcoholism. You are physically or mentally addicted to alcohol. You have a strong need, or a craving, to drink. Long term heavy drinking harms your liver, nervous system, heart, and brain. It can cause health problems or make them worse. These problems include: cirrhosis or pancreatitis, high blood pressure, osteoporosis, certain types of cancer, including breast cancer, stroke, Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome. Alcohol abuse also can contribute to stomach problems, interactions between medicines, alcohol, and sexual problems. It can lead to violence, accidents, social isolation, and problems at work, school, or home. Drinking also makes symptoms of mental health problems worse. When you have a drinking problem and a mental health problem, it is called a dual diagnosis. It is very important to treat all mental health problems, such as depression.…

    • 859 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Moderate use of alcohol may have a beneficial effect on the human body. However, when alcohol is consumed in large amounts in a short period of time, and on a regular basis, that person is at risk of becoming addicted to alcohol. (Health Check Systems). One major issue of alcoholism, is when a person tries to quit, they become violent, depressed, or even suffer from anxiety attacks. (The Sobriety Solution). Alcohol is also known to contribute to liver problems, and cancers. Alcoholism may cause many cancers such as, Throat Cancer, Liver Cancer,…

    • 1593 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Alcohol is a drug with a depressant effect. Alcohol can negatively affect your brain, liver, central nervous system, and heart. The immediate effects of alcohol consumption are delayed reflexes and slurred speech. Since it is a depressant, alcohol slows down your brain. Consuming alcohol regularly can also lead to alcoholism. Alcoholism is a long-term chronic disease, it is when you a mentally or physically addicted to alcohol. Alcohol is a dangerous drug and should be consumed, if at all, under moderation.…

    • 1218 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Alcoholics Anonymous

    • 634 Words
    • 3 Pages

    In conclusion, the impacts of alcohol abuse are physical, mental and rationally. It can bring about numerous issues that influence your life in all viewpoints. Excess of alcohol can change your mind, muscles, assimilation procedure, and different issue that influence your wellbeing. It likewise can bring about you sadness or changes in your conduct that outcome in issues with your family, companions and with…

    • 634 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    With regards to alcohol has many long term effects. The bloodstream transports blood all over the body. As soon as alcohol is consumed, it goes into the bloodstream and spreads throughout the body. It can affect the bones; it was said in, “Effects of Heavy Drinking,” that alcohol can make arthritis more painful by inflaming the joints that are affected. Another example of liquor affecting the bones is gout which is another form of arthritis that harms the foot. The consumption of alcohol makes this disease more worse and more painful. Drinking too much can be followed up by an increase in blood pressure and diabetes which can then lead to different heart conditions (“Effects of Heavy Drinking.”). Another thing that can be harmed by alcohol…

    • 352 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Alcohol is a very powerful drug. It can ruin someone's life. It may also be able to ruin everyone that alcoholic lives around. But first what is alcoholism.…

    • 661 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    addiction to alcohol in which people continue to drink even though the drinking causes physical, mental and social problems, including problems with job responsibilities and relationships, according to the National Institutes of Health. As is the case with other addictions, alcoholism is considered a disease by many in the medical community, including the American Medical Association.…

    • 635 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Alcoholism Is A Disease

    • 274 Words
    • 2 Pages

    The term alcoholism has been used over the years as a vague, poorly understood, and sometimes morally flavored term. Alcoholism is described as a primary, chronic disease with genetic, psychosocial, and environmental factors influencing its development and manifestations . This is a disease, which has destroyed many people and families, and is a constant burden on our society. For many years alcohol has been the most widely abused substance in America. Alcoholism is a disease with many possible causes, and several detrimental effects on the alcoholic and those around them.…

    • 274 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Better Essays

    Millions of peoples are affected each day by alcohol. People do not realize it, but alcohol is a drug. The effects of alcohol on the body can range from mild effects such a small sicknesses, to extreme effects such as alcohol abuse. Drinking alcohol can lead to unhealthy and be destructive to the body. Since alcohol is a depressant, a small amount of it affects the human being psychologically. But in large doses alcohol can lead to alcohol poising, intoxication, alcoholism, coma and even can lead to death. Alcohol has a biphasic effect on the body, which means that the effects change overtime. At first, alcohol produces feelings of relaxation and happiness. But eventually, it can lead to dehydration, coordination problems, blurred vision, and other health and social issues.…

    • 1549 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    Teen Drinking

    • 1048 Words
    • 5 Pages

    It has been estimated that 3 million teenagers are alcoholics. Drinking as an adolescent can turn into an alcohol dependency as an adult, which could lead to many health problems. There are three types of diseases of the liver you can get from alcohol: Alcoholic cirrhosis, Alcoholic hepatitis and Fatty liver (all of these are deadly!!!). The physical effects of alcoholism are bad. Excessive in-take and extended use of alcohol can cause serious disturbances in body chemistry. "Many alcoholics exhibit swollen and tender livers. Drinking large amounts of alcohol during a long period of time without a healthy diet may cause serious liver damage, such as cirrhosis of the liver." Alcoholism also causes…

    • 1048 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Alcohol is everywhere in our culture and society, sharing a bottle of wine over a meal, going out for drinks with friends, and celebrating special occasions with champagne. Alcohol is such a common popular element in many activities; it can be hard to see when your drinking has crossed the line from moderate or social use to problem drinking. Having a drinking problem has many effects in your life. If you are not aware of your problem you can have many physical, economic, social, and legal consequences. Alcoholism and alcohol abuse can sneak up on you, so it’s important to be aware of the warning signs and take steps to cut back if you recognize them. If drinking is affecting your life then, you have a drinking problem.…

    • 909 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays