Alcoholism

Alcoholism

Alcoholism is not third or fourth, but the number one killer and public health

problem in the United States. The death rate for alcoholics is thirty-three-thousand a year,

compared to twelve thousand due to non alcoholic problems. Not to mention that being

an alcoholic costs money. They depend on any source of income to buy as much as they

can consume to experience their sense of high from it. Alcoholism, also known as alcohol

dependence, is a disease that includes four symptoms: craving, loss of control, physical

dependence and tolerance. Alcoholism will lead to hard life along with a non-distant

future.

Many people must ask themselves certain questions to figure out whether or not

they're alcoholics. They ask themselves these questions because they become worried that

they are alcoholics. This is the stage where they realize that alcoholism is a serious

problem and are willing to find ways to stop rather than it being too late and turning into

a complete drunk. Such questions are: Have you ever felt you should cut down on

your drinking? Have people annoyed you by criticizing your drinking? Have you ever felt

bad or guilty about your drinking? And finally, Have you ever had a drink first thing in

the morning? All studies show that these are the four main questions one must ask

themselves to determine if they do have a serious alcohol problem, and if one answers yes

to any of these questions, then they do.

People who aren't alcoholics don't understand sometimes why an alcoholic can't

use a little will power to stop drinking. The reason is that alcoholism has little to do with

will power. The craving for alcohol is really the issue. People often look down at

alcoholics as low-life's who can't afford to get a job and are a waste of society. But what

they don't realize is that these people are suffering from an uncontrollable need for

alcohol. The reason that they can't stop is that they're severely addicted. What people can

only do is to try and contribute to this problem of the modern society.

Alcoholism is so bad that fifteen of every one-hundred people either are

alcoholics or will become alcoholics. Many alcoholics are teenagers and some are even

preteens. This is the stage where most alcoholics become the way they are. Parents don't

pay much attention to their kids and those kids end up being the victims. They start at an

early age, around sixteen, where they're able to have access to a car. Because of this,

they're able to visit friends, and go to parties while telling mommy and daddy that they're

in a study group. The problem is that parents are so blind that they think their kids are

angels and aren't capable of such things. What a rude awakening they get when they find

their children locked up or dead because of their drinking problem. Parents could be the

only thing that could prevent alcoholism before it starts. Child abuse, divorce between

parents, domestic problems, and peer pressure are most of the main causes of becoming

and alcoholic. What we need to do is to grasp this concept as a whole and figure out more

ways to attend to the victim's needs.

Alcoholics suffer from their illnesses. As alcoholism progresses, alcoholics need

to drink more and more often, just to feel normal. Once they realize that they've drank too

much, they can't stop. Ironically, they want to keep from getting drunk so they can avoid

embarrassment and withdrawal symptoms such as trembling, irritability, nausea, or

insomnia. Disgusted with themselves, they try to find ways to gain control over their

drinking. No strategy works for long though because they're so disgusted with themselves

they result to anger and depression. Personal relationships breakdown and it might even

effect your job. Physical problems also develop such as the loss of memory or disturbing

memory lapses called blackouts. Some even come addicted to their tranquilizers. They eat

poorly because their liver is irritated and inflamed digestive system give them heartburn,

nausea, and gas. Their sex drive depletes and insomnia robs them of needed sleep. These

are the most common effects of an isolated alcoholic.

Alcoholism will lead to a dysfunctional family. Women and their offspring