Alcholism

Alcoholism

I want to discuss alcoholism. I think that it is a serious illness, and feel that everyone knows someone who is sick with it. This topic is very important to me, because I deal with an alcoholic on a daily basis. It takes a toll on my family and myself. I think it can affect others just as much if not more than the person who is the alcoholic. I want this paper to give some knowledge about who can be considered an alcoholic and how it affects that person both mentally and physically. I will talk about the effect on the people that are close to the alcoholic as well. Lastly, I want to talk about ways people can get help; not only for the person with the disease, but for the people they effect. I have done extensive research on this disease and have talked to many professionals as well. I consider most of this information fact, and some is personal experience.

Alcoholism is a disease that affects many people in the United States today. It not only affects the alcoholic, but also their family, friends, co-workers, and eventually total strangers. The symptoms are many, as are the causes and the effects. A big question some people have is: what is alcoholism? The answer: alcoholism is a complex chronic psychological and nutritional disorder associated with excessive and usually compulsive drinking. This is an exact definition that might be hard to understand. Basically, alcoholic abuse is a destructive pattern of alcohol use, leading to significant social, occupational, or medical impairment. A person's alcohol tolerance doesn't have anything to do with being an alcoholic. In reading several books on alcoholism, a person that has to drink everyday is considered an alcoholic. Being an alcoholic has many downfalls, such as the withdrawal symptoms. Some of the most common withdrawal symptoms

consist of mood swings and high blood pressure. Some more serious withdrawal symptoms can include: sweating, rapid pulse, increased hand tremor, insomnia, nausea or vomiting, anxiety, and even grand mal seizers.

There are two types of drinkers. The first type is called the casual or social drinker, which means they drink because they want to. They drink with a friend or with a group for pleasure and only on occasion. The other type is called the compulsive drinker, which means they drink because they have to; despite the adverse effects that drinking has on their lives. Some facts say that the cause of alcoholism is a combination of biological, psychological, and cultural factors and that is what may contribute to the development of alcoholism in an individual. It has also been studied and found that alcoholism seems to run in families. It is still not conclusive on how alcoholism is associated with family members; studies show that 50 to 80 percent of all alcoholics have had a close alcoholic relative. Alcoholism can also be related to emotional instabilities. An example is that alcoholism is often associated with a family history of manic-depressive illness. Additionally, like many other drug abusers, alcoholics often drink hoping to get rid of anxious or depressed feelings, and some alcoholics drink to reduce feelings of guilt.

I think that social and cultural factors play a role in establishing drinking patterns and the development of alcoholism. Society seems to aid in the development of alcoholism by making alcohol seem glamorous, and showing that by drinking you can become more popular, more glamorous and more worthy of respects from others. I think this helps in even younger people start a drinking habit.

The physical effects of alcoholism are terrible. Excessive in take for a long period of time can cause serious disturbances in body chemistry. Many alcoholics exhibit swollen and tender livers. The prolonged use of large amounts of alcohol without adequate