Alcoholism in the 21st Century
The dictionary describes alcoholism as continued excessive or compulsive use of alcoholic drinks. However, this disease is much more complex. Alcohol abuse is a growing problem in the United States today, causing more and more deaths each year. It affects nearly everyone in the U.S. today, either directly or indirectly. Over half of Americans have at least one close relative that has a drinking problem. About 20 million people in the United States abuse alcohol. It is the third leading cause of preventable deaths, and about 100,000 people die each year from alcohol related incidents (Peacock 11). Alcohol is not a new invention of modern societies. It has been around through many different ancient cultures, wine being the most prominent substance. Some cultures viewed alcohol consumption as good, while others perceived it good only in moderation. For example, the Greek god Bacchus was known for his excessive drinking while the Roman god Dionysus was known for teaching moderation in drinking (Peacock 20-21). Alcoholism was also learned to have existed in history. Interpreted writings on the tomb of an Egyptian king who lived over 5,000 years ago read, "His earthly abode was rent and shattered by wine and beer. And the
Children of alcoholics have a higher tendency to abuse alcohol or other drugs, as they get older. United States: Holt, Rinehart, and Winston, 2001. However, one out of three of students doesn't know that all wine coolers contain alcohol. Domestic abuse is higher in cases where one spouse abuses alcohol. Drowning our Sorrows, Psychological Effects of Alcohol Abuse. Once a person becomes sober from being an alcoholic, it is very hard for that person to stay sober. In the past 25 years, research on causes and treatment has increased substantially. However, today we know that a person who goes through several periods of withdrawal symptoms can end up with permanent brain damage (Peacock 84). Sometimes the violence will reach out to children, intentionally or unintentionally, and results in child abuse (Peacock 54). Alcoholism is a very serious problem that usually takes years of counseling and support to overcome. Physical dependence reveals itself in withdrawal symptoms when alcohol intake is interrupted.
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