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Paper On Alcoholism

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Heroin, Cocaine, and Marijuana are all recognizable variations of drugs. “A drug is a chemical substance that affects the central nervous system, causing changes in behavior and often addition” (“American” 431). The affects a drug can have on the central nervous system as well as other parts of the body can be very devastating, but bodily damage is just one result of drug use. When a person abuses a drug it can cause them to act in a way that hurts themselves or others often resulting in problems at work, marital issues, child abuse, or even murder. Most drugs are illegal because of the harmful effects that can result from using and abusing them; however, one very powerful, extremely addictive drug has slipped through the cracks. This …show more content…

Although alcoholism is a very serious disease, someone who is psychologically dependent, also known as a problem drinker, can be even worse. “A person can abuse alcohol without actually being an alcoholic- that is, he or she may drink too much and too often but still not be dependent on alcohol”(Nakaya 120). “Problem drinkers are four times more numerous than alcoholics, are more active in society, and usually reject abstinence as a solution” (Wilson 70-71). Even though a problem drinker is not necessarily physically addicted to alcohol they still create problems for themselves by abusing alcohol such as DWI arrests, being late for work, or marriage problems. “Approximately 53 percent of men and women in the United States report that one or more of their close relatives has a drinking problem” (Mitchell 22). Alcohol abuse and alcoholism cut across gender, race, and nationality. In the United States, 17.6 million people – about 1 in every 12 adults – abuse alcohol or are alcohol dependent” (Nakaya 120). Regardless if someone is physically or psychologically dependent, he or she will do almost anything to get more alcohol (Biggers 46). Being dependent on alcohol can be very devastating to a person’s health. “Alcohol is absorbed into the body very quickly. Within minutes of a person taking a drink, it has reached the brain, muscles, nerves, and other parts of the body (Sanders and Myers 15). Alcohol is considered a depressant drug, which

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