Alcoholism: The Misuse and Addiction “I know my limit,” “Just one more drink,” and “I’m not drunk” are common phrases people often associate with being an alcoholic. While it is true that some alcoholics can use such phrases, that is not what makes them an alcoholic. Alcoholics or rather anyone who happens to drink a little too much, are marked with this title. But what does it really mean to be an alcoholic? Or better yet, what does it mean to suffer from Alcoholism? When a person is considered an alcoholic or when a person suffers from alcoholism, it is because he or she misuses alcohol to the point of physical dependence. For example, the symptoms for this dependence are cravings which usually occur during periods of not drinking, preoccupation …show more content…
Schwartz believes that Alcoholism is like any other addiction, and that “…there may be aspects of “choice” in their [alcoholics] behavior but we also know that alcohol is a depressant and addictive… [and that] addicted individuals often have a part of them that wants to be “healthy” and stop the addiction but struggle to do so due to many different factors” (Shine). Schwartz is stating that there may be different factors that contribute to this misuse of Alcoholism. Therefore, it is not entirely the result of the person drinking, but various other factors as well. Schwartz discusses that there are mental illnesses that coincide with Alcoholism and that some aspects of life are simply too overwhelming, leading to drinking in order to avoid or cope with these aspects. Schwartz also expresses how difficult it is to treat those suffering from Alcoholism because she must first get a clear understanding of who they are and what factors contribute to their tendency to misuse in order to provide accurate …show more content…
It is likely that Alcoholism will precede to increase and so will the possibility for cirrhosis as well as other illnesses attributed to the misuse of alcohol. If no one joins in to see who is really at fault and provide effective assistance for those suffering, there may not be much anyone can do in the future to reduce it. Even though, there are some hardships in reference to Alcoholism, alcoholics are not responsible for their misuse because hey are simply victims of a serious and often relentless disease. They need proper and attentive treatment not just from therapy and medications, but treatment in terms of the support from those around them as well. Their condition needs to be considered as something real, and their well being needs to be cared about, even if they are often unable to do it themselves. They need help to understand that they matter and that whatever issues or triggers that are causing this urge to drink, can be treated in a healthier and more efficient
Alcoholism has raised many debates over the truth of its nature. Many scholars argue that alcoholism can be treated as a disease. Such approach to defining alcoholism means denying that alcohol abusers own a choice. In consequence, the treatment related differs and may or may not actually help alcoholics recover. A wrong diagnostic of this addiction can lead to serious health issues; therefore, it is vital to answer the following question: Is alcoholism a disease? Most experts in this field criticises this view of alcoholism as a disease due to the fact that this theory simply lacks a cure. It also victimises alcohol abuser, hence, completely negating the power of will. Finally, the disease theory comes from a history of misinformation that has now resulted in the very source of confusion within our society. Alcoholism is extremely complex and affects all part of the abuser, the brain, the body, the genes, and the psychic; hence, it is hard to classify alcoholism as a whole Instead, it should be regarded in a case-by-case fashion.
Most people have a confused idea of alcoholism as a disease that invades or attacks your good health. Use of such a strong word such as "disease" shapes the values and attitudes of society towards alcoholics. A major implication of the disease concept is that what is labeled a "disease" is held to be justifiable because it is involuntary. This is not so. Problem drinking is a habit in which the so-called "alcoholic" simply has decided that the benefits of drinking outweigh the liabilities; it is all a matter of personal choice. An alcoholic participates in or causes many of their own problems by their behavior and the decisions they make, so why should they be viewed as helpless victims of a "disease"(Skipper 1)? Alcoholism should not be
Research has shown that alcoholism is a choice, not a disease, and stripping alcohol abusers of their choice, by applying the disease concept, is a threat to the health of the individual. “The disease concept originated in the 1800s with a fellow by the name of Dr Benjamin Rush. He believed alcoholics were diseased and used the idea to promote his prohibitionist political platform.Alcohol was freely consumed, but drunkenness was not tolerated. During this period of time, social ties and family played a much more influential role in an individual's life. Therefore, deviant behaviours were undesirable and less likely to occur.” It was not until industrialisation began, when the importance of social and family ties diminished, that alcoholism became a problem.(Barbour).It's not the drinks fault that there are drunk people it's only doing what it is made for, like guns, they don't kill people the person kills not the guns. The guns are only doing what they were made
It is difficult to find what the cause of alcoholism is. Many experts lean towards “genes, the environment, and having low self-image”(Alcohol use, n.d., Para 2). Many experts also believe that alcoholism occurs when a person “drinks so much over time that your body becomes dependent on or addicted to alcohol. When this happens, alcohol use becomes the most important thing in a person’s life”(What Is, n.d., Para 1).
Even though the user will deny any problem with the drinking, he or she will attempt to continue camouflaging his or her addiction by either lying or withdrawing. The relationship between the alcohol and the drinker may grow stronger since those outside this relationship might interfere. In time, alcohol will impact decisions by irrationally and impulsively dissuading the addict of what is in his or her best interest. Therefore, professional and personal responsibilities will not be attended to and more high-risk behavior will take
“Alcoholism is a primary, chronic disease with genetic, psychosocial, and environmental factors influencing its development and manifestations. The disease is often progressive and fatal. It is characterized by impaired control over drinking, preoccupation with the drug alcohol, use of alcohol despite adverse consequences, and distortions in thinking, most notably denial. Each of these symptoms may be continuous or periodic.”(The Columbia Encyclopedia, 2013)
Alcoholism is a condition in which a person has irresistible urge to consume alcohol. When a person consumes more alcohol than his body limits is often termed as alcohol abuse. This behavior soon takes a shape of a painful disease that kills both his physical as well as the mental health. If he continues drinking for long, he will not be able to resist alcohol and will become totally addicted to it. This situation is called as alcoholism.
It is ill-fated that numerous individuals within our community and global suffers from the effects of alcohol dependence. There are countless issues linked with this dependence and several times it’s not solitary the object that deals with the habit but also the individuals in close involvement with the individual.
Alcoholism is a an addiction of excessive consumption of alcohol that has been the cause all kinds of abuses in thousands of families. Throughout many years families of an alcoholic person have suffered the hardships of dealing with a person who consistently drinks alcohol in excessive and can not be controlled.While the causes of why a person becomes an alcoholic varies for each person, the effects of this addiction can sure noted. NOt only does alcoholism cause damage to your body, but it also cause a destruction in family, and poor conducts with the people you love and people you do not even know.
Alcoholism is often referred to as alcohol use disorder. It occurs when a person compulsively uses alcohol in excess. People who have alcohol use disorder may experience psychological and physical symptoms when they attempt to stop using alcohol.
Many people can stop drinking after one or two beers or glasses of wine, vodka, whiskey, or other alcoholic beverages. Some people, however, can't stop, and are at great risk of alcoholism. Alcoholism affects both your body and your life. Excessive drinking over a long period can lead to dependency--so great a need for alcohol that you will become physically ill if you abruptly stop drinking. Constant drunkenness can lead to loss of job and family, serious accidents, and arrest. Large amounts of alcohol consumed year after year also result in severe damage to the liver, brain, and heart. Without treatment, an alcoholic faces increasing illness and a needlessly early death.
The disease of alcoholism has so many different definitions and effects people a lot of people all over the world in so many different ways. The worst part of the effects of alcoholism is that it effects every individual differently so it hard to pin pointing what exactly causes it which makes understanding the disease that much harder. The age in which people start drinking is getting younger and younger and with that the people with alcohol problems is growing and growing; underage drinking can also effect the development of growing teenager and can really hurt them in so many different ways and the most important part is that it is against the law to consume alcohol if you are under the age of 21 but unfortunately that doesn’t deter kids from doing it. Even thought there are so many problems associated with alcoholism and the drinking begins at a younger and younger age there is hope the disease can be treated it is not a death sentence. Alcoholism can be treated though a lot of different channels life Alcoholics Anonymous can really bring those people that suffer from the disease back from the brink of death and for most it is a life changing program. Unfortunately even though alcoholism can be treating there are a lot of people out there that don’t ever receive treatment and they not only are putting their health in danger but they are also are putting innocence people in danger the longer they continuing on the treacherous path of alcoholism the higher the chance of
Whether you are trying to get your own drinking under control or be a source of support for a loved one, handling alcoholism can be quite a challenge. However, millions of people have recovered from alcoholism, so can you or your loved one! Start by limiting access to alcohol and making sure the person has plenty of support, too. You can also increase your chances of staying away from alcohol by implementing positive lifestyle habits.
Alcoholism is an addiction to the consumption of alcohol or the mental state and compulsive behavior resulting from dependency. Alcoholism begins with the dependency for the substance. Alcoholism is one of the most common addictions of all. In fact “Ten million to
It’s hard to understand alcoholism when your parents can have a glass of wine with dinner without finishing the whole bottle. Or if they can have a beer when they go out with friends and stop themself so they can actually drive home at the end of the night. My mom has struggled with alcoholism her entire life. Once a drop of alcohol touches her tongue, she doesn’t stop until she’s on the floor. She’d quit, and a month later drink again: the theory of an alcoholic. There was nothing I could do, I was eight years old; innocent. I believed her when she said she’d never drink again. I never realized it was a disease, a sickness, an addiction. I wasn’t aware that it was going to take more than her word for the drinking to stop. Alcoholism affects the drinker’s body, but more emotionally, it affects every single person around him or her.