Psyc 1001

Psyc 1001



Alcohol Dependence



















I. Introduction
II. Psychological Effects Brain
III. Physiological Effects
IV. Conclusion
Alcoholism is characterized by desire, physical reliance, lack of self-restraint, and tolerance. The most recent alcoholism statistics state that approximately 43% of Americans know someone who exhibits those four traits. Alcoholism is a widespread indiscriminative disease that has become a modern day epidemic. Many do not fully understand the psychological and physiological effects of alcohol dependence.
The psychological effects of alcoholism are endless so I chose to focus on two of the most important including aggression and moral deterioration. Studies have shown there is a direct two-way association between the consumption of alcohol and aggression. They feed upon each other until the dependent is trapped in the vicious cycle. Moral deterioration can be even more detrimental. I’ve seen firsthand the extent an alcoholic will go to satisfy their addiction. This includes panhandling, theft, and even performing sexual acts. What seems morally wrong becomes essential to daily life. I believe this is partially to blame for the inevitable breakdown of their overall character.
Most recently studies showed that an alcohol dependent brain is actually physiologically different. The study explained an alcoholic brain processes blood at a more rapid rate. This neural dysfunction is believed to be a contributing factor to several associated psychological effects. Alcohol dependence is also associated with Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome which is characterised by mental confusion, paralysis of the nerves that move the eyes, and difficulty with muscle coordination. Just those two physiological changes are more than enough to prevent one from living a normal life.
There is still much to learn about the effects of alcohol dependence on the human body and mind. For those already...

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