The Effects of Alcoholism

The Effects of Alcoholism

  • Submitted By: abpeyton
  • Date Submitted: 11/19/2008 6:11 PM
  • Category: English
  • Words: 677
  • Page: 3
  • Views: 714

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The Damages of Alcoholism
Many of us know at least one alcoholic, whether they’re a family member, or a friend. Alcoholism affects far too many people in America. This paper will discuss a few of the many ways this terrible disease can destroy ones health, family and lifestyle conditions.
One obvious way that alcohol can destroy life is through the destruction of ones health. There are several diseases that may develop through the abuse of alcohol and a big one is cirrhosis of the liver. Cirrhosis of the liver is an irreversible disease that once you have it, the only way to make it better is to have a liver transplant. Another horrible disease that one may acquire from excess drinking is called gout. Gout is a painful disease which causes inflammation in the body’s joints, like arthritis, affecting primarily the big toe. Heavy drinking, particularly over time, can damage the heart, increasing ones risk of a heart attack and heart disease, which could possibly lead to death. These are only a few reasons why alcohol can destroy ones health.
In addition, the most important devastation would be the effects that alcoholism has on ones family. Alcoholics’ have no idea the stress and hurt they put on a family if they are drunk all the time. They may break apart a family by lying, cheating or even physical abuse. We have all heard the stories of a husband or wife getting too drunk one night at a bar, only to come home and hit their spouse or children There’s only so much abuse that a family can take before he or she ruins their marriage or relationship with their kids. If an alcoholic comes home night after night and his or her children sees their parent in this intoxicated state, there is a chance that their children may grow up to follow his or her footsteps as a drunk. Alcoholism can be a very expensive disease as well. Rather than paying for bills to have electricity, running water or food, the alcoholic will spend their money at the bar taking...

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