Alcoholism
Alcoholism is disease characterized by a strong desire to drink, the inability to stop drinking once a person has commenced, the need for increased amounts of alcohol to feel the effect, and the occurrence of withdrawal symptoms (nausea, sweating, shakiness). Most experts agree that alcoholism is a disease just as depression and influenza are. Abusing alcohol can lead to everlasting effects on a person’s life and their family. There is a difference between a social drinker and an alcoholic. A social drinker drinks in moderation, knowing his or her limits, complementing the occasion. An alcoholic drinks to fulfill their craving, their addiction, and to escape their realities. Alcoholism is chronic and has severe physiological and psychological consequences. Alcoholism doesn’t discriminate and if treatment is not sought out permanent and irreversible damage is inevitable.
According to James D. Torr, in “Introduction.” Current Controversies: Alcoholism, there are approximately 14 million people with alcohol problems in America alone. Despite having alcohol-related problems such as loss of job and friends, legal, and financial troubles, people will continue to drink to satisfy their urges. Torr states that there are more than 100,000 deaths that are alcohol-related in the United States alone. Alcohol is also involved in half the murders, accidental deaths and suicides, and in half of all committed crimes. Lack of self control and irresponsibility when drinking will heighten an individual’s self-image, making that person think
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that they can do or get away with anything. This type of demeanor will have destructive consequences in our society.
Alcoholism has the pre alcoholism stage, the early alcoholism stage, the acute stage, the early chronic stage, the late chronic stage and...