1. 1
Alcoholism: Causes and Effects
Alcoholism is one of the major challenges that are experienced in the word today. It also
is known as alcohol use disorder a condition that involves excessive consumption of alcohol over
a long period especially a case where one is not able to manage their drinking habits (Debra).
Alcoholism can range from mild, moderate to severe each category having various symptoms. It
is characterized by dependence on alcohol and an inability to stop drinking (Debra). Alcoholism
does not only have an impact on the individual consuming alcohol but also on the family, the
society and even the country at large. At an individual level, some of the effects include ill-health
associated with diseases such as brain defects, liver diseases, and heart problems, just to mention
a few. Alcoholism has also been linked to violence and poverty that affects families of the
individual with the disorder and even the society. The main symptoms of alcohol dependence
comprise; Inability to control alcohol consumption, putting alcohol above personal
responsibilities, spending excess amounts of money on alcohol and craving for alcohol when not
drinking (Debra).
The main reasons why most people become alcoholics or resort to drinking is to: relieve
stress; some consume alcohol because they feel good as it gives them a break from reality, others
become alcoholics due to the inability to cope with the loss of a family member or friend and
others to overcome anxiety. This is because there is a belief that when you drink alcohol, it will
help you forget the issues at hand, but then people always neglect the negative defects (Gronbek
410). I would recommend that people should learn to be responsible and learn to deal with
situations without necessarily resorting to alcohol. Some people also indulge in drinking due to
peer pressure which is the major case with our youths in our society today (Debra).
2. 2
Many youths are alcoholics in the world today and as a result, the society gives rise to
irresponsible and unhealthy addicts which lead to the reduction of workforce hence low
production in industries. It has also impaired the socio-economic development of many countries
as government(s) spent a lot of money in buying of drugs for treating infections caused by
alcohol such as liver cirrhosis, money which could be used to develop other sectors of the
economy (Federico 1922). Also many of road accidents is as a result of bad driving habits which
is primarily due to alcohol influence. It therefore, shows that alcoholism is a major problem
which cannot be ignored because it has a negative effect which begins at the individual level,
family, and the society as a whole. I specifically thought of the topic to encourage emphasis to be
given to the problem and address the issue to detail. Most of the time people think about national
issues relating to trade, agriculture, mining, income levels, HIV ignoring alcoholism not knowing
that it equally has adverse negative effects on the nation’s progress both at the individual level,
family and the society as a whole (Gronbek 417).
Alcohol consumption causes health problems, which are long-term effects of addiction
because they occur after a long period drinking. These diseases include; cirrhosis of the liver
which has become a major problem in the world today. Alcohol is lethal to the liver cells and
sometimes causes the liver never to function; anemia, it causes oxygen-carrying blood cells to be
low in the body (Federico 1927). This situation causes symptoms like fatigue, lightheadedness,
and shortness of breath. It is believed that the body can convert alcohol into acetaldehyde which
is linked with mouth and throat cancer. Heavy drinking also causes Dementia which is abnormal
shrinkage of some parts of the brain resulting in memory loss. Heavy drinking can cause epilepsy
and seizure even in those who are not epileptic and can also interfere with its medication. High
blood pressure, it interferes with the nervous system, a system which controls constriction and
3. 3
dilation of blood vessels and as a result causes stress and exertion. Over a period, this condition
becomes a chronic disease, and can also lead to kidney and heart disease and sometimes stroke
(Debra).
Short term effects are due to the action of alcohol in the nervous system (CNS) since it
affects the balance of neurotransmitters. This disruption gives rise to some effects such as slowed
reactions, poor memory, blurred vision, slurred speech, mood swings and sometimes extreme
emotions slow heart rate and breathing, difficulty in balancing, impaired judgments,
hallucinations where somebody sees imaginary things among others. These conditions are short
termed and end after some hours (Gronbek 409).
The female gender is at a bigger risk of emerging alcohol-associated problems compared
to men. Some of the effects that alcohol have in women include; Breast Cancer especially for
those that come from families that have a history of breast cancer. Drinking by pregnant women
can harm unborn babies and results to defect called Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS). Babies that
has FAS have unique variations in their facial features and maybe born small. They may also
suffer from brain damage which may have long life effects in their memory, learning, attention
and problem-solving. If a woman is an alcoholic and she wants to get pregnant or pregnant, she
should quit alcohol consumption for the rest of the pregnancy (Gronbek 410).
Alcohol, on the other hand, causes economic and social effects starting from the person,
family and stretches to the society as whole. Traffic violence and accidents as a result of
alcoholism, for example, has an impact on the society regarding the resources necessary for
criminal justice, hospital care as well as societal institutions. Alcoholism causes absences at
work and work accidents. People who are such from diseases such as liver cirrhosis leaves work
more frequently to seek medication which has negative effects the production of industries hence
4. 4
poor performance and low production (Federico 1927). Increased drinking may also lead to
unemployment especially situations where alcoholics would prefer drinking rather than their own
job. In the family setup, alcoholism impairs the way a person performs his roles to the society.
Some parents neglect their roles and children for instance lives in hardship a result that has led to
many street children in towns across the globe. The impact in the family to other members can
also include substantial mental health problems such anxiety and depression (Debra). Consuming
alcohol outside home means less time spent with family members. Hence children lack touch
with their parents and the financial cost spent on treating ailments and buying of alcohol can
impair a family financially. In the case of abusing husbands, alcohol plays a substantial role due
to short term effects.
Risk profesional women. This has affect congregational organisation in churches which include
bad behaviour factors for dependence have received broad experiential attention even for women
religious (Nuns). Interest in comprehending the dynamics of compulsions within religious
comunities has augmented with a growing realisation that women religious are just as susceptible
to addictions as other and likelihood of unchaste practices (Mckechnie and Hill).
Alcohol consumption has caused immense damage to the society today. It is convincing
that alcohol consumption should have no future in the society. Regulations should be passed on
the amount of alcohol to be sold to an individual at a particular time, including regulations
concerning time for drinking. Guidance and counseling should be initiated which can educate the
youth about alcohol by having public campaigns on the effects of alcohol (Federico) 1923. In the
medical field, for example, regulations should be put in place for pregnant mothers against
alcohol because the effect does not only last with them; it is more adverse on the unborn babies.
5. 5
Treatment for alcohol abuse is intended at training patients on how they can manage the
condition. Most proffesionals believe that treatment to this disorder is about giving up alcohol
permanently. The first and the primary step is to recognise that a problem actually exist; and the
succesful treatment is having the desire to change completely. However, treatment requires
close supervision by a medical doctor. A doctor may prescribe medications that help reduce
cravinhgs for alcohol during this time of recovery some of which include Revia that reduces the
crave for alcohol (Debra). In 2010, The World Health organisation (WHO), allotted a document
to decrease the risk of alcohol consumption marking alcohol an “avoidable” factor. The aim of
the documents included community based programs, policies related to driving, and reduced
availability to alcohol (Federico 1923).
In conclusion, alcohol use disorder has become a problem to the society today. It has
effects ranging from individual problems on the alcoholics, immediate environment, families, the
society and country at large. If the problem is not addressed, then people would continue getting
sick, having problems with their finances, industries experiencing low productivity and the
government spending more money on treatment that would rather be used to develop various
sectors of the economy. If one estimates the impact the impact of alcohol on the society
beginning with the material welfare, social costs of treatments, deterrence, research law
enforcement and low productivity it would be clear the need for urgency to deal with alcoholism.
Alcohol use disorder would still be on the increase if not looked into and the society would
continue feeling its effects and with time to adverse levels.
6. 5
Treatment for alcohol abuse is intended at training patients on how they can manage the
condition. Most proffesionals believe that treatment to this disorder is about giving up alcohol
permanently. The first and the primary step is to recognise that a problem actually exist; and the
succesful treatment is having the desire to change completely. However, treatment requires
close supervision by a medical doctor. A doctor may prescribe medications that help reduce
cravinhgs for alcohol during this time of recovery some of which include Revia that reduces the
crave for alcohol (Debra). In 2010, The World Health organisation (WHO), allotted a document
to decrease the risk of alcohol consumption marking alcohol an “avoidable” factor. The aim of
the documents included community based programs, policies related to driving, and reduced
availability to alcohol (Federico 1923).
In conclusion, alcohol use disorder has become a problem to the society today. It has
effects ranging from individual problems on the alcoholics, immediate environment, families, the
society and country at large. If the problem is not addressed, then people would continue getting
sick, having problems with their finances, industries experiencing low productivity and the
government spending more money on treatment that would rather be used to develop various
sectors of the economy. If one estimates the impact the impact of alcohol on the society
beginning with the material welfare, social costs of treatments, deterrence, research law
enforcement and low productivity it would be clear the need for urgency to deal with alcoholism.
Alcohol use disorder would still be on the increase if not looked into and the society would
continue feeling its effects and with time to adverse levels.
