Alcohol Abuse

Alcohol is extremely abundant in today’s society. It is culturally accepted that when a person turns 21, they will go out to bars and drink with their friends. Even before age 21, young adults and teens feel a want or a pressure to start drinking socially. Because it is so prevalent, it is also hard to tell when and why alcohol use becomes alcohol abuse. The effects of alcohol abuse are not hard to identify, but people who have a dependence of alcohol will not want to acknowledge these effects. They will continue to usealcohol even if their work, medical, or home life is suffering greatly.

The facts about alcohol can be quite surprising to some. Most people develop an alcohol dependencebetween ages 18 and 25. The symptoms of abuse will probably alternate between periods of abusing to periods of the abstinence of alcohol. During the periods of abuse, the effects of alcohol can be quite detrimental, not only to the individual but also to the individual’s family as well. There is a strong relationship between drinking and domestic violence. Also, children of at least one alcoholic parent are at higher risk for becoming dependent on alcohol as well. These children are also more receptive to negative feelings, stress, aggression and alienation. In general, people who suffer from alcohol dependence will probably experience some sort of depression and/or antisocial behavior.

To look closer at the actual substance of alcohol, rather than the psychological effects it can produce, we’ll dive a little deeper into the facts on alcohol. When alcohol is consumed, it travels through the bloodstream and into the body’s tissues. Depending on how much the individual weighs, how much he/she has eaten that day, and what age they are will affect the way alcohol interacts with their body. When alcohol is consumed in small amounts, it may cause dizziness, excessive talking and “party behavior.” In larger amounts, slurred speech, nausea, vomiting, and an hangover (headache, nausea) will ensue after the alcohol wears off. Those are only the short-term effects. The long-term effects can get scary. Later on down the road leading to alcoholism, alcohol abuse can cause irreparable damage to the liver and the brain. It has been studied and shown that women suffer the long-term effects much faster then men do.

Alcohol dependence is a scary and unpredictable thing. If you feel that you or a loved one is suffering from a dependence of alcohol, do not hesitate to get help. In moderation, alcohol can be used healthily in a social setting, but when alcohol is abused, you may have the start of a chronic illness on your hands. Treatment for alcohol dependence does work, and it is available for anyone who feels out of control with their alcohol use.

Alcohol Abuse