Alcoholism: What Is The Scope Of The Problem

Posted on Aug 04, 2009 under Alcoholism, effects of alcoholism | No Comment

 

 

Alcoholism: What Is The Scope Of The Problemthe issue of alcohol abuse is one of our biggest health and social problems, ranking along with heart disease, mental illness, and cancer issues. yet, emphasis on the treatment of alcoholism has been greatly neglected and doesn’t reflect how serious the problem is.in the united states of america, there are from 11 to 15 million persons addicted to alcohol. the big problem of alcoholism affects the individual, and ruins his life and others. it also affects his health, happiness, personal safety, life span, and their family relationships.booze can take its toll in many ways. approximately half of the traffic deaths each year are caused by a drunk driver or a pedestrian who had been drinking. at any time, one-half of those in our jails have been booked on drinking-related charges. one-third of the homicides in america are linked to alcohol abuse, and of all suicides reported, about one-fourth are alcohol-related.in the business world, many billions of dollars are spent each year because of alcoholism. about one-half of america’s alcoholics are employed and lose about two or three times more workdays per year than the average worker does. also, these employees have about three times more of the off-job accidents than other workers do. they endanger the safety of those around them and affect the morale and the efficiency of all workers.most people think the majority of alcoholics are skid row bums. only five percent of all problem drinkers would fall into this category. actually, the problem drinker lives among us. they are able to live and work, but not as effectively and successfully if they were not suffering from alcoholism.these alcoholics are your co-workers, the housewives in your neighborhood, your friends, or maybe even someone you love. in this country, there are more male alcoholics than female alcoholics.the effects of alcohol on a person happen in stages. in the first stage, it affects his self-control and judgement. in the second stage, his memory, speech, physical reflexes, and thinking are affected.the third stage finds them in a daze or perhaps even a coma. excessive and abusive use of alcohol over a long period of time can result in malnutrition and severe damage to the body organs, especially the brain and liver. the shakes, can occur as the result of damage to the nervous systems.there is no “one cause” of alcoholism. people seem to use alcohol to get away from something, to relieve anixety, or to help them face their problems. licquor is also used to cover up feelings of insecurity or guilt.during the early stages, it’s difficult to tell a social drinker from a problem drinker, there are some clues however. clues include promises to quit drinking, frequent drinking to relieve tension, and, changes in personality.during the middle state, the problem drinker tries to hide his drinking, and drinking in the morning is more apt to occur. also the signs of drinking are more noticeable, especially at work. the person finds it harder to feel right, or “high”, regardless of how much he drinks.the person now drinks daily out of necessity. once in the final stages of alcoholism, loneliness, isolation, and distress set in. the problem drinker lives to drink, neglects his health, and suffers personality changes. they are tense, irritable and booze becomes the most important thing in their life.his health hits rock bottom, and physical weakness is starts by their abuse of alcohol and the malnutrition that comes with it. the only way to cure the problem of alcoholism is for the alcoholic to completely quit drinking and never ever drink again.alcohol abuse is considered a medical problem, and the american medical association urges all hospitals and clinics to accept alcoholic patients. also, seeking treatment to help the alcoholic get on their feet without the use of alcohol is recommended. restoring the health of the alcoholic is the first step. the second and most difficult step includes the revitalization and well being of the total person. this takes much longer.alcoholism is a major problem–one that shows signs of steadily increasing. alcoholism is treatable and will yield to our efforts to control it.By: Jack PointerArticle Directory: http://www.articledashboard.comFind all the latest medical related websites here at linkbidguide medical, and medical websites

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