Essays

Alcohol is the most used and abused drug in the world, for this reason there is no wonder why we have alcohol problems. The most common problem is alcoholism. Alcoholism is a chronic, usually progressive, disease that includes both a psychological and a physical addiction to; alcohol. Alcoholics know what will happen to them when'' they drink but they are so addicted they can't stop drinking.

Alcohol becomes the most important part of the person’s life. It totally consumes them; all their thoughts and actions have to do are somehow associated with alcohol. Alcoholism like other illnesses will become worse without treatment and remain life threatening as long as it is left untreated.

The psychological dependence an alcoholic has is when they think alcohol is necessary and life will not be good without; it. The physical dependence an alcoholic has is when their body becomes so used to the drug that it now needs alcohol; to function without pain. Alcoholism is not a disease, experienced only by adults. Alcoholism, like any-illness, can strike at any age.

Ninety percent of all alcoholics are employed, and many work for years before their alcoholism becomes so bad that they cannot perform their job. Survey officials estimate that the abuse of alcohol costs the economy of the families of the alcoholics. Alcohol does this by making people be less productive at work, taking more sick days, sustaining on the job injuries, collecting more workmen's compensation, and increasing health insurance premiums.

Prolonged alcohol use like that of an alcoholic can lead to permanent damage to body. The liver is the organ of the body most vulnerable to damage by alcohol because the liver is where the alcohol is broken down. The liver may become worn out from the daily task of removing alcohol from the blood; this may cause the liver to be unable to perform as well in removing other harmful substances.

One of the most dangerous diseases of the liver caused by long-term alcohol use is cirrhosis of the liver. Cirrhosis causes the liver to become inflamed and scarred, which eventually kills the liver and the person. Over fourteen thousand deaths a year from cirrhosis are directly related to alcohol.

Alcohol causes an increase in blood pressure; this makes the heart pump harder to move blood around the body. Alcohol can cause an increase in heart rate while at the same time reducing the ability of the heart muscle to pump, it can also cause abnormal heart rhythms. Long-term and heavy use of alcohol can cause a condition of the heart called alcoholic cardiomyopathy, this impairs the heart called ability to contract and eventually fail. Alcohol's action on the brain is what causes people to feel intoxicated.  

A sudden intake of large amounts of alcohol may result death, this is because nerve impulses to the brain am dangerously blocked. Alcohol also has an increasing effect on our brain chemistry, this is what causes change in behavior.