Alcholism

3 Pages 760 Words

Alcohol abuse is a problem that seems to affect a large proportion of the population. This disease does not discriminate by color or sex. It only preys on those who choose to play Russian roulette and succumb themselves physically and emotionally. Those who feel that they can tempt the bottle without being bitten sometimes are not lucky enough to break away. Many times, those who are unfortunate enough to break their ties from alcohol abuse leave their next of kin with the same temptation.

We are brought up to look forward to drinking alcohol. In which it is a problem that is socially overrated. It is a growing fad that is glorified and socially manipulated. From the beginning of birth, we have been brought up to think that drinking allows us to have a good time. Unfortunately, we are not taught that there are consequences of this so-called glamorous lifestyle.

It has been noted that “alcoholism is genetic….45% of alcoholism is caused by genetics, 60% by factors that we do not understand.” (Alcoholism Treatment, Dr. Robert R. Perkinson, URL: www .alcoholismtreatment.org). For example, “two identical twins are split at birth and raised in two different areas of the world. If one becomes an alcoholic, it is 40% likely that the other twin will also become an alcoholic.” (Alcoholism Treatment, Dr. Robert R. Perkinson, URL: www.alcoholismtreatment.org).

Those who live with an alcoholic or have an alcoholic in their family are affected as well. These people tend to see drinking as a way to cope with problems, or believe that the abuse of alcohol is okay. These learned behaviors become a pattern that is repeated. It has been reported that “43% of U.S. adults have been exposed to alcoholism in the family: they grew up with, married an alcoholic, problem drinker, or had a blood relative who was ever an alcoholic or problem drinker.” (National Center For Health Statistics {NCHS}, Advance Data, USDHHS, No. 205...