Drinking Alcohol
The harm of drinking alcohol
The consumption of alcohol at any age can lead to life long dependencies andhealth problems. Drinking is more common among men than women, however the gap isclosing very steadily. Drinking is more common among persons under 40 and due to the changes in society we drink more at home, get together, restaurants and clubs. Althoughmany drinkers will say they do not have a problem, researchers into the short and longterm effects can prove them wrong. There are several levels of alcohol abuse, you haveyour strict social drinker, your binge drinker and your alcoholic, as well as drinkers all inbetween.
The legal age to purchase alcohol is 21. An alcoholic beverage is any liquidcontaining grain alcohol. Beer, wine, wine coolers,champagne, whiskey, brandy andliqueur are the basic types of drinking alcohol.
Unlike many addictive drugs, alcohol is legal. The drinking of alcohol has beenintegrated into our society as a form of celebration. We toast weddings, banquet socialoccasions with alcohol. We serve alcohol at holidays as well as any time we feel a drinkis in order. We use alcohol as an ice breaker and a means to get acquainted with “have adrinker “can I buy you a drink” invitations. Alcohol tends to make people morecomfortable in social settings and around strangers under age drinking is a huge problemthat cannot be controlled by law enforcement alone because of parents, friends andstrangers willing to purchase and condone the abuse.
Alcoholism is defined by ones overwhelming need or desire to consume alcoholon a regular basis. Someone who drinks regularly with no regard for themselves or peoplearound them is by all rights an alcoholic. These persons will hide their drinking lie aboutit and deny any problems. Eventually most alcoholics are confronted by their friends orfamily members. Most alcoholics can not admit when sober that there is a huge problem. Any will put through blame on many family members who they saw drinking as a sourceof their problem. However I believe drinking is a choice not a given. There are thousandsof treatment centers designed just for alcohol related dependencies. Also there are supportgroups for the alcoholic and family members to try to help them recognize there problemand fight their desire daily. As with any addictions once the addict has admitted to the problem then they need constant support from all of those close to them.
Contrary to what many people believe alcohol is a depressant. Alcohol slowsdown your body functions, impairs your speech and coordination, lowers your inhibitionsand can cause your judgment to be off. You are more likely to “Act a fool” or put yourselfand others in danger while under the influence. Many health problems can arise even withmoderate use of alcohol. Do to the decrease of your reflections even a social drinker canhave an accident plus every drinker runs the risk of liver and kidney problems as well asbrain damage. The ultimate problem with alcohol abuse is the risk of death.
Because it is socially accepted drinking is considered the “in thing to do.” Youshould make yourself aware of the risk and always have a designated driver.