Alcoholism Is A Disease That Faces Uncertain Cure

Alcohol is the oldest and most abused drug in the world with approximated third of the world population of 12 years and above believed to be consumers of alcohol. Gifford (2010) notes that the number of alcoholic and problem drinkers continues to increase with five per cent of deaths in the world such as accidents, crime and violence attributed to alcohol. Men constitute more than 80 percent of alcohol abusers with the number continually increasing due to peer pressure and influence (Alterman, 2008). Many preventive and curative measures have been adopted to reduce the consumption of alcoholic substances but the fight hasn’t been promising. Many young people indulge in alcoholism even without stable sources of income, a problem that presents challenges in eradication of alcoholism.

Prentiss (2010) indicates that alcoholic abuse has many dangers apart from risks of death resulting from induced death, violence or injury. Alcohol is a source of many physical and mental disorders such as neurological disorders which result in reduced vision, poor body coordination, memory blackouts and a resulting brain damage. Beer, wine and alcohol, which are the three main types of alcoholic drinks, affects the brain cells due to their stimulant that induces fake feelings leading to impair judgments, self-consciousness and unnecessary excitement (O’Malley, 2006). Alcohol consumption also causes cardio logical problems such as increased blood pressure, stroke and heart failure. Respiratory problems like lung diseases, respiratory failure, tuberculosis, and throat and mouth cancer are results of alcohol consumption. Liver disease which comes second after alcohol-induced accidents in claiming lives is caused by continued chronic alcohol abuse. Furthermore, alcoholism leads to poor personal management especially mismanagement of resources and family affairs for parents. Alcoholism is therefore a continued chronic abuse of alcoholic substances that leads to addiction leading to increased tolerance thus abusers are forced to take great amounts to satisfy their desired alcoholic effects.

Alcoholism thrives in a setting where appropriate awareness of the effects of the alcoholic substances is lacking. Lack of proper understanding about alcoholism and how to deal with it stimulate the practice causing innocent suffering to all people who take alcohol. Prevention of alcoholism can be the best cure that ensures that individuals are enlightened on the effects that come with abusing alcohol and other drugs. However, once alcoholism is not prevented, alcoholics must be recognized and appropriate recovery programs initiated before addiction.

The future of curbing alcoholism and alcohol abuse is not promising. This is due to the failure of many strategies that have been initiated to ensure that young people do not indulge in alcoholism. Though many governments, churches and non-governmental organizations still strain to control alcohol abuse, their efforts are yet to bear recognizable fruits. Many victims of alcoholism break out of alcoholism when the damage is already done and no possibility of going back to life of sobriety.

While alcohol has had many adverse effects to abusers, many communities have used it to identify themselves in the world of cultural practices. Alcohol and alcohol addicts have been used in many western countries to support cultural ideals. Many scientists have termed alcoholism as “a disease that can be arrested but not cured” because the cure lies with the abuse since freedom to entertainment is guaranteed in many constitutions (Alterman, 2008). Alcoholism is therefore an issue that faces unclear existence since beer and other legal alcoholic substances are sources of income for a country while being agents of physical, social and moral pollution.

REFERENCES

Alterman, R. 2008. A Look to the Future of Alcoholism Treatment. Cheston: Lachance Publishing.

Gifford, M. 2010. Alcoholism. New York: Greenwood Publishing House.

O’Malley, A. 2006.The Cure for Alcoholism. Charleston: Biblio Bazaar Reproduction.

Prentiss, C. 2010. The Alcoholism and Addiction Cure. London: Duncan Baird Publishers.