Search:

Alcoholism: When your habit takes over your life and home

From weddings to boardroom conferences there is barely a social gathering that doesn't warrant the casual drink or two, as a means of rejuvenation or social bonding. Consumption of alcohol is widely accepted, if not encouraged, by many societies all over the world. But this seemingly harmless drink, which is often a pleasant addition to a great evening of relaxation, does have a dark and vicious side to it. Enslaved by the temporary 'high' that alcohol grants them, many individuals begin to rely on alcohol as a means to handle stress and unwind after a long, hard day. And with every drink that he reaches out for, either as a habit he is accustomed to, or as an escape from his tensions, he draws closer and closer to falling prey to the vicious disease of alcoholism.

Alcoholism is one of the most difficult of all diseases to detect and diagnose, as the victim himself is unaware of how grave his addiction is. This is further complicated by the fact that people around him tend to overlook his addiction as a mere indulgence that can easily be dealt with, if he simply makes up his mind to put an end to it. And thus, the victim keeps deceiving himself until his addiction gets the better of him and causes terrifying consequences. Alcohol is directly responsible for a host of physical complications, which, over the course of time, also affect the individual's social interactions and gradually but steadily, the society and even the economic growth and development of the country.

Excessive consumption of alcohol claims its stake on the victim's body, inflicting him with a multitude of physical illnesses like heart and liver disorders. Needless to say, his performance at work is affected which, over time impairs the functioning of the organization and thus hindering the progress of the economy which the organization is a part of.

The loss on income on account of impaired performance at the workplace is further compounded by the expenditure the individual incurs on fueling his addiction which in turn affects the well-being of his family. The stress that the individual is looking to escape is aggravated by marital discord and feelings of financial insecurity, which in most cases, lead him to drink even more to block out these factors. And alcohol being a depressant itself, the individual is drawn deeper into the vicious cycle that his addiction creates, where he drinks more and more to deal with the depression that alcohol is causing him.

Conventionally, society has little patience with victims of alcohol abuse as, instead of recognizing it as the disease it is, the alcoholic viewed as a weak-spirited individual who is unable to resist, what seems to them, a mere indulgence. This plunges the victim into despair and brings about low self-esteem. Alcohol also interferes with the functioning of the brain and the nervous system, aggravating the victim's depression until it develops into more severe conditions like schizophrenia and paranoia. Alcohol addiction also makes an individual more susceptible to other types of substance abuse, which further complicate the problems alcoholism itself is accountable for.

Children, who come from families where either or both parents suffer from alcohol addiction, also tend to be at a heightened risk of depression, which can begin from their early childhood in the form of uncontrollable crying, bedwetting and nightmares. As they grow older, they are also likely to be very extreme in their behavior, which can either mean that they will be very rebellious and delinquent, or conversely, obsess about their grades, be increasingly submissive and self-conscious and are also more likely to develop phobias. These children also suffer a very lonely childhood, having no one to speak to about their fears and even convince themselves that they are failures, despite their best efforts to prove otherwise.

Alcohol abuse has become increasingly prevalent with the changing times and the ever increasing burden of stress it encumbers people with. In such circumstances, taking to the bottle as temporary relief may seem to be a viable solution, but on closer inspection, is it really such a wise decision? Can you afford to sacrifice not only your health and well-being, but also that of your family and those you care about, all for the sake of a few minutes of relief that alcohol grants you? Stop drinking today and open your doors to a world of opportunities that await you, every step of the way.

Article Source: http://www.articles.com.mx

Drinking Causes problems. Having the right information and the right connections can truly make a difference. Start finding up Myths about Alcohol for Teens.

Please Rate this Article

Not yet Rated