Alcoholism and Its Effects: Craig Ferguson

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“Alcohol ruined me financially and morally, broke my heart and the hearts of too many others,” wrote comedian Craig Ferguson, in his book American on Purpose: The Improbable Adventures of An Unlikely Patriot. Alcohol consumption is a learned behavior - no one enjoys the taste of alcohol at first. People drink out of curiosity, out of custom (toasting the newlyweds), or to elude unpleasant feelings. However, out of constant drinking comes alcoholism: a term to describe the disease formed by the continuous misuse of alcohol. Although it is considered a disease, it is specifically an addictive illness (Benton). Those affected by alcoholism range wider than just the person who has developed it. Thus, persons with alcoholism are a detriment in today’s society by not only damaging their own bodies, but also martyring their families mentally and physically.
It can be troublesome to recover from alcoholism, for it is a chronic and progressive disease. It does not go away with time and it does not improve as long as one continues to drink. Thus meaning, this diseased person would not be able to function normally in society. Various factors can influence the risk of the disease, including social surroundings, stress, mental health, family history, age, and gender (Rehm 135). Symptoms begin with an constant alcohol intake that interferes with work and family life. From this comes various physical and mental damage, which can result in harmful situations.
Physical limitations include impaired vision, distorted hearing, muddled speech, dulled senses, disturbed motor skills, and shaking uncontrollably (Muha 68). With such problems, comes the realization that those with alcoholism, usually labeled ‘alcoholics,’ cannot work efficien...

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...aig. American on Purpose: The Improbable Adventures of an Unlikely Patriot. N.p.: Harpercollins, 2009. N. pag. American on Purpose: The Improbable Adventures of an Unlikely Patriot. Goodreads. Web. 20 Jan. 2014.
Muha, Laura. "Exploring The Mystery Of Alcoholism: Dr. Betsy Mccaul." Biography 4.2 (2000): 68. MAS Ultra - School Edition. Web. 20 Jan. 2014.
Foroud, TatianaPhillips, Tamara J. "Assessing The Genetic Risk For Alcohol Use Disorders." Alcohol Research: Current Reviews 34.3 (2012): 266. MAS Ultra - School Edition. Web. 27 Jan. 2014.
Jacob, PH.D, Theodore, and Sheri Johnson, PH.D. "Parenting Influences on the Development of Alcohol Abuse and Dependence." NIAAA Publications. N.p., 1997. Web. 12 Dec. 2013.
Rehm, Jürgen. "The Risks Associated With Alcohol Use And Alcoholism." Alcohol Research & Health 34.2 (2011): 135. MAS Ultra - School Edition. Web. 27 Jan. 2014.

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