Wait a second!
More handpicked essays just for you.
More handpicked essays just for you.
Negative effects of drinking alcohol essay
Negative impacts of alcohol
Effects of alcohol
Don’t take our word for it - see why 10 million students trust us with their essay needs.
Recommended: Negative effects of drinking alcohol essay
“I am not an alcoholic. I just drink every day,” was my favorite comeback phrase whenever someone tried to point out my drinking habit. Because I loved drinking so much that I did not even think drinking was a bad thing. Drinking was part of my life style until the day I had to make a decision to live without assuming alcohol for the rest of my life. After drinking over twenty years, refraining from alcohol was the most difficult challenge I had faced. I decided to quit drinking because of my serious health issues, financial hardship, and psychological problems, and consequently, I have achieved tremendous outcomes after I stopped drinking. The first reason I had to give up my drinking habit was my health problems. After many years of drinking, I had become a heavy drinker, and I consumed a large amount of liquor in a very short time. For example, I drank one liter of whisky in less than five hours. I only ate small amount of food while I was drinking because after I had had two or three drinks, I lost my appetite. I was not eating regularly, and I was suffering from stomach pain frequently. I noticed myself losing weight and feeling fatigue most of the time. I also experienced insomnia when I did not drink, so I had to drink to fall asleep. In addition, I had a bigger health issue which was a damage of my liver. One day, after I had finished the whole 750ml of Jack Daniel’s whisky bottle in about two hours, I threw up terribly. I had noticed that there were some blood in my vomit before I passed out on the bathroom floor. The next day, I went to see a doctor because I was frightened after vomiting blood. The doctor examined my abdomen and found out my liver was enlarged. My blood was also drawn out for diagnosis. When my blood t... ... middle of paper ... ..., my school, and my career intensely. I have become a lot more productive at my work, and my grades at school has been improved. I can clearly see what I want to do with my life, and I have gained great energy, dedication, and concentration to build up my career. In conclusion, quitting alcohol was one of the best decisions I have made in my life. I am proud of myself that I have overcome an alcohol addiction for good. I used to think that life would not be exciting without drinking, but I now understand that I do not have to drink to enjoy my life. After I stopped drinking, I have positive outcomes such as improvement of my health, able to save money, and stronger self-esteem. I am happy that I had made an important decision which has huge impact in my life. I will stick to my decision for the rest of my life, and I will never go back to an alcoholic life again.
Today, one out of every thirteen adults abuse alcohol or are alcoholics. That means nearly thirteen million Americans have a drinking problem. (www.niaaa.nih.gov) This topic offers a broad range of ideas to be researched within the psychological field. For this particular project, the topic of alcoholism and the psychological effects on people best fit the criteria. Alcoholism is defined as a disorder characterized by the excessive consumption of and dependence on alcoholic beverages, leading to physical and psychological harm and impaired social and vocational functioning. (www.dictionary.com) Through this project, the most important information regarding personal experiences dealing with alcoholism will be revealed. Not only are statistics, like the facts mentioned before, important when dealing with an issue such as alcoholism, but personal accounts and information are often more powerful and influential evidence. Non-alcoholics should be allowed to attend Alcoholics Anonymous meetings for research purposes.
Most people think of alcoholics of being part of the homeless population or of lower class. I learned that anyone can be an alcoholic, even nurses and doctors. In an Ohio survey regarding addiction as a disease, the results of the survey found that statewide 59% think that an alcohol or drug addiction is a disease and 43% believe that alcoholism or addiction is a weakness (Ohio Survey, 2010, p. 7-8). However, these two believed facts are wrong; Alcoholism is a disease and not a weakness. I think by understanding this and that alcoholism is a disease that is not easily controllable, I am accepting to those struggling with alcoholism and inspired by those that choose a life of sobriety. Those suffering from alcoholism and are able to overcome the cravings and disease are some of the strongest people I know. Attending this meeting has been a life-changing experience that has impacted my personally and my future practice as a nurse. I hope to be a nurse that is more accepting, open-minded, and judgment-free to everyone, despite my morals, beliefs, and societal
Overcoming an addiction to alcohol can be a long and bumpy road. Many people feel that it is impossible to overcome an alcohol addiction. Many people feel that is it easier to be an addict than to be a recovering addict. However, recovering from alcoholism is possible if one is ready to seek the help and support they need on their road to recovery. Recovery is taking the time to regain one’s normal mind, health and strength. Recovery is process. It takes time to stop the alcohol cravings and pressure to drink. For most, rehab and professional help is needed, while others can stop drinking on their own. Recovery never ends. After rehab, professional help or quitting on your own, many people still need help staying sober. A lot of time, recovering
...hool and work and life in general. I did not strive to do my best in high school and especially my dual enrollment classes. I was not ever thinking about my future and started not coming to classes. Once I accepted God in my life Junior Summer, all that changed. I realized I was on a negative path and God helped me turn my life around. Senior year is going wonderful so far, my grades are the best they have ever been and I am busy as ever with work, school, church, and volunteer work. I love it this way, I believe staying busy requires me to stay on task and get a lot done, that is the lifestyle I have to take to college. Although that bad patch in high school lowered my grades and performance, making it more difficult to get into college, I am thankful it happened so I could learn from it before heading off to a new chapter in my life, hopefully at Auburn University!
The second thing that made me want to get sober was the realization that I couldn't control my drinking-it had become a mental and physical obsession. Since my first drink at the age of twelve I couldn't go a day without a drink, and I could never have just one. By the age of seventeen I was used to drinking a case and a half of beer a day, and for the next two years I lived in a drunken fog. I could not go to school, work, or anywhere else outside my front door without a drink or the promise of one. I finally realized something had to be done when I couldn't get a drink one day and swallowing my own spit made me violently sick. I was forced to drink NyQuil to keep from throwing up because it was the only alcohol in the house.
“Beyond Hangovers: Understanding Alcohol's Impact Your Health.” Bethesda, MD: U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, 2010. Print.
Despite the dominance and prevalence of abstinence-focused treatment, there is an increasing interest in treatment alternatives that emphasize goals other than abstinence. The interventions include controlled drinking, based on harm reduction and moderation management philosophy. This approach emphasizes the notion that dangerous and excessive use of alcohol or other addictive substances can be changed and reduced to modest consumption.
Frey and Schonbeck explain that it is estimated that over 76 million people worldwide are affected by alcohol abuse or dependence. The chance of having an alcoholic in one’s life is very high. Children that grow up in an environment with an alcoholic may increase that child’s chance of becoming an alcoholic themselves. In the United States, the most commonly abused drug among youth is alcohol. Even though the legal drinking age is 21, nearly 20% of all alcohol consumed in the United States is by people under the legal age (83). In fact, when youth start drinking at social events in their teenage years, they are greatly increasing their risk of developing alcohol problems (85). Alcoholism can affect people of all ages. Furthermore, some experts try to differentiate between alcoholics and social drinkers. Typically, they base this off of five categories. Social drinkers do not drink alone. They consume minimal amounts of alcohol during social functions. Situational drinkers may not ever drink unless they are stressed out. These drinkers are more likely to drink by themselves. Problem drinkers can be described as a drinker that alcohol has caused problems in their life. However, they usually respond to advice given by others. Binge drinkers are out of control in their alcohol consumption. They may drink until they pass out or worse. Alcoholic drinkers have found that their lives have become unmanageable and that they are completely powerless over alcohol (84). Alcoholics should be cautious of their surroundings to prevent
Increased abuse of alcohol leads to physical damage to the body. Alcohol is absorbed directly into the brain, dulling one’s senses and weakling one's will power. According to the article from the Mayo Clinic Health Information, “Excessive use of alcohol can produce several harmful effects on your brain and nervous system. It also can severely damage your liver, pancreas and cardiovascular system. Alcohol use in pregnant women can damage the fetus” (Mayo 1). Continued ingestion of alcohol affects every organ in the body. Every organ in the body is affected. The liver has serious effects that may lead to cirrhosis and death.. At first the liver adapts and tolerates alcohol. It works harder and finally damages itself in time. Alcohol leads the liver to the inability to metabolize facts. Furthermore, it leads to increase in cholesterol and triglycerides leading to clogged arteries. Red blood cells are also affected leading the individual to become anemic.
Drinking alcohol is associated with many adverse health problems in the short and long-term. These include cancer, stroke, heart disease, miscarriage, premature birth and unintentional injuries. Despite the fact that alcohol brings many negative impacts, many people still choose to drink and do not overcome their drinking habit. They have been successfully seduced by alcohol until drinking has become their addiction. However, some of them try to quit drinking, but they still cannot break the addiction. Basically, quitting alcohol is difficult and almost impossible for them because of brain-craving, lack of belief and support, and weak willpower.
My biggest deterrent to well-rounded healthy lifestyle is my occasional drinking. I don’t think I personally live up to
Alcoholism is a disease that affects many people in the United States today. It not only affects the alcoholic, but also their family, friends, co-workers, and eventually total strangers. The symptoms are many, as are the causes and the effects.
My dad finally made the decision to go to rehab. I was reluctant to believe him at the time, because before he had gone at least two weeks sober. I refused to believe that just a week of rehab could do the trick. The only difference between the other times he was “sober” was Jesus Christ. For once in my life I could finally breathe.
I was able to overcome many problems and challenge myself in different aspects. At the very beginning of the year, I was very sensitive and having a bad experience meant a bad life to me. Later on, I started to realize what I am doing in school, and why I am here… I understood that life without ups and downs means you're died.
..., cancer, liver and pancreas disease etc. There are many factors why do people drink, such as: make friends, forget problems, to feel happy, to relax, to feel less anxious, to feel confident and the genes, in my opinion play the key role in this problem. Some people don’t realize that this is a big deal, the big problem until it’s late. Once someone tried alcohol and become dependent it is hard to realize that person needs help to stop it. Also drinking alcohol is closely linked with use of other drugs, legal and illegal. Smoking, drinking and drug taking often co-exist. I chose this article to review because I think it has good examples to show people what causes alcohol dependence and what conditions one can get if drinking alcohol often. People need to remember that we live ones and it is important to keep ourselves healthy and none of bad habits worth our life.