The Horror of Alcoholism

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The Horror of Alcoholism

Alcoholism is a baffling and powerful disease. It affects all people from all walks of life. It has been medically proven and recognized by most of society as a disease. However, for some people who either have not been affected or just do not have any knowledge of the disease, it is considered more as a weakness of character. Alcoholism has many effects, on the alcoholic them self, towards their family and friends, and on their health, on their spouse and children, mentally and physically, but the good thing is there is help out there for all of these people.

Alcohol is the most widely used and abused drug in the U.S. today. It is found in all beers, wines, and whiskeys. The alcohol in all these drinks is the same, only the percentage of alcohol and the flavor of the drinks are different. From a chemist point of view, alcohol would be seen as ethyl alcohol or ethanol (Berger 17).

Alcoholism is a condition in which individuals drink alcohol regularly and to excess. They continue to drink alcohol even thought this results in serious harm to their physical and mental health (Berger 11). Alcoholics are compulsive drinkers, individuals who cannot keep their drinking under control. Alcoholics intend to have only one or two drinks, but find it impossible to stop and end up drinking more. Once the start, alcoholics will almost always drink themselves to drunkenness (Berger 19).

"Alcoholism does not necessarily mean getting drunk every day" (Berger 11). The American Medical Association states:

Alcoholism is a disease that can be arrested but not

cured. One of the symptoms is an uncontrollable desire

to drink. Alcoholism is a progressive disease. As long
...

... middle of paper ...

...cember 1997. CD-ROM.

Outline

Thesis Statement: Alcoholism has many effects, on the alcoholic them self, towards their family and friends, and on their health, on their spouse and children, mentally and physically, but the good thing is there is help out there for all of these people.

I. Introduction

A. Hook

B. Thesis

II. Alcoholic

A. Effects of the alcoholic

1. Towards family

2. Towards friends

B. Effects on health

III. Family

A. Effects on spouse

1. Mentally

2. Physically

B. Effects on children

1. Mentally

2. Physically

IV. Help

A. For the alcoholic

B. For the spouse

C. For the children

V. Conclusion

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