Alcoholic drinks are common in many households around the country. Although alcohol may have some health benefits, its excessive consumption is detrimental. Alcohol dependency is one of the leading causes of financial indiscipline among many professionals. Over the past years, many families have spent hundreds of thousands in alcohol treatment for addicted members. These funds could be used to improve their living standards if alcoholism was avoided. Studies indicate that over 29% of the people in the United States are battling alcoholism.
Effects of Alcoholism
Alcohol has many negative effects on individuals and society in general. They include:
- Financial losses-Alcoholic drinks are costly. When one becomes dependent on alcohol, they spend more money than they have to satisfy the urge to drink. People are rendered unproductive, leading to unemployment. The inability to secure a job due to alcoholism causes a lack of basic needs such as housing.
- Social disconnect-Alcoholism is the leading cause of many breakups in many homes and families. The impaired judgment caused by alcohol leads to violent and irrational behavior. Families with alcoholic members are subject to ridicule and segregation by the societies in which they live. The social disconnect could lead to depression and even suicide when not addressed properly.
- Health impacts-Many alcohol brands display the line “excessive consumption is harmful to your health.” There are many health impacts related to alcohol. These include cancer and liver cirrhosis. Alcoholics develop bad eating habits, which could lead to lifestyle diseases such as diabetes and obesity. Additionally, excessive alcohol consumption damages the brain and the nervous system. This renders people unproductive and, in worst cases, leads to death.
- Economic problems-The youth are considered the future of nations. When the youth are engaged in excessive alcohol consumption, their productivity is reduced. As a result, the country’s future is put at stake. Alcoholism among individuals within the working-age slows down development and implementation of policies. Alcohol discourages constructive contributions to discussions of national interest.
There are many more adverse impacts of alcohol. In most cases, those who are not directly involved in alcoholism are indirectly affected. As stated earlier, alcoholism encourages violence and crime, leading to loss of life and property.
What Causes Increased Alcoholism?
Alcoholism has become increasingly popular over the past few years. Several factors contribute to the increase in irresponsible alcohol consumption. The leading aspect is peer pressure; alcoholic beverages are popularized and seen as classy. The urge to fit in and be like the rest leads people to consume highly popularized alcohol brands. Continued consumption leads to dependency, and adverse impacts follow thereafter. Stress and depression are other major causes of alcoholism. The inability to open up about certain issues forces people to turn to alcoholism. People drink to forget their problems if they can’t find solutions. The continued existence of the problem makes them continue drinking with the hope of getting rid of it.
Embracing those affected by alcoholism is one of the ways to end alcoholism in societies. Essential conversations about depression and mental health should be encouraged.
