Alcohol Abuse
Like marijuana, alcohol abuse has behavioral, cognitive, and physical side effects. The difference between the two is that the adverse effects of alcohol consumption are more widely known, and usually more severe than those associated with marijuana use and abuse.
According to the results of recent studies, approximately 44 percent of the United States adult population consumed at least 12 drinks in the previous year. An estimated 14 million Americans abuse alcohol (7.4 percent of the population), and more than one-half of American adults has or has had a family member who suffers from alcoholism. Paper Masters can compose a custom written research paper on alcohol abuse that follows your guidelines.
Alcohol Abuse
Affects The Body
Studies have confirmed that alcohol abuse affects vital organs in the body and causes:
- Cardiovascular diseases
- Liver cirrhosis
- Fetal abnormalities.
Alcohol consumption has been positively linked to:
- Automobile collisions
- Low worker productivity levels
- Violence
- Poor school performance
- Troubled family relationships
Alcohol abuse has also been positively linked to ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes and hypertension. Alcohol has been linked to a number of cancers, including:
- breast cancer
- cancers of the head and neck
- Cancers of the digestive tract
Other studies have confirmed that moderate alcohol consumption is linked to a lower risk of coronary heart disease.
Alcohol Consumption
According to The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, alcohol consumption on a social level is closely correlated with stress reduction, mood elevation, increased sociability and relaxation. However, those who are dependent on alcohol may experience more stress and psychological distress. Additionally, alcohol dependence increases the risk for all types of affective and anxiety disorders. Those who are alcohol dependent are far more likely to have mental disorders than those who simply abuse alcohol.
Even moderate drinking affects the individual's ability to perform cognitive tasks such as remembering, thinking, and reasoning. The effects on motor skills are pronounced, and intoxicated individuals have a hard time performing even simple tasks such as walking, talking, and driving a motor vehicle. As the quantities of alcohol consumption increase, so too, do the individual's risks of injury.