Essay by 50College, UndergraduateA-, November 2008

download word file, 8 pages 0.0

The DiseaseAlcoholism has many causes but its effects are most devastating and they include cancers, mental illnesses, and many family problems. Alcoholism is a disease with cravings as strong as the need for food and water (Wisconsin, 2007). It is a lifetime disease that follows a predictable course with symptoms (Straight Talk). A ÃÂtypicalÃÂ alcoholic is depicted as a ÃÂskid row drunkÃÂ , a ÃÂhomeless tattered shadowÃÂ on the freeway on ramp or begging for coins on the street (Alcoholism Information). Alcoholism affects millions, but given less empathy as other mental disorders, that is depression, autism or AlzheimerÃÂs (Wisconsin, 2007). It is not about moral weakness of personal choice; it is about physical allergy coupled with a mental obsession so great that there is a total loss of choice in whether one will drink (Alcoholism Information).

Alcoholism is a progressive disease going from bad to worse. People who drink moderately (women: 1 drink per day, men: 2 drinks per day) are less likely to die of heart disease (Straight Talk), but then again alcohol is the number one abused drug in the United States .

Over 13% of American adults will or have experienced alcohol abuse or dependency in their lifetime (Alcoholism Overview), there is a greater amount of alcoholism in the young adults between ages 18 and 29 and less among adults ages 65 and up (Straight Talk).

About fourteen million people in the United States, or one out of thirteen adultÃÂs abuse alcohol or are an alcoholic, and this is more likely among men than women. Better than one half of all adults with a family history of alcoholism or alcohol abuse, and greater than nine million children live with a parent depending on drugs or alcohol (Straight Talk). Alcohol...