ReeHart – Blogging from the Heart

the problem of alcohol abuse and alcoholism is one of our major health and social problems, ranking along with cancer, heart disease, and mental illness. yet, emphasis on the treatment of alcoholism has been greatly neglected and does not reflect the seriousness of the problem.

in the united states of america, there are from 11 to 15 million persons addicted to alcohol. the big problem of alcoholism affects the individual, and ruins his life and others. it also affects his health, happiness, personal safety, life span, and their family relationships.

alcohol abuse takes its toll in many many forms. approximately half of the traffic deaths each year are caused by a driver or pedestrian who had been drinking. one-half of those in our jails have been booked on drinking-related charges. about one-third of the homicides are related to alcohol abuse, and of all suicides reported, about one-fourth are alcohol-related.

in the busy word of business there are billions of dollars spent each year because of alcoholism. about one-half of usa’s alcoholics are employed and lose about two or three times more workdays per year than the average employee does. these workers have about three times more of the off-job accidents than other employees do. they affect the morale and efficiency around them.

contrary to what most people think, the main majority of alcoholics are not bums. only five percent of all serious problem drinkers would fall into this area. instead, the problem drinker lives among us. he is able to live and work, but not as effectively and successfully as he could if he were not suffering from alcoholism.

these alcoholics are your co-workers, the housewives in your neighborhood, your friends, or maybe even someone you love. in this country, there are more male alcoholics than female alcoholics.

the effects of licquor on a person happen in a couple stages. in the first stage, it affects his judgement and self-control. the second stage affects, memory, speech, physical reflexes, and thinking are affected.

the third stage finds them in a daze or perhaps even a coma. excessive and abusive use of alcohol over a long period of time can result in malnutrition and severe damage to the body organs, especially the brain and liver. the shakes, can occur as the result of damage to the nervous systems.

there is no “one cause” of alcoholism. people seem to use alcohol to escape something, to relieve tension, or to help them face their problems. alcohol is also used to cover up feelings of insecurity or guilt.

in the early stages, it is hard to tell a social drinker from a problem drinker, but there are some clues. these may include things such as promises to quit drinking; frequent drinking to relieve tension; increased tolerance to alcohol; and, changes in personality.

during the middle state, the problem drinker tries to hide his drinking, and drinking in the morning is more apt to occur. also the signs of drinking are more noticeable, especially at work. the person finds it harder to feel right, or “high”, regardless of how much he drinks.

the problem drinker now drinks daily just to make it each day. once in the final stages of alcoholism, loneliness, and isolation set in. the drinker lives to drink, will neglects his health, and suffers personality changes. they are very tense, irritable and alcohol becomes one of the most important thing in their life.

their health will hit rock bottom, and physical weakness is brought on by their abuse of alcohol and the malnutrition that goes with it. the only real solution to alcoholism is for the alcoholic to totally quit drinking and never drink again!

alcoholism is a medical problem, and the a.m.a. urges hospitals and clinics to accept alcoholic patients. seeking treatment to help the alcoholic re-create his life without the use of alcohol is strongly recommended. fixing the health of the alcoholic is the first step. the second and hardest step involves the revitalization and well being of the total person.

we are dealing with a major problem–one that shows signs of steadily increasing. this disease of alcoholism is treatable and will yield to our efforts to control it. before it’s too late, we, as a nation, should work together in not only controlling alcoholism, but in preventing it as well.

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