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Tayler Walker

Instructor: Malcolm Campbell

English 1104

march 30,2018

Are those drinking the only ones who are suffering? ?

Could drinking save your life? Tthere is a team of researchers according to the to Jamie

Ducharme, author of a TIME's article that explores the latest research in alcohol abuse “TIMES”

article, that believe that moderate use of alcohol could extend your lifespan and have beneficial

health effects. There have been many studies done trying to prove the belief that moderate use of

alcohol could extend your lifespan and have beneficial health effects his, however there is

overwhelming evidence that this is in fact not the case. When anyone casually drinks ttheir body

hey will undergo feel changes effects that the alcohol has on the brain and body such as the

common ones of Slurred speech, Drowsiness, Vomiting, and headaches. Even if they don’t feel

them instantly or there one of those who “isn’t a light weight” it’s still happening in side their

body. However, the Ffoundation Ffor Aa Ddrug Ffree world points out that when alcohol is in

your system it can also cause Breathing difficulties, Distorted vision and hearing, Impaired

judgment, decreased perception and coordination, Unconsciousness, Anemia (loss of red blood

cells), Coma, Blackouts (memory lapses, where the drinker cannot remember events that

occurred while under the influence).

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When someone becomes a habitual drinker, they use a large amount of intoxicating drink

without being able to control their desires for itit. canThis can lead to many larger problems

from anything regarding their health to their livelihood and even their family life.

After a person has become physically and mentally dependent on alcohol addictedor,

addicted to drinking alcohol, or has turned into a binge drinker, someone who consumes

excessive amount of alcohol in a short period of theytime. They have already started to

deteriorate their own health, causing their vital organs and body systems to break down. Along

with the generic health issues that are commonly known to come along with alcohol abuse,.

tThere are many other health related issues that can present themselves which are explained in

the article, “The Truth About Alcohol” such as, Alcohol poisoning ,High blood pressure, stroke,

and other heart-related diseases ,Liver disease, Nerve damage, Sexual problems, Permanent

damage to the brain ,Vitamin B1 deficiency, which can lead to a disorder characterized by

amnesia, apathy and disorientation, Ulcers ,Gastritis (inflammation of stomach walls)

,Malnutrition , and Cancer of the mouth and throat, and the list goes on . Being around a habitual

drinker on a regular basies it is very clear to see the physical effects it has on theirere body’s

health.

The effects of alcohol can lead to a downward path to one's career. The nNegative

behavior that comes with alcohol abuse can destroy the livelihood of an individual, and from

time to time it may result in the loss of one’s occupation too as explained in the” Hhealth

Gguidance Ffor Bbetter Hhealth”. Working while under the influence of alcohol more often than

not changes people, both mentally and physically. Frequently the symptoms of alcohol use cause

people to make decisions or do things that they wouldn’t otherwise do. They are much more
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likely to be prone to accidents in their workplace, which leads to having to take time off and the

company at a loss. It changes the way a person thinks and it becomes very difficult to

concentrate on whatever the person is doing. The mind fails to make good judgments and the

depth of perception is lost. Bad performance by employees that are under the influence or are a

historical alcoholic off the job are more likely to lead to a poor evaluation performance, there

fore hindering their opportunities for personal growth within the company. Because of alcohol,

one may suffer from withdrawals and experience dizziness, nausea, severe headaches and high

blood pressure. These may even happen in the workplace and will negatively affect the

employees’ productivity. This behavior will continue leading to irresponsible decisions about

financial matters in your personal life and also at work.

Alcohol has a direct correlation with making poor decisions. When alcohol is consumed

it is known to inhibit decision making processes with in the brain as the website “Qquit Aalcohol

points out” points out. Mmany times, when people drink the main bad choices that many are

aware of is drinking and driving which can lead to death of yourself or others or even legal

trouble resulting in DUI and/ or DWI. Wwhen you are charged as a first offender it will be

charged as a misdemeanor offense, which will result in fines, community service, license

suspension, and possible probation. However, that is the minimum for a first offence, other

factors can change the severity of the charge resulting in enhanced sentences or penalties. Evan

with being charged with just your first DUI it can cost you into the upwards of 10,000, dollars.

And if the poor decisions continue the penalties increase as well as the expenses.

Over drinking can even cause poor decisions when coming to one's family. The article

from “drugs. i.e. drug and alcohol information and support “said it best that, Alcoholism is a

disease that can weigh heavily on the whole family. if a parent in the household is abusing
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alcohol it can have a major effect on everyone living there from the spouse to the kids and it can

even spread into problems with the extended family.

Many times, when a spouse is caught in a situation of dealing with the others addiction

they can get very overwhelmed because they start to feel like they have to take on the role of

both parents. As a spouse there is a feeling of loneliness, internal conflict and stress which can

lead to a tense and rocky relationship. When a partner wants to help the other with their addiction

it becomes very difficult to keep the line between helping them with their addiction very clear

from enabling them to maintain the addiction.

Children in the household often experience a similar feeling of being overwhelmed with

the need to step up in to an adult role and fill the space that is made when a parent in overly

dependent on alcohol. There are four main roles that children of theses home lives fell that they

fall in to. The Family Hero role is often taken on by the oldest child in the family. They are

normally the responsible one, works hard for approval, and often appears successful. However

inside, this person often feels insecure, as if things are always going to go wrong, and feels

incompetent, confused and angry. The Scapegoat Is the person that feels blamed when things go

wrong. The family focuses on this person’s faults, which provides the family with a distraction

from the real problem. this person is often times the more rebellious, troublesome, law-breaking,

tough. The is the one who is most likely to be at risk of misusing drugs and alcohol as they get

older. But on the Inside, this person is often full of fear, hurt, rejection and loneliness, feeling

angry at the unfairness of how they are treated. The Lost Child Is the son or daughter that

appears to be a dreamer, Problems and troubles that bother others, this child floats above.

however inside, the person is not as content as they appear. They are quietly hurt, angry, lonely

with a feeling of being inadequate. The Mascot Is Sometimes also referred to as the clown, the
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kid in this role is often charming and cute, fun to be with, quick to make a joke. Sometimes they

are quite hyper-active and bounce from one thing to another; sometimes they are quite fragile

and easily hurt. However, they are good at hiding their emotions, and feelings of loneliness,

insecurity, fear and low self-esteem. The first step to putting things right is the same as for the

children and Partner, they both need to be able to step back and take time for themselves, talk to

a friend or a counsellor.

Growing up in a house hold where this behavior was present I can Definitydefinitely see

some of these characteristics in myself and my siblings. For instance, my oldest brother tended to

exhibit behavior of the scapegoat when he was younger he often times was the rebellious, trouble

maker. However, as he grew up he has now turned in to more of the hearo personality since he is

much older then my other brother and I. Mmy other brother often times appears to have may

similarity’s as the lost child. He tries not to let things get to him and tries to ignore the situation

although he doses also have similar characteristics as the scapegoat. SSometimes he will be

rebellious and take a stand agents certain thing to make a point. Within myself I tend to feel as if

I am much like the lost child and the mascot. While growing up and being the youngest I was not

fully aware of what was going on for the majority of my child hood but as I began to understand

wheat was taking place I tried to ignore it and always gave the benefit of the doubt. As I was

growing up, out off all three of us I tended to be more of the out goingoutgoing hyper active one,

I was rather witty and was always ready to put on a show. This kind of environment most

definitely has a large impact on my mother as well she has always done everything she could to

play interference when things started to get worse. She is constantly trying to deter the amount of

drinking that is done, she will never complain or vent to us because she doesn’t want us to feel

that my fathersfather’s issue is our are burden to bare and that itsit’s ourare job to fix it.
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However, it is very clear that it is definitely starting to take a tole on her in very way. She has

always done everything for everyone and she enjoys it but now that wethat we are all out of the

house and itsit’s just the towo of them she has no escape to just get away to be by herself , and

the relationship has now turned in to a completely depending relationship opposed to a

codependent relationship.

There are many reasons why a person picks up their first drink and why they can't stop.

Sometimes a person starts out socially drinking and then it escalates, sometimes a person is

grieving or is using alcohol as a comfort, and sometimes it can be related to genetics. However,

the “Nnational Iinstitute on Aalcohol Aabuse and Aalcoholism” has stated that aAlcohol abuse

doesse often tends to run in families, and there are scientific studies about an alcoholism gene.

Genetics can definitely influence our likelihood of developing the trait of alcohol abuse, but it’s

not necessarily that simple. Research shows that genes are responsible for about half of the risk

for alcoholism. Therefore, genes alone are not the only thing that contributes to determine

whether someone will develop alcohol dependence. Environmental factors, as well play a role in

the remainder of the risk factors.

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works cited

Sanford,, Jared. “How Does Someone Become an Alcoholic?” Portland Treatment Center, 29 May

2014,
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Chen, Chiung M. “Genetics of Alcohol Use Disorder.” National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and

Alcoholism, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/alcohol-

health/overview-alcohol-consumption/alcohol-use-disorders/genetics-alcohol-use-disorders

Conte, Mona. “Destructive Decisions Caused by Alcohol Abuse.” QuitAlcohol.com, 23 Feb. 2016,

https://www.quitalcohol.com/alcohol-abuse/destructive-decisions-caused-by-alcohol-abuse.html

DucharmeDUCHARME, JAMIEJamie. “What Research Really Says About Drinking Alcohol and

...”

TIME.com, Time Inc, 20 Feb. 2018, http://time.com/5166514/moderate-drinking-live-longer-

study/

liffey, Ana. “How Drink Can Affect Families.” DRUGS.ie - Drug and Alcohol Information Ireland,

http://www.drugs.ie/alcohol_info/worried_about_someone1/how_drink_can_affect_families/

PITTS Pitts , JONATHANJonathan. “Effects of Drugs and Alcohol in Your

Career.” HealthGuidance.org, http://www.healthguidance.org/entry/11314/1/Effects-of-Drugs-

and-Alcohol-in-Your-Career.html

Sanford,, Jared. “How Does Someone Become an Alcoholic?” Portland Treatment Center, 29 May

2014, https://www.lifelineconnections.org/someone-become-alcoholic/

“Short- & Long-Term Effects of Alcohol - Negative Side Effects on the Body - Drug-Free

World.” Foundation for a Drug-Free World,

https://www.drugfreeworld.org/drugfacts/alcohol/short-term-long-term-effects.html
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