Introduction
Alcoholism is considered one of the social problems of modern society. The excessive consumption of alcohol among individuals has adversely affected various families globally. Every day, alcohol users fail to realize the effects of drug abuse on themselves and their loved ones. The drug can be addictive and a threat to an individual’s life. People addicted to alcohol consumption typically suffer serious symptoms when attempting to cease from its consumption (Suzuki & Kober, 2018). Most countries worldwide have recognized the abuse of alcohol and other substances as a threat to social and economic growth. Though there are few recognizable positive effects of alcohol consumption, its negative effects go beyond these benefits.
Discussion
Alcohol is one of the oldest but still widely used drugs. The origin of alcoholic beverages can be traced back to prehistoric times when the ancient people discovered that fermentation could occur on any smashed sugar-containing food such as grapes (Hammoud & Jimenez-Shahid, 2019).
When such foods were left exposed to the air, yeast acted on the foods leading to their conversion to alcohol and carbon dioxide. People seemed to like the effects of alcohol and proceeded to produce it by purposely growing raw materials such as vines. Wines and beer played essential roles in the ancients’ religious functions. Alcohol was offered as a libation to accompany the deceased on their final journey. It was used in the rites of passage, marriage initiations, peacemaking ceremonies, and feats. Alcohol manufacturing and sales were already standard in the earliest civilization, commercialized, and regulated by the governments. In ancient Egypt, doctors prescribed drugs that included beer and wine.
Even though alcohol has been inappropriately abused recently, it is safe to say that the consumption of alcohol is both a tonic and poison, depending on the dose. Moderate alcohol drinking seems good for the circulatory system of the body. When consumed appropriately, alcohol reduces the risk of developing and dying heart disease and the risk of stroke and diabetes (Hammoud & Jimenez-Shahid, 2019). However, this should be accompanied by a healthy diet and physical exercise.
Legally, the minimum drinking age for alcohol users should be 21 years. However, this varies depending on various states and their laws. Most countries around the world prohibit the sale of alcohol to persons under the age of 18 as they are considered vulnerable to addiction. Men and women are advised to drink no more than 14 units of alcohol every week to help keep the health risks as low as possible (Roozen & Smith, 2022).
In the United States, individuals are not allowed to take home more than two units of alcohol daily. Excessive consumption of alcohol has very adverse effects on the health of its users. It damages the liver and heart and harms an unborn child in expectant mothers (Hammoud & Jimenez-Shahid, 2019). Excessive consumption of alcohol causes cancer of the mouth, breast, liver, esophagus, and rectum. The risk is enormous for drinkers who do not have a balanced diet. Research has it that excessive alcohol consumption is the cause of half of the fatal road accidents in the United States (Roozen & Smith, 2022). Abuse of alcohol may also lead to depression and even death of individuals.
Various laws have been put in place to ensure that the consumption of alcohol is regulated. A combination of state and local laws helps shape the manufacture, sale, consumption, and treatment of alcohol-related problems. For instance, people under 21 years old are prohibited from taking alcohol in the United States. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (BATF) licenses importers, manufacturers, and wholesalers and regulates the advertising, size of containers, and labeling of alcoholic beverages. In India, several states prohibit the sale and consumption of alcohol (Roozen & Smith, 2022). There is a partial ban on alcohol in some districts of the Manipur state in the country.
Alcohol use disorder is a medical condition that occurs when one drinks too much alcohol, which can cause distress and harm. This condition varies depending on how much alcohol one takes per unit. Many people prefer 28-day inpatient rehab to treat the condition; however, other better methods are recommended medically (Suzuki & Kober, 2018). These methods include; detoxification and withdrawal that is medically managed, psychological counseling, oral medications using disulfiram, and injection of Vivitrol, a version of the drug naltrexone, that is injected once a month by a health care professional.
Conclusion
There are many reasons why most young people end up in drug and substance addiction, and the impacts are incredibly damaging. The effects of alcohol consumption pose a massive problem in today’s world. Therefore, it is essential to spread awareness about alcoholism and its mental health consequences. People with this addiction problem must see doctors and seek help from those close to them. Government and non-governmental organizations must now recognize this issue’s sensitivity and employ efficient ways to curb its spread. The youths are the most vulnerable group to fall into drug and substance abuse effects due to the various social problems they face in life (Suzuki & Kober, 2018). They should therefore be educated on the better ways to handle problems such as loneliness, fear, anxiety, and heartbreak other than drug and substance consumption.
References
Hammoud, N., & Jimenez-Shahed, J. (2019). Chronic Neurologic effects of alcohol. Clinics in Liver Disease, 23(1), 141-155. Web.
Roozen, H. G., & Smith, J. E. (2022). Substance-related and addictive disorders: First wave case conceptualization. Behavior Therapy, 525-561. Web.
Suzuki, S., & Kober, H. (2018). Substance-related and addictive disorders. APA handbook of psychopathology: Psychopathology: Understanding, assessing, and treating adult mental disorders (Vol. 1), 481-506. Web.