Social Issues: Alcohol Use

What are the positive and negative effects of alcohol use?

The abuse and overuse of alcohol has become a huge issue in our society, and one that governments and other organisations are working hard to reduce. Overuse of alcohol results in drunkenness, possibly causing aggression and irresponsibility. It may also increase the risk of many diseases. Despite these issues, many claim alcohol has positive effects when used responsibly. It can make you more relaxed, and some researchers claim it has health benefits when used in moderation. The production and retail of alcoholic beverages also provides employment for thousands of people. In social situations, alcohol can have positive effects. It can help people feel livelier, more relaxed and easier speaking. Recreational drinking such as this is not usually an issue so long as the user is responsible, but issues may occur if it is used is used consistently to become relaxed, or as an escape from stress. In addition to this, alcohol is said to have some medical benefits when used in moderation. According to some researchers, alcohol can be beneficial when used in small amounts, claiming it can help protect against cardiovascular disease (Kenny, 2012) (Moelker, 2012), but this is still only one small factor of many that can affect the likelihood of heart disease. It can also: Reduce the risk of developing stomach ulcers, as alcohol can destroy the infection they are caused by Raise HDL (good cholesterol) levels Help improve bone density Help digestion after a meal Reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes (Fenton, 2009)

The important point common to all positive points of alcohol consumption is moderation and responsible use. Like nearly anything we consume, excess consumption negates many of the positive points outlined above and can cause health issues and aggression. Excessive consumption of alcohol increases the risk of many diseases, including degeneration and infection of the liver, sleeping disorders, infection of the stomach, pancreas, or oesophagus, premature dementia, and high blood pressure. Some of these effects are particularly damaging in young people whose bodies are not yet fully developed. Alcohol consumption at a young age has a very severe effect on the brain, causing loss of brain cells that cannot be replaced. In extreme cases, this can have a noticeable and measureable effect, creating issues later in life. Poisoning of the liver is also a risk of heavy alcoholism, with some extreme cases requiring a liver transplant for survival. When under the influence of alcohol, it is impossible to respond as quickly or think as clearly as when sober. Alcohol is a depressant, meaning it slows down the process of the brain and can reduce hearing and blur vision temporarily. In Australia, drunk driving is the largest cause of road accidents with over 25% of crashes involving drivers with a blood alcohol content of over the legal limit. At twice the legal limit, a driver is more than 10 times more likely to have an accident than a sober driver. Alcohol is also one of the leading causes of domestic violence, as well as fights in clubs and at parties. Alcohol increases the likelihood of reacting violently for the same reason it relaxes and reduces anxiety. The suppression of an anxious reaction can cause people who may usually just walk away to react violently.

Over 40% of incidents occur while under the influence of alcohol, showing it often causes normally calm people to not think straight. The use of alcohol may or may not be an issue depending on the situation and the user. In moderation, there are very few issues arising from its use, possibly even some benefits. Issues only arise when it is consumed in excess and the user becomes drunk, possibly becoming violent and aggressive. Drunk driving can cause harm not only to the driver, but to other innocent, uninvolved people. Organ and brain damage is a lifelong effect, and can usually not be fully reversed. Weather alcohol consumption is an issue or not comes down to the user are they responsible or not?

Bibliography
Fenton, D. (2009, December 18). Pros and Cons of Alcohol Consumption. Retrieved from SteadyHealth.com: http://www.steadyhealth.com/articles/Pros_and_Cons_of_Alcohol_Consumption_a1111.html Kenny, T. (2012, July 19). Preventing Cardiovascular Diseases. Retrieved from Patient.co.uk: http://www.patient.co.uk/health/preventing-cardiovascular-diseases Moelker, W. (2012, October 13). Positive and Negative effects of Alcohol Use. Retrieved from Web4Health: http://web4health.info/en/answers/add-alcohol-goodbad.htm SIRC. (2012). Social and Cultural Aspects of Drinking. Retrieved from Social Issues Research Center: http://www.sirc.org/publik/drinking3.html