book

Social Problem - Alcoholism

21 Pages 860 Words 1557 Views

Alcoholism is a widely recognized problem in our society as a disease that negatively affects the human body and the mind. According the Mayo Clinic, a person with this disease has problems controlling..drinking [and] being preoccupied with alcohol as well as physical dependence and the inability to stop drinking without having withdrawal symptoms (Alcoholism). The detrimental effect that alcohol has on the mind has resulted in its association with criminal activities such as rape, murder, and other violent crimes. Exploring how alcohol is made appealing to the public, how it is detrimental to health, and ways in which our society is attempting to combat alcoholism helps us understand how it has become a major social problem on a national and local level. Drinking socially, at clubs, bars, and restaurants, is practiced by millions. People naturally want to conform so that they fit in, and in social situations, drinking is often expected. Alcohol manufacturers also are taking extra steps to make the drug appealing to the public. A recent example of this is brand stretching. According to an article by the charity Alcohol Concern, the public is encountering alcohol brands in new contexts as drinks companies extend their marketing reach by linking their brands to non-alcoholic products and cites examples of this phenomenon as Guinness chocolates and crisps, Baileys ice cream, and Jack Daniels table sauces; as well as alcohol branded mugs, clothing and sports equipment. (Brand Stretching). A person who is exposed to alcohol in such a way may try it out at first as an innocent experiment, and gradually increase its use. The Mayo Clinic tells us that alcoholism occurs over time, as a person increasingly turns to alcohol to restore good feelings or remove negative ones. (Alcoholism) As a result, alcoholics suffer from severely impaired judgment that contributes to all kinds of social problems. Mothers who suffer from alcoholism are

Read Full Essay