Alcoholism - No Easy Solution Essay example - 986 Words

Alcoholism - No Easy Solution Mike Brake’s â€Å"Needed: A License to Drink† is a well-written essay that covers the serious issue of alcoholism and goes on to offer a creative proposal to solve the situation. Brake addresses alcoholism as a â€Å"primary public health-problem† which holds merit, considering Brake sites alcohol is the cause of 19,000 auto fatalities each year. To remedy these preventable fatalities, Brake proposes to institute a national system of licensing with appropriate penalties for violators. He goes on to say that these licenses should be issued the same way as driver’s licenses. An applicant would have to read a manual, and take a written exam which would include questions such as â€Å"How many drinks would it take to†¦show more content†¦Falcone, a researcher for Saint Jude’s Retreat House a treatment center for persons with chemical-dependency, alcoholism is not a disease at all, â€Å"Therapists claim the disease concept helps the patient to understand the seriousness of [his/her] problems. But in reality, this idea has backfired. The disease concept strips the substance abuser of responsibility. A disease cannot be cured by force of will; therefore, adding the medical label transfers the responsibility from the abuser to others. Inevitably they become unwilling victims, and inevitably they take on that role.† On top of the fact that Brake thinks alcoholism is a disease he also believes that doctors should report the cases they see like they would report a case of cancer or AIDS. But if alcoholism is not a disease then why would a doctor have to report it, also why report something that can not be treated by any form of medicine. The only known cure to this day is self-help. And that does not always work. â€Å"Medical professionals are admittedly incapable of helping drug addicts and alcoholics so they pass the buck. But, because of recidivism rates and treatment failure, the buck is passed right back† here Falcone is talking about how if a doctor has a patient who is an alcoholic all they can do is get them admitted to a treatment center, but more often then not they are back again after a fewShow MoreRelatedAlcoholism Is A Problem Of Society And What Steps Can Be Taken As A Solution1200 Words   |  5 Pagesdoes. If you don’t want this happening to people you love, then something needs to be done about alcoholism. For the past two weeks I have been researching the topic of alcoholism. Today I will be telling you why alcoholism is a problem in society and what steps can be taken as a solution. First I will tell you why alcoholism is a problem and some of the effects of alcohol. The problem with alcoholism is, worst case scenario, people can die. Also if you drink too much alcohol, it can cause heartRead MoreAlcoholism : A Growing Problem1468 Words   |  6 PagesAlcoholism Alcoholism is a growing problem in today s society. What is alcoholism? Is it a disease? What are the causes of it? What toll does alcohol abuse have on individuals? American society? American economy? What kind of treatments are available to reduce/cure alcoholism? What is alcoholism? Alcoholism is a physical or psychological need for an alcoholic beverage, which is taken for non-medical reasons and produces a noticeable effect on the body (Sheen 93). People develop the need for alcoholRead MoreAlcoholism : Is It A Disease?1564 Words   |  7 Pagesfrom working normally†. Based on this definition, alcoholism is a disease. This is to say, however, the general populace can agree upon the definition decided by Merriam-Webster. Every person is entitled to their own opinion of what qualifies as a disease. The thought of alcoholism creates a moral quandary for many people. Religious and personal views can affect how the word is perceived. Mark Gold, in Alcohol Addiction Magazine, says â€Å"Alcoholism is a mysterious affliction that originates in anRead MoreThe Effects Of Alcohol On The Brain And Body866 Words   |  4 Pagesto compulsive drinking, and those who develop a problem from long-continued stress or long-term social drinking. In either case, brainwave patterns and brain chemistry are abnormal. These abnormalities lead to the symptoms and characteristics of alcoholism, which vary from person to person. The American Psychiatric Association recognizes early symptoms as: restlessness, anxiety, stubbornness and anger. This drives the person to self-destructive and antisocial behavior. The outer phe nomenology of anRead MoreAlcoholism : A Silent Killer1624 Words   |  7 Pagessubject hits home for me. Alcoholism is a silent killer in today’s society. Research proves that alcoholism effects the whole family from the inside out. Alcoholism within a family recreates unhealthy family roles in order to help adapt to living with an alcoholic. The alcoholic becomes the focal point in a family; which causes lasting effects. Alcoholism is a disease that destroy families when they are not appropriately addressed. This paper focuses on three points; 1) alcoholism recreates family rolesRead More Media Essay - It’s Time to Ban the Advertising of Alcoholic Beverages1322 Words   |  6 Pagesassociated with alcohol. Alcoholism is a disease. According to the government-run NIAAA, or the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, alcoholism has a few easy to recognize symptoms. First of all, alcoholics have an addiction to alcohol. They constantly have a desire to cons ume more alcohol. This strong desire for alcohol leads to a loss of control. Rather than choosing when to drink and limiting the amount of alcohol consumption, alcoholics are controlled by their alcoholism. This desire isRead MoreTeenage Alcohol Abuse1465 Words   |  6 Pagesfuture. Thus, to effectively solve the problems associated with teenage alcohol abuse, teenagers and their parents must work together to better understand the problem and develop mutually beneficial solutions. Cracking down on parties and other binge drinking episodes is important too. Alcoholism is caused by a number of individual, family, genetic, and social factors rather than by any one cause (Dyrden). Teenagers drink for many reasons. They drink out of curiosity, to feel good, to relieve stressRead MoreBook Analysis : The Big Book 1408 Words   |  6 Pagesinformation in a step by step fashion. It begins with Bill’s Story. 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These feelings are usually replaced by drowsiness as the alcoholRead MoreIts Only Natural Essay1478 Words   |  6 Pagescognition is similar to a developmental timetable. Piaget’s Sensorimotor period happens during Freud’s Oral stage and Erikson’s Trust vs. Mistrust stage. The periods of these different stages are milestones in development. Extraversion, body weight, and alcoholism are just a few social and biological factors that can have a permanent impact on an individual. Ones physical appearance can contribute to an outgoing â€Å"Extraversion† personality trait. If an individual is not socially accepted at an early age,