Alcoholism has many causes but its effects are most devastating and they include cancers, mental illnesses, and many family problems. Alcoholism is a disease with cravings as strong as the need for food and water (ÃÂÃÂStraight TalkÃÂÃÂ N. pag.). It is a lifetime disease that follows a predictable course with symptoms (ÃÂÃÂStraight TalkÃÂÃÂ N. pag.). A ÃÂÃÂtypicalÃÂÃÂ alcoholic is depicted as a ÃÂÃÂskid row drunkÃÂÃÂ , a ÃÂÃÂhomeless tattered shadowÃÂÃÂ on the freeway on ramp or begging for coins on the street ( ÃÂÃÂAlcoholism InformationÃÂÃÂ N. pag.). Alcoholism affects millions, but given less empathy as other mental disorders, that is depression, autism or AlzheimerÃÂÃÂs (ÃÂÃÂAlcoholism InformationÃÂÃÂ N. pag.). It is not about moral weakness of personal choice; it is about physical allergy coupled with a mental obsession so great that there is a total loss of choice in whether one will drink (ÃÂÃÂAlcoholism InformationÃÂÃÂ N. pag.).
Alcoholism is a progressive disease going from bad to worse (ÃÂÃÂAlcoholism InformationÃÂÃÂ N.
pag.). People who drink moderately (women: 1 drink per day, men: 2 drinks per day) are less likely to die of heart disease (ÃÂÃÂStraight TalkÃÂÃÂ N. pag.), but then again alcohol is the number one abused drug in the United States (ÃÂÃÂAlcoholism OverviewÃÂÃÂ N. pag.). Over 13% of American adults will or have experienced alcohol abuse or dependency in their lifetime (alcoholism) (ÃÂÃÂAlcoholism OverviewÃÂÃÂ N. pag.), there is a greater amount of alcoholism in the young adults between ages 18 and 29 and less among adults ages 65 and up (ÃÂÃÂStraight TalkÃÂÃÂ N. pag.).
About fourteen million people in the United States, or one out of thirteen adults abuse alcohol or are an alcoholic, and this is more likely among men than women (ÃÂÃÂStraight TalkÃÂÃÂ N. pag.). Better than one half of all adults with a family history of alcoholism or...