Alcohol Is The Most Widely Used Social Drug Essay

Alcohol is the most widely used social drug in New Zealand. Heavy drinkers risk serious alcohol related harm. Alcohol is a social drug that affects people in different ways, while a small amount of alcohol may be beneficial to the heart for some older people, ‘risky’ drinking can cause serious health, personal and social problems. Heavy drinkers, binge drinkers and very young drinkers are at risk. Binge drinking is a particular problem among younger people, but anyone who drinks heavily or drinks too much in one session is at risk of both immediate and long-term alcohol related harm For children and young people under 18 years, not drinking is the safest option. Those who are under the age of 15 years of age at the greatest risk of harm from drinking alcohol and not drinking at this age is especially important for young people aged 15-17 years, the safest option is to delay drinking for as long as possible. If 15-17 year olds are drinking alcohol, they should be supervised, drink infrequently and at levels usually bellow and never exceeding the adult daily limits. Effects of alcohol on health: †¢ Heart – Raised blood pressure and triglycerides (especially after binge drinking), damage to the heart muscle and stroke. †¢ Brain – Brain damage, tremors, dementia and nerve damage. Alcohol is a depressant drug and effects your co-ordination, self-control, judgment and reaction time. †¢ Stomach – Stomach inflammation (gastritis) and bleeding. †¢ Liver – Cancer, HepatitisShow MoreRelatedEssay about Alcohol: A Double Edge Sword1043 Words   |  5 PagesAlcohol is historically one of the oldest known drugs to mankind. It is ingested orally and comes in many varieties. It is attractively packaged in alluring bottles and cans; which can seduce the unsuspecting individual and lead to a life of unrelenting misery, imbued with a potentially ruinous outcome. Taken in moderation; however, alcohol can also be used to prevent disease processes and promote health. This particular drug is both legal and is promoted widely throughout the planet. I chose thisRead MoreEssay Alcohol626 Words   |  3 PagesAlcohol Alcohol has been around for ages, but only relatively recently has become a recognized problem in society. Its negative effects on the body and its impact on the mind has caused the drug to be associated with such crimes as rape, murder, and other violence. Concerns with alcoholism and drunk driving are on the rise, and underage drinking rates are soaring. Whether for the better or for the worse, alcohol is a driving factor in Americas economy and society, which makes it very importantRead MoreTopic On Alcopops And Teen Binge Drinking1338 Words   |  6 Pagesamounts of alcohol for the purpose of getting drunk. Teenagers generally do this on a weekend and the drink of choice is the sweet flavoured Alcopops. These drinks come in a variety of cool colour and flavours and are marketed at the younger target group Binge drinking is a widely used term, and is the act of drinking heavily over a short period of time or over several days. Alcopops are the only alcoholic drink whose popularity declines with age. Alcopops begin introducing young people to alcohol at aRead MoreSubstance Related Disorders846 Words   |  4 Pagessubstances, the outcome will be that the user will end up with a substance related disorder. When people take drugs, it over stimulates the reward path of the brain causing them to become dependent. Substance abuse vs. substance dependence A substance related disorder is a condition, it can be subdivided into two groups: substance abuse and substance dependence. Drug use becomes identified as substance abuse when the individual continues the use of a substance in spite ofRead MoreAlcoholism : Is Alcoholism A Disease?929 Words   |  4 Pagesdefining alcoholism means denying that alcohol abusers own a choice. In consequence, the treatment related differs and may or may not actually help alcoholics recover. A wrong diagnostic of this addiction can lead to serious health issues; therefore, it is vital to answer the following question: Is alcoholism a disease? Most experts in this field criticises this view of alcoholism as a disease due to the fact that this theory simply lacks a cure. It also victimises alcohol abuser, hence, completely negatingRead MoreSubstance Abuse Among The Elderly1473 Words   |  6 Pagescontinuing involvement with alcohol and illicit drugs. For example Simoni-Wastila (2004) stated â€Å"widely acknowledged that . . . drug use and abuse will be compounded in the near future as the baby boomer population, known for both its historical and current acceptance of licit and illicit drug taking, begins entering older adulthood.† Furthermore, the overall health and wellbeing of the Nation is connected with the availability and acknowledge of substance abuse and illicit drug abuse problems. This researchRead MoreEssay about Alcoholism1398 Words   |  6 Pages quot;Alcohol is a socially acceptable, legal drug that is consumed by the majority of Americans without problems to themselves or others (Milgram xiii).quot; Misuse of alcohol can lead to alcoholism, one of the most widespread and complex problems in America. The reasons some people become dependent on alcohol and others do not are unknown. Many health problems are associated with chronic alcohol abuse, including damage to the liver, brain, or central nervous system. nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;AlcoholRead MoreAlcoholism Outline809 Words   |  4 Pages  Classification and terminology of Alcoholism A. Etymology II. History of Alcohol III. Signs and symptoms B.   Symptoms of long term alcohol misuse 1. Physical symptoms 2. Psychiatric symptoms 3.   Social effects C. Alcohol withdrawal IV. Causes of Alcoholism D. Genetic variation V. Pathophysiology VI. Diagnosis of Alcoholism E. Social barriers F. Screening G. Genetic predisposition testing H. DiagnosticRead MoreThe Social Problem Of Teenage Drinking725 Words   |  3 Pagesdrinking has become one of the largest social issues among young people in America today. Although more than half of high schoolers drink on a regular basis, the problem is that they are not aware of how dangerous alcohol can be. Although the health risks of heavy drinking are known and understood, the social habit continues to be accepted as a cultural norm. Is it surprising then, that the young people are beginning to drink at school ages. The reality is that alcohol is often the cause of many problemsRead MoreShould Marijuana Be Legalized?1231 Words   |  5 Pagesâ€Å"America’s Most Blunted†) Despite the wide amount of research that shows the positive benefits of marijuana, it remains illegal under federal law. In recent years, numerous states have defied federal law and legalized marijuana for both recreational and medicinal use. Arizona has legalized marijuana for medical use, but it still remains illegal to use recreationally. This is absurd, as the evidence gathered over the last few decades strongly supports the notion that it is safer than alcohol, a widely available