Alcohol is mainly categorized as a drug of dependence, but far from that, it causes various types of diseases and conditions. Starting with the individual, consumption of alcohol may cause injuries, behavioral and mental disorders, immunological disorders, cardiovascular diseases, gastrointestinal conditions, lung diseases, cancers, reproductive disorders, as well as skeletal and muscular diseases (Anderson, 2019). For conditions such as respiratory distress syndrome, cardiomyopathy, and muscle damage, the harm increases with a sustained level of alcohol consumption. Therefore, the risk of suffering from alcohol-related diseases and conditions increases with the volume of alcohol taken.
People taking alcohol also pose health risks to other members of the society. Firstly, high alcohol intake leads to impaired judgment, which may result into irresponsible sexual activities. Spouses may be infected with sexually transmitted infections, and even HIV because of irresponsible partners. Secondly, alcohol is an immunosuppressant, thus makes individuals vulnerable to communicable diseases, especially tuberculosis (Anderson, 2019). Consequently, those infected risk the health and even lives of their relatives, and close members of the public. Thirdly, pregnant women who drink alcohol risk the health of their unborn children. In most cases, children born of such mothers are underweight. Additionally, alcoholics tend to be violent and can wreck their homes, leading to mental conditions to family members, especially depression.
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In conclusion, alcohol abuse may be a personal habit, but it has far-reaching consequences. The habit leads to dependence, and subsequently, diseases and disorders. Close family members have to endure mental strain to cope up with the alcoholics. In some cases, family members are compelled to contribute finances to help fund the treatment of alcohol-addicts. The government too, spends a lot of resources to treat and rehabilitate alcohol addicts (Scott, & Kaner, 2013). Such resources could otherwise be transferred to other crucial health sectors. Evidently, alcohol abuse is not only harmful to individuals, but has undesirable implications to the public.
References
Anderson, P. (2019). The impact of alcohol on health. http://www.euro.who.int/__data/assets/pdf_file/0010/191359/1-The-impact-of-alcohol-on-health.pdf?ua=1;The
Scott, S., & Kaner, E. (2013). Alcohol and public health: heavy drinking is a heavy price to pay for populations. https://academic.oup.com/jpubhealth/article/36/3/396/1524736
