Alcohol has been part of society for quite some time with the rate of using it increasing gradually over time (Davoren et al., 2016). Alcohol is mostly used in various circumstances, thus having different uses to different users. Some people use it to relax, socialize, celebrate, and boost the pleasure of meals, among other uses. Some users use it moderately while others drink alcohol in excess violating the guidelines established by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA). In this case, alcohol is sweet and enjoyable when used moderately or in small quantities but dangerous when used in excess.
Alcohol abuse has, therefore, become a serious problem in the society today as its rate of consumption has increased abruptly. In order for a person to be considered as an alcoholic, several factors come into play, which leads the user to take alcohol in excess. As discussed earlier, some uses of alcohol, such as celebrating, socializing, and relaxing often lead to moderate drinking. On the other hand, excessive usage of alcohol may be caused by several factors, such as social pressure, unhappiness, loneliness, and tension (Sæther et al., 2019). Moreover, anxiety, self-doubt, depression, and family history of abusing alcohol leads to alcoholism (Butler et al., 2019). Mental illness and disorder is the most significant cause of alcohol abuse, whereby a person misusing alcohol is doing so in order to provide relief from a psychological problem.
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Alcohol abuse has its consequences, some of which are reversible while some become irreversible. A considerable number of alcoholic users die from alcohol-related diseases (Marshall, 2014). Misuse of alcohol leads to premature deaths of young people, leads to poor performance at school and work, and causes myriad family-related problems (Tembo, Burns & Kalembo, 2017). Violence, accidents, organ damage, and memory blackout are a number of consequences that can be brought about by alcohol abuse (Harding et al., 2016). Moreover, it can lead to unprotected sex, which later leads to sexually transmitted diseases.
Personally, I have a direct encounter with alcohol and alcohol abuse. My first encounter with alcohol was when I returned from a traumatic war. It was my first experience of war, which I made me experienced some traumatic events. It was my first time killing my fellow human beings as some of my colleagues killed in the process. The loss of close friends in the war also left me depressed. Continuous participation during the war and all the traumatizing events that I experienced during the war left me suffering from the post-traumatic stress disorder. In order to cope up with the post-traumatic stress disorder, I began taking alcohol from moderate amounts to excessive leading to alcoholism.
At first, the experience of alcohol consumption was tremendous and later became a problem for me and my life. Consumption of alcohol at first was great because it helped me overcome the depression and anxiety I had over the war. However, as time passed by, I started to become dependent on alcohol to solve my problems and for my happiness. I was later declared an alcoholic and began suffering from alcoholism. Moreover, I was diagnosed with Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD), which is a medical and chronic condition caused due to binge alcohol consumption (Addolorato et al., 2018). Moreover, my alcohol problem can be traced from my family. My paternal uncle was an alcoholic and passed away from cirrhosis of the liver at a young age.
Due to alcohol abuse, I have suffered from withdrawal seizures and missed several and important job and education opportunities in my life. My life has been a complete mess and I have been hospitalized severally due to binge drinking. The condition has forced me to seek help from different detox and rehabilitation programs. Currently, I am getting help through the VA hospital to get my situation under control.
I must say that alcohol detox and rehabilitation have not been a great journey, as it has been challenging for me. The recovery process from alcoholism is indeed a long journey and has its process to follow (Adzrago, Doku, & Adu-Gyamfi, 2018). The first step of recovering from alcoholism is the detox stage, where all the alcoholic substances are flushed out of the person. The next step that follows is the rehab stage, where the foundation of long-term treatment efforts are built. The last stage becomes the recovery and aftercare, where it involves continuing healing for long term recovery. Therefore, completing all the process needs courage, determination, willingness, and strength.
In conclusion, alcoholism should be a great concern to society today. Individual members of society need to make it their obligation to restrain from excessive alcohol drinking. Awareness and educative programs should be put in place to educate the members of society on the dangers and consequences of excessive alcohol drinking. Moreover, free detox and rehabilitation programs are necessary for easy access for people suffering from alcoholism and withdrawal seizures. Doing so will lower the rate of premature death caused by alcohol-related ailments in the coming years. Alcoholism will also fade gradually in society and people will appreciate the essence of moderate drinking.
References
Addolorato, G., Vassallo, G. A., Antonelli, G., Antonelli, M., Tarli, C. … & Mirijello A. (2018). Binge Drinking among adolescents is related to the development of Alcohol Use Disorders: Results from a Cross-Sectional Study. Scientific Reports, 8( 12624). doi: 10.1038/s41598-018-29311-y
Adzrago, D., Doku, D. & Adu-Gyamfi, A. (2018). Rehabilitation processes involved in rehabilitating individuals with alcohol and drug addictions at rehabilitation centers in Ghana. Journal of Addiction Research & Therapy , 9(4), 1-9. doi: 10.4172/2155-6105.1000364.
Butler A., Romano, I., Patte, K., Ferro, M. A. … & de Groh, M. (2019). Psychological correlates and binge drinking behaviors among Canadian youth: a cross-sectional analysis of the mental health pilot data from the COMPASS study . Public Health Research, 9 (6). doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2018-028558.
Davoren, M. P., Demant, J., Perry, I. J. & Shiely, F. (2016). Alcohol consumption among university students in Ireland and the United Kingdom from 2002 to 2014: A systematic review. BMC Public Health 16( 173). doi: 10.1186/s12889-016-2843-1
Harding F.M., et al., (2016). Underage drinking. A Journal of the American College of Preventive Medicine and Association for Prevention Teaching and Research, 51 (2), S148-S157. doi : 10.1016/j.amepre.2016.05.020
Marshall, E. J. (2014). Adolescent Alcohol Use: Risks and Consequences. Alcohol and Alcoholism , 49(2), 160–164. doi: 10.1093/alcalc/agt180
Sæther, S. M. M. , Knapstad, M., Askeland, K. G. … & Skogenae, J. C. (2019). Alcohol consumption, life satisfaction and mental health among Norwegian college and university students. Addictive Behaviors Reports, 10 (1), 1-9. doi: 10.1016/j.abrep.2019.100216
Tembo, C., Burns, S. & Kalembo, F. (2017). The association between levels of alcohol consumption and mental health problems and academic performance among young university students. PLoS ONE 12 (6): e0178142. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0178142.
