OPPapers.com

Teen Drinking

Alcoholism refers to the drinking of alcoholic beverages to such a degree that important things of an individual's life - such as work, school, family relationships, or personal safety and health; are seriously and repeatedly interfered with. Alcoholism is considered a disease, meaning that it follows a characteristic course with known physical, and social symptoms. The alcoholic continues to consume alcohol even though the destructive consequences he/she may face. Alcoholism is serious, and a very difficult habbit to break. If not treated, it may be a habit that cannot be broken, or maybe even a fatal problem. It is generally thought that once the disease has developed, the alcoholic will not drink normally again. It is important to note that the particular symptoms and pattern of drinking problems may vary with the individual. Alcoholism is, therefore, a very complex disorder, and this complexity has led some researchers to question the accuracy of the disease of alcoholism. There are generally four basic types of alcoholism. The first type is called Alpha Alcoholism. It is being purely psychological dependent on alcohol (Haskins, 84). With Alpha Alcoholism the person depends on alcohol to relieve bodily and emotional pain. This stage and all stages are serious in teens drinking, because any alcohol intake is dangerous for teens still developing mentally and physically. Another term for this alcoholic behavior is often called problem drinking. The second type of the alcoholic behaviors is called Beta Alcoholism. It does not involve either psycological or physical dependence on alcohol. But yet worse on your body than Alpha Alcoholism because the heavy drinking may lead to ulcers, cirrhosis of the liver, damage to the nerves, and kidney problems(Haskins, 85). Beta alcoholics have a shortened life expectancy and suffer from financial and emotional demands due to excessive over drinking. Just like smoking, it costs money like everything else, the demand for alcohol...