The world in general has a love hate relationship with alcohol. The perception of alcohol is different in different cultures; in some, it is acceptable in moderation, while some cultures look down upon the vey concept. The problem with alcohol is, of course, the intoxication it leads to. Alcohol addiction is a very real and a very dangerous thing. A number of diseases are linked to alcohol, and not all of them are physical. However, despite all the bad rap that alcohol has been getting, research has conclusively proven that there is indeed some good to come out of drinking alcohol once in a while.
Benefits of alcohol:
Let us first begin with the positive impacts of alcohol.
Heart healthy
Moderate consumption of certain types of alcohol lowers the risk for cardiovascular disease. Men who drink 60 ml of whisky or bourbon per day, and women who drink 30-40 m of these beverages per day have significantly lower risk of contracting a heart ailment. Besides, red wine is also known to inhibit the signs of aging on the skin, and promotes blood circulation.
Social catalyst
Socially speaking, alcohol is a great way of lowering inhibitions, which makes it a great drink for breaking the ice at informal and formal gatherings. It I also known as a nerve stimulant in moderate quantities, so a shot or two of your favorite drink is likely to make you feel happier and relaxed at the same time.
Source of income
Alcohol is one of the most major industries in the world. Almost all nations produce their own alcohol which is consumed both within the country and internationally. Import and export of alcohol is a great source of revenue. Besides, the production of alcohol provides a huge source of employment for the population of a country.
Negative effects of alcohol:
All said and done, alcohol is still pretty high on the list of harmful substances.
Addiction
The most major issue with alcohol is of course the significant risk of addiction. Since alcohol is an intoxicant, consumption triggers the reward centers of the brain, which leaves us in a euphoric or at least feel good state. As a result, an individual is beset with the desire to consume some more, which gradually escalate to a daily habit. Alcohol addiction is linked to a slow and then complete breakdown of the person’s social and professional life, not to mention the variety of illnesses this ultimately leads to.
Deterioration of physical health
Excessive alcohol consumption is related to a host of illnesses, with most of them being potentially fatal. A high rate of cardiac illnesses is seen among those who consume alcohol in excess on a daily basis, with incidence of death from cardiac arrest being exceedingly common. Alcohol is also linked to a multitude of live diseases, the most dangerous of which is cirrhosis of the liver, or liver cancer. Fatty liver is also another consequence of immoderate alcohol consumption. It also takes a great toll on the kidney, and can ultimately leads to complete renal failure.
Social implications
Immoderate alcohol consumption has huge negative social implications. With alcohol being freely available in most parts of the world, consumption has become rampant. Despite age restrictions being present, it is not uncommon to see corrupt retailers selling alcohol to minors. Immoderate consumption leads to a rise in alcohol fueled crimes and violent behavior. Reports of the youth being arrested for injuring, killing, or molesting someone in a drunken haze are extremely common. Drunk driving is yet another hugely negative social condition that leads to horrific accidents.
Breakdown in personal life
Alcoholism also has greatly negative implications on an individual’s life. An addict tends to withdraw from society as the addiction takes over and the need to drink increases. A drunken stupor leads to violent behavior at home and outside, ad incidents of bar brawls are not uncommon. Apart from that, alcoholism is closely linked to domestic abuse, with many cases being reported of people hitting and injuring their families when restrained from drinking. Social distance leads to isolation, which in turn fuels the need o drink more, and it becomes a vicious cycle. Alcoholism is one of the leading causes of divorces and charges of domestic neglect in many parts of the world.
Depleted finances
The economic implications of alcoholism are staggering. First of all, alcohol itself does not come cheap, and that increases expense. It leads to a number of illnesses that are expensive and often difficult to treat. Alcohol also impairs the cognitive functions in the long run, which leads to major disruption in the professional life, often leading to unemployment. Rehab and therapy is required in extreme cases, which add to the expense.
That is not to say, of course, that you will absolutely not drink once in a while. The key is to choose a beverage that has low alcohol content, and keep consumption to a minimum. Instead of drinking in immoderate amounts, make sure that you are drinking only as much is required to mingle in a social gathering.
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