Effects of Alcoholism

Alcohol is a legal and widely-accepted drug, and as a drug it acts on one's physical and mental faculties; therefore, one should know and consider the effects of alcohol use. I experienced the consequences of alcoholism for twenty years. I can attest to the toll that it takes on jobs, relationships, and finances.

One of the concerns for employers is the upholding a quality company image. Constant tardiness and extra man hours needed to compensate for an alcoholics inability to perform the duties assigned may burden an employer and do not help the image of the company. In other cases, arguments between employees can elevate to physical confrontations. Richard Fuller states, "At this point in time, it appears that alcohol is one of several factors leading to violence" (3). Termination from a job can happen if an employee is suspected to be under the influence of alcohol.

Personal relationships can also be strained and pushed to the breaking point for many alcoholics. When one is under the influence of alcohol, inconsideration of others is almost a given. The spouse of an alcoholic will see these effects in the forms of thoughtlessness and even aggression by the alcoholic, such as physical violence. Richard Fuller says, "Epidemiological studies of perpetrators and victims of interpersonal violence indicate that alcohol has often been consumed shortly prior to the violent act" (3). One study shows that the number of violent conflicts versus non-violent conflicts in people that had been drinking versus people that had not been drinking increased dramatically if alcohol was consumed in the previous 12 hours (Poulose p376(6)).

The financial devastation created from continuously using alcohol can be enormous. The daily cost of one's alcoholic drink of choice can vary greatly. If one chooses a particular drink for the taste, then the cost per drink will be a little more expensive than a person who only wants inexpensive alcohol for becoming intoxicated. In time, though, the amount of consumption will increase and, in turn, increasing the overall expense. The daily purchase price of the alcohol can then be quickly overshadowed by the price of legal consequences. The results of another study showed that the risk traffic accidents increased greatly after drinking alcohol (Poulose). A legal defense DUI website says "In California, a misdemeanor drunk-driving conviction can result in court punishment that includes fines up to $1000 and possible jail terms. Felony DUI can result in a jail sentence and fines up to $5000[sic]" (DUI Punishment in Federal Court). If a suspected DUI offender refuses to take sobriety test then fines and jail terms increase (DUI Punishment in Federal Court).

To conclude, the effects of alcohol and alcoholism can reach much further into a person's life and pocket book than will be shown on a beer commercial. Alcohol can be a great mood-altering drug if it can be controlled by the user. Once the alcohol, as with any drug, starts to control the user then unemployment, loneliness, and bankruptcy are very likely to follow.

Works Cited

"DUI Punishment in Federal Court." N.d. Web. 26 October 2009 .

Fuller, Richard K. Alcohol and Violence. Bethesda: Plenum Press, 2002. Print.

Poulose, Biju and Krishnamachari Srinivasan. "High Risk Behaviors Following Alcohol Use in Alcohol Dependent Men." Indian Journal of Medical Research (2009): 376(6). Web. 15 Oct. 2009. Academic One File.