EFFECTS of ALCOHOL ABUSE
Modern Alcohol is made up of an anaerobic process including yeast and sugar called
“fermentation”. Although there are many sophisticated methods today in creating and producing many
various flavors and labels of alcohol, it is thought that alcohol consumption began as early as 10 million
years ago. Early human ancestors ate rotting fruit fallen to natures floor and discovered the physical
effects of alcohol then.
Throughout time and history alcohol has become more of a mainstay in societies around the
world. In ancient cultures Sumerians, Egyptians, Greeks, Romans, and the Chinese were known to have
recorded recipes for beer and wine on clay tablets. These societies used alcohol for medicinal purposes,
currency, symposiums, and wages for labor. It wasn’t until the fourteenth century in England that
excessive use of alcohol became a crime. During the 1600’s England began taxing alcohol, and the
moonshine trade began. When the English came to settle America, they believed the water to be unsafe
and brewed beer to drink instead. By the time of the Civil War in America, Americans were consuming
at least 7.1 gallons of alcohol per year. The Civil War era sealed the previous notion that alcohol should
be used for medicinal and celebratory reasons. Churches began using alcohol in their ministries. The
fact that churches were allowed to continue using wine in it’s ceremonies to celebrate Jesus Christ no
doubt made a tremendous psychological and emotional impression on members of society. This influx of
societal rule amongst its members without proper education and support of all its members has left
cracks and devastation in its legacy. It wasn’t long before the effects of alcohol abuse awareness
became known at the time of the Civil War era.
Reports of persons acting irresponsible and dangerously when under the influence of alcohol
became a major concern. Liquor became associated with crimes such as sexual assault being the most
prevalent. Other crimes such as robbery, assaults and homicides are also associated with alcohol abuse.
Alcohol abuse was becoming more apparent and a societal problem. Bootlegging, or illegally
manufacturing, transporting, distributing, and selling alcohol took place in America during the 1920’s.
Throughout the decades movements and Prohibition was established to control the consumption of
alcohol only to fall short of the legalization of alcohol in America in 1933.
When a person consumes alcohol, the body does not digest it. Once swallowed saliva,
acetaldehyde, and alcohol damage tissues in the mouth. The alcohol passes through the esophagus
jeopardizing the risk of squamous cell carcinoma (cancer of the esophagus) to the stomach and the small
intestine. The alcohol is quickly absorbed into the bloodstream by a percentage but continues to travel
as a substance through the body. When the alcohol reaches the stomach depending on previous food
storage amount in the stomach, will determine the stomach’s hydrochloric acid production. If there is
no food in the stomach the alcohol will destroy the hydrochloric acid which in turn can destroy the
stomach’s ability to fight harmful bacteria that could enter the small intestine. Mucous cells of the
stomach lining damaged by consuming alcohol by even a single heavy drinking event can cause
inflammation and lesions. Metabolism, where the body converts food into energy, of alcohol, takes
place in the liver. The liver converts alcohol into acetaldehyde. Acetaldehyde is a cell poison. This cell
poison causes various damage to the liver including DNA damage. While alcohol wreaks havoc on these
organs of the body it also challenges the large intestine. Again, depending on food storage amount in
the body will determine the aggressiveness of how the alcohol will damage the large intestine. The large
intestine will absorb the alcohol through the bloodstream. The use of alcohol increases the risk of bowel
cancer, and colorectal cancer. Alcohol is classified as a Group 1 carcinogen. Group 1 is the highest
carcinogen rating contributing to cancer depending on rate of consumption.
Alcohol abuse and Alcoholism are terms used interchangeably. Alcohol abuse varies from person
to person. That cycle of self-abuse can resemble the cycle of addiction. Alcoholism is more of a
committed stance to that chemical itself. It is termed as a “disease” because it involves the mental and
emotional aspects of a person unable to withdraw themselves from the physical craving. Alcohol is a
drug of choice by an addict. An addict is a person who has found comfort in an outside source to
regulate their inner psychological or emotional turmoil. During the stages of addiction an addict could
recover completely or continue a downward spiral to develop Alcoholism. Depending on the psychology,
sociology, physiology, and environmental factors a developing human being exposed to alcohol is at risk
far greater than ever realized.
Charles Darwin was the father of evolution. His wisdom and knowledge imparted to us today
that organisms have “evolved” over time. This evolving of organisms has included changes in adaptation
and genes. This evolving has demonstrated the natural selection of species and survival of the fittest
genetic offspring. The genetic offspring, psychological, societal, and environmental factors influence
factors contributing to the perception and use of alcohol.
Psychology is the study of human behavior, cognitive abilities, and emotions. Research in the
field of psychology today suggests that drinking alcohol is compulsory determined to be “Alcoholism” or
another term that is used is “Alcohol Use Disorder” (AUD). The practice of psychology to understand and
“correct” alcohol abuse must include not only genetics but also the “Developmental Psychology” of the
subject as well as considering societal and environmental factors to arrive at the fairest conclusion.
Society in America has many challenges relating to substance abuse issues and alcohol is
probably the easiest to access. Generations of families continue to teach their children to drink alcohol
inadvertently and ignore the education about alcohol dangers. As I have described previously, the core
system, our churches, that use Jesus Christ and God also use alcohol in their church services. This may
have begun the worldwide drift throughout the centuries in attitudes towards alcohol. Although it is
written in the Bible that alcohol was used by Jesus Christ at the marriage at Cana, and most of the
people in the world follow Jesus Christ, it is questionable about the potency of the wine that he used.
This fact has never been substantiated. The use of wine during church services and its detrimental
effects are not discussed in church services and therefore could send a conflicting message in the
development of children. Consistency, and honesty is important to an impressionable young mind.
These factors should be considered when deciding to raise a child.
The expected lifestyle of a typical American today includes the consumption of alcohol. It has
become a norm because it is legally and morally accepted in the upper echelon of society. All American
born citizens as well as foreigners seek to be successful in this country and quickly learn what sacrifices it
takes to do that. The American system is geared to “start at the bottom and work your way to the top.”
If you are and impressionable young child, you are being programmed by a society that accepts alcohol
use in churches worshipping Jesus Christ. This child is pre-dispositioned for not only confusion but
tendencies toward narcissism. Because of the class structure in American society different genetics of
people may or may not fall victim to alcohol abuse. As the world increases in population, technology
and diseases, the understanding of accountability, resources, and enforcement of societies rules may or
may not promise a change in alcohol use.
Since the first automobile was made in America in 1893 the first documented drinking and
driving arrest occurred in London in 1897. A taxi- cab driver named George Smith, crashed his taxi into a
building. He was fined 25 shillings. This incident is the only incident sensationalized about early drinking
and driving. Drinking and driving did not become outlawed by the State of New York until 1910. Other
states followed and The American Medical Association created a task force along with the National
Safety Council in the 1930’s. The result of the task force were national standards, Blood Alcohol Content,
(BAC) were established regarding drunk driving. Although Erik Widmark, a Swedish physiologist,
developed a sobriety test using a blood sample in 1910, that method was not adopted by the states. It
wasn’t until 1931 that Rolla Harger invented the “Drunkometer”. This device was a scientific way of
testing for drunkenness at the scene. It was in 1984 that congress passed the “National Minimum
Drinking Age Act”, raising the legal drinking age from the age of 18 to 21 years of age. Documenting
alcohol related crashes in America as a public resource became available with the “National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration”, in 1970. Reports of thousands of highway crashes involving alcohol
consumption in every state in America are reported each year. It is estimated that at least one person
dies every hour on our American highways due to alcohol use and driving. The American system
regarding the climb to the top and obtaining certain licenses such as a driver’s license require mandated
driver education. By the time youth reach the age to obtain a driver’s license, learned behavior,
accepted values, morals, and the conflicting messages regarding alcohol use has already been instilled
emotionally and psychologically.
Most intimate partner crimes are alcohol related. These crimes are violent in nature and
include homicides, sexual assault, physical assaults, and robberies. It is estimated that females are
targeted the most in these crimes. Females are typically thought to be inferior and males aggressive by
societies norms. Although women suffer more physical ailments due to excessive alcohol abuse, men
depending on their personality type show more aggressive tendencies. Excessive alcohol use inhibits
healthy cognitive functioning impairing problem solving, anger control, and ability to make the best
decisions. Pregnant women in America risk the healthy and normal development of a child’s growth if
the mother drinks alcohol during pregnancy. The crime of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder has various
legal definitions for each state in America. Most states have adopted the idea that drinking while
pregnant at any stage is dangerous to an unborn child. New York State recently decided that the
Constitutional Rights of a mother carrying an unborn child deserves more protection than the unborn
child. As mentioned previously in this article the delivery of alcohol to the body in any amount is the
beginning of negative health consequences. A pregnant mother is simply a vessel to provide the
evolution of our species. It is her responsibility to contribute to the entire planet the furtherance of life
and her place in this nation as a member of this society. She has no right to decide to take away any
promises of fair health and natural abilities of a human being simply out of selfishness and narcissism.
The factors that contribute to the excessive use of alcohol include physical and social. Genetics,
psychological, inherent generational factors combined with social environmental factors can breed
abuse of alcohol. Genes play a role as far as predisposition to alcohol abuse. It is the contributing factors
that secure the development and progression of the disease. No single gene is responsible for alcohol
abuse. It is a combination of physical and social factors, and any race can abuse alcohol and develop
body system damage as a result. Psychological factors and the reasoning behind an individual’s choice to
abuse alcohol are simply the physical reward. The psychological drive for this physical reward is a
person’s feelings, thoughts, and beliefs. An individual may believe that alcohol use is acceptable and not
harmful due to other family members engaging in alcohol use, commercial ads in television and
magazines, public grocery stores and other merchants selling alcohol, and peer’s invitations to join
groups of alcohol use together as a means of social acceptance. The most common report from alcohol
abuser’s is that drinking alcohol in excess causes a temporary inebriated condition that allows escape
from feeling anxiety and is a coping mechanism for dealing with everyday reality.
Despite warnings from the government about drinking and driving, alcohol abuse continues to
exist. Government warnings, usually when a fifteen- or sixteen-year-old youth is applying for their
driver’s license after years of abject conditioning, learn that if they drink and drive there could be
substantial penalty’s. The warnings are usually in the driver’s handbook or drivers’ education class that
is required before a driver’s license is issued. The physical and social formation of alcohol attitudes is
continuing to be instilled by this time and education about the addiction is consequential. The inherent
generational factors include familial generational traditions, customs, beliefs, and attitudes towards
alcohol. Children exposed to the power of alcohol and its’ role in their life and society need to sort out
the complexities of alcohol use without the proper support from America’s educational system,
churches and usually their parents. Social norms, customs, beliefs, and attitudes towards alcohol use
does not include all the facts about alcohol and the potential risks.
Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), founded in 1980, fights for more effective laws
regarding drunk driving. Preventing underage drinking and everyone believing the truth that alcohol is
“poison” may eventually help solve the problem. American’s and people all over the world believe that
alcohol is safe to drink due to our ancestor’s ingenuity for creating a tolerable new taste out of “rotten”
fruit. Thousands of years and recorded history details the truth about alcohol and its’ deadly
consequences. This information is only readily available to those who search for it and see the truth for
what it is.
Parenting children on the education of alcohol use could take many different styles. As
mentioned earlier, America and the world consist of many different cultures and races. People having
children are not held accountable for “how” they raise their children unless a crime occurs. Usually, a
child dies, as a result, of a parent/child crime and the result is a light sentence for the parent and the
crime becomes a statistic. In order, to combat societies’ ills, the systems “organizers” must be willing to
enforce realistic changes in our society. The value of children and human development need be
addressed in all facets of the American systems. Government, medical, education, business,
transportation, and religious sectors of our society must understand human development stages from
embryo to death. The human life has essential fundamental needs and must experience “love” for our
species to survive. Workers advocating personal objective views and using their positions to further
their personal agendas in our American systems as a catalyst for propaganda is hurting our children and
our society. Healthy human development involves, consistency, honesty, education, and ongoing
support in all areas of life. Conflicting laws concerning the healthy development of humans adds to the
problem of alcohol abuse. Americans are at the mercy of the legal system in this country and the trickle
effect it has on human development. The medical system is forced to deliver care according to a
person’s “status” and unable to compensate for mistakes society makes everyday in rearing children. As
time moves on, and our society continues its downward spiral, more people turn to alcohol abuse
contracting diseases and medical costs soar. The accountability is with the legal system in America. It is
the legal system that can make the changes and implement new rules and standards regarding healthy
human development.
Alcohol is considered a “drug” of choice. It originally came from “rotten” fruit off the ground. I
would like to point out that “rotten fruit” is poison! If you think about it, why would anyone put
“poison” in their mouths? Just because an ancestor thought to add sugar and ferment it does not
change the fact that the new substance, called alcohol, is not poison. It’s poison with a twist. Ages and
ages of humans have been drinking alcohol thinking it is acceptable and non- threatening. Evidence
shows contrary proof that alcohol is a deadly liquid capable of causing death to humans. There is
absolutely no reason for alcohol to exist other than to make corporations money at human lives
expense. Using Jesus Christ and never substantiating whether the grape juice he used at the Cana
wedding was alcoholic or not really isn’t fair to the world. That, disputable fact continues to be an
argument for religious leaders and young humans to discern. Using Jesus Christ as a personal soul savior
and never substantiate the grape juice theory has created mass emotional confusion in the world.
Accountability for the attitude and original intention of alcohol use could lie in so many places since
Christ times.
Charles Darwin predicted it in his theory of evolution. “Survival of the fittest”, by the process of
natural selection. That statement is true in a lot of ways today. Surviving years of false knowledge and
surviving the enforcement of laws that are created to reward those who propagate false knowledge
would undoubtedly weed out the “fittest”. Today there are many movements searching for answers to
problems with alcohol abuse. These movements are selective and do not apply to all people, races or
cultures. Only the “fittest” make it and survive.
In closing, I would like to reiterate the problem of alcohol abuse in America and the most
effective route at prevention. It starts with people. We have generations of people currently with
beliefs, customs, traditions, and norms. We have laws currently in effect. Our President changes,
usually every 4 years. America needs a constant regarding human development. This is going to require
realistic and concrete changes in our government, schools, medical systems, religious sects, and legal
systems. When choosing to create and develop a human being it should not be taken lightly, and legal
ramifications should be enforced. Drinking “poison” while pregnant, should not be allowed for any
reason. The parent of a new child should take parenting classes and education about substance abuse,
relationships, religious choices, laws, breaking the cycle of generational abuse, as our world continues to
populate and become more susceptible to dangers. This education provided to members of American
society should be truthful and accurate. The effects of alcohol abuse are deadly and begin at home with
parents. America has the choice to continue participating in this cycle or end it once and for all.
