Malicious Malibu

Alcohol is known to tear apart relationships by not only causing damage to the person addicted, but to friends and family close to the addict. Marill, a child of an alcoholic, shares the pain alcohol caused while she was growing up. She writes, “As long as I can remember my mum has been drinking.” “…she has taught me to never rely on anybody. I hate coming home from school and seeing her lying unconscious on the couch with food dribbled down her chest and an empty wine glass next to her.” “We constantly don’t have enough food because she spends all the grocery money on alcohol, and then blames my dad for not giving her enough.” “She constantly puts him down, says he's a horrible person, and during the times when she gives the slightest indication of accepting what she is, she blames my father, saying that he pushes her to drink because he deprives her of money, and is abusive.” “I just wish she would listen and let us help her ("Experience Project").” Alcohol abuse dangerously leads to alcoholism which is defined as a disease, and like most diseases it takes time and a willingness to overcome.

Throughout the world, people mainly drink for sociability (StraightDUI Staff). Many people would say that alcohol allows one to forget about problems, relieve themselves from emotional pain and allow one to feel happier. It's typical for people to ignore how the early effects of alcohol persuade them to want more, especially because it creates a level of euphoria (StraightDUI Staff). Those who are awkward around others notice that after a few drinks, have the confidence to socialize. With this in mind, people often turn to alcohol to relieve themselves from depression, stress, and really anything that leads to discomfort.  At first, alcohol appears to ease physical and emotional pain; however, after drinking more one will only increase those problems. Alcohol can only temporarily release people from their pain, yet many fail to realize this. Nevertheless, numerous people become addicted to alcohol. Addiction is caused after a person allows themselves to be controlled by the substance versus controlling whatever substance they choose to consume. People become addicted to the way alcohol makes them feel, and because of that, they continue to drink becoming an addict. (StraightDUI Staff). There are many ways for people to be social other than choosing a direction that can possibly lead them to their death bed.

            Washington State, similar to the rest of the population of the world, has a great issue with the abuse of drugs and alcohol. Although the government tries to control these substances, people find ways to get around certain laws. Statistics for Washington state point out that in 2003, "6.94% were dependent on or abusing alcohol or illicit drugs..." Some may argue that laws upon alcohol aren't enforced enough today, resulting in the corruption of good people. Furthermore, our economy suffers from the problems alcohol causes. Due to the lack of promoting ways to prevent one from experiencing desperation from consuming too much alcohol, those in charge of the state's money seem to overlook the larger cost of substance abuse. Statistics note, "Studies have estimated that every dollar spent on prevention can save seven dollars in costs due to substance abuse." People repeatedly refuse to recognize how much of our taxes go towards issues that can be stopped with the right procedures. It is also mentioned that "The total economic costs to society from alcohol and drug abuse were estimated at $276 billion nationally in 2001. Untreated addiction is more expensive than heart disease, diabetes, and cancer combined." The abuse of alcohol as well as other drugs has impacted the way society is nowadays, however, throughout history, alcohol has always been somewhat of an issue. As a result, alcoholism is a harmful disease. People are unable to distinguish how dangerous drinking can be. Through research, statistics have proved that "Substance abuse is the number one preventable cause of disabilities and deaths in the United States." With more knowledge and restraint, we could be using millions of dollars towards something more purposeful.

        In an interview with Pippa Breakspear, I was able to better understand the life changing effects alcohol has upon people as well as the recovery process. Breakspear is a Chemical Dependency Specialist and has the ability to connect with alcoholics since she is also in the process of recovering. When asked what her major goal through counseling was, she replied, “To support my clients, meet them where they are, treat them with compassion and positive regard, that they feel respected and that they matter.” A large step of the recovery process was for alcoholics to have support in order to see the bigger better picture of life sober. Likewise, it’s important that certain issues are addressed during the recovery process. Breakspear mentions, “Once a person stops drinking/using, everything bubbles to the surface. It's different for everyone, but some of the issues are trauma, childhood or adult abuse, verbal, sexual, physical, grief and loss, low self-esteem, relationship issues, you name it, they come up.” In many cases people drown their feelings with the use of alcohol, ignoring obstacles that impact their lives dramatically. Moreover, alcoholism is a disease that governments and people view as a crime instead of searching for ways to treat those who obtain it. Breakspear notified me of this point when she said, “In the big picture, addiction is still being addressed and viewed by our culture as a morality issue, as we continue to lock people up and punish them for having a disease. We don't do that with diabetics or those with heart disease, many of whose problems are also created by lifestyle choices. If we spent half the money on long term treatment, therapy and case management as opposed to building more prisons we would be dealing with this issue far more effectively; but we're a long way from that.” This statement opened my eyes, allowing me to understand how terrible alcoholism truly is.  The recovery process for those to suffer from alcohol abuse definitely is life changing; those who once were or still are addicted, face the strenuous battle of fighting for a better life through recovery.

            Luckily, Washington’s issue with alcoholism doesn’t even compare to the United Kingdom’s problem with alcohol. For instance, “The UK is one of the top ten in the world for alcohol consumption per head of population and alcohol abuse is clearly escalating (Partners in Patient Care).”

Works Cited

 

"Bleh: I Am the Child of An Alcoholic Story & Experience." Experience Project.

            Experience Project Inc. 06 Feb 2012. Web. 14 Mar. 2012.

<http://www.experienceproject.com/stories/Am-The-Child-Of-An-Alco

holic/2047936>.

 

Breakspear, Pippa. Chemical Dependency Specialist. Personal Interview. 14 Mar 2012.

 

Partners in Patient Care. "Alcohol Abuse Facts and Statistics." Drug-Aware. Drug-Aware Ltd.,

            2002-2012. Web. 13 Mar 2012. <http://www.drug-aware.com/alcohol-abuse-facts-

            statistics.htm>.

 

StraightDUI Staff . "Why Do People Turn To Alcohol?." Straight DUI. StraightDUI,

07 Mar 2012. Web. 14 Mar 2012.