Alcoholism Is A Major Issue - 1413 Words

Alcoholism is a major issue in the United States and has been for many years. It destroys lives drink by drink. â€Å"It is estimated that between 18 million -- or one in 12 adults -- in the U.S. abuse alcohol or are chronic alcoholics. Nearly 100,000 Americans die each year as a result of alcohol abuse, and alcohol is a factor in more than half of the country s homicides, suicides, and traffic accident (Understanding Alcohol Abuse -- the basics).† Alcoholism is caused by genetic, physical, psychological, environmental, and social factors (O Rouke). It occurs often in high-stress careers, which goes hand in hand in the EMS System. EMS personnel experience high-stress situations on every shift. They jeopardize their own lives to help save†¦show more content†¦The physical dependence on alcohol may or may not be obvious to other people. While some chronic alcoholics get very drunk, others exercise enough control to give the appearance of coping with everyday affairs in a near-normal way (Understanding Alcohol Abuse -- the basics).† EMS personnel see things that can be very hard to cope with. Car accidents, child and elderly abuse, are only some of the traumatic sights Medics see. On occasion, they could even go on a call that involves someone they know, like their family, children, friends, co-workers, or even someone they barely know. With these calls, Medics may be forever changed as well as the people. Many of them end up with severe depression (feelings of severe dependency and dejection), anxiety (feelings of worry, nervousness, or unease, typically about an imminent event or something with an uncertain outcome), and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) (mental health condition that’s triggered by a terrifying event – either experiencing it or witnessing it). These mental health disorders can cause abnormal behavior, alcohol or substance abuse, nightmares, flashbacks, uncontrollable thoughts about the event, and suicide. Alcohol dependence is characterized by increased amounts of alcohol needed to produce an effect, withdrawal symptoms (nausea, sweating, irritability, tremors, hallucinations, and seizures when drinking is stopped or reduced), constant craving for