Alcohol

By Johnson Mbabazi

Worldwide, 3 million deaths every year result from harmful use of alcohol, this represent 5.3 % of all deaths according to World Health Organisation (WHO, 2019).The harmful use of alcohol is a causal factor in more than 200 disease and injury conditions. Overall 5.1 % of the global burden of disease and injury is attributable to alcohol, as measured in disability-adjusted life years (DALYs).Alcohol consumption causes death and disability relatively early in life. In the age group 20-39 years approximately 13.5 % of the total deaths are alcohol-attributable. In England alone binge drinking a "scandal" that costs the NHS 2.7billion pounds a year (National Health Service,2012).Globally, the world's biggest beer drinkers (WHO,2019) are Czech Republic - 142.4 litres per capita, Seychelles - 114.6, Austria - 104.7, Germany - 104.7, Namibia - 102.7, Poland - 99, Ireland - 97.5 and Lithuania - 97.1. There is a causal relationship between harmful use of alcohol and a range of mental and behavioural disorders, other non-communicable conditions as well as injuries. The latest causal relationships have been established between harmful drinking and incidence of infectious diseases such as tuberculosis as well as the course of HIV/AIDS. Beyond health consequences, the harmful use of alcohol brings significant social and economic losses to individuals and society at large. Individuals, those who drink alcohol regularly are likely to express aggression and can cause conflict with family members. If someone drinking alcohol drives drunk, they can severely injure themselves or others, putting another's life at danger. Furthermore, death can occur, destroying families. Alcohol has played a big negative impact in communities and nations. There is a great emotional impact of alcohol abuse and alcoholism on families. Alcohol abuse can cause the whole family to feel like they are under constant stress. The family helplessly watches as the drinker seems oblivious to how much he or she is hurting the other members of the family. The use of alcohol is associated with an increased risk of injuries and accidents. Even a single episode of excessive drinking can lead to a negative outcome. It is important for social workers, health promotional specialist, public health specialist, other health practitioners to keep in mind that alcohol and alcohol problems affect the health, safety, and well-being of people. Campaigns about binge drinking are important as they have not only impacted emotional, physical well-being but addiction of alcohol has lead individuals become slaves of their own mind thus no creativity, under-development and early death. Peers have also influenced many people to binge drink to fit in their groups thus difficult for many individuals to stop drinking unfortunately. Thus many people have lost their dignity and integrity trying to please everyone as a result of binge drinking in order to fit into society of other fellow addicts. Unfortunately for many because of bereavement of family members, relationship breakdown, loss of jobs, unemployment, influence of peers, lack of education well as other factors. Even with psychology help using the Trans theoretical Model (TTM) of change. Many individuals have lapsed return to a previous drinking behaviour (usually a onetime occurrence).Others have had a full relapse represents a full-blown return to a pattern of binge drinking behaviour thus suffered alcohol related diseases. Governments must intervene to correct the market failure arising from the negative externalities associated with binge drinking. This would be an excellent opportunity for university students to apply these ideas to the problem of binge drinking and practice their analytical and evaluation skills more hence creating a better generation with critical skills.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1691241113
• ISBN13: 9781691241118
• Release Date: September 2019
• Publisher: Independently Published
• Length: 70 Pages
• Weight: 0.31 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.2" x 6.0" x 9.0"