Excessive alcohol use has become a problem of epidemic proportions in the United States over the last several years and the negative effects are far reaching. It has become a serious threat to both the economic and public health security our nation. According to a study recently published in the American Journal of Preventative Medicine, excessive alcohol consumption includes, “underage and maternal drinking”, “heavy drinking”, and “binge drinking” (Sacks, Gonzales, Bouchery, Tomedi, & Brewer, 2015). Excessive alcohol use has a crippling trickle up effect that starts with the individual and moves up through their friends and family, to the community, and eventually the nation as a whole. While the negative effects of excessive alcohol consumption
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While overall alcohol attributable deaths may seem low in comparison to chronic diseases like cancer, excessive drinking (even if a former drinker has been abstinent for years) can lead to a multitude of negative health consequences. These adverse health effects include (but are not limited to): diabetes, liver disease, fetal alcohol syndrome, high blood pressure, sexually transmitted infections, alcohol poisoning, unintentional injuries, sexual dysfunction, neurological damage, intentional injuries, cancer, heart disease, etc. ("CDC - ARDI - Alcohol-Related Disease Impact - Home Page," n.d.). One of the most negative and immediate effects of excessive alcohol consumption is its devastating effect on the immune system. The overconsumption of alcohol can weaken the immune system, leaving the body much more susceptible to disease. Binge drinking can slow your body’s ability to fight off infection for up twenty-four hours after becoming intoxicated. This can be exceptionally devastating to someone who already has a weakened immune system like the elderly, HIV positive individuals, and people undergoing cancer treatment. The homeless are also at greater risk due to exposure to unclean environments and adverse weather conditions ("Alcohol's effects on the body | National Institute on Alcohol Abuse …show more content…
However, it is important that we point out some of the key risk factors that transcend most sub-categories. Simply being a college student is a risk factor for excessive alcohol consumption. It is well known that a culture of binge drinking exists on most college campuses in the United States. This has been a problem for decades and a burden to college administrators nationwide. While this particular risk factor does not necessarily transcend all sub-categories it is important enough that it should garner a great deal of attention. Other important risk factors include: impulsivity, sensation seeking, genetic predisposition, low-self efficacy, favorable attitudes towards use, increased tolerance, peer pressure, lack of spirituality, family history of alcoholism, wet environments, ease of access to alcohol, and high socioeconomic status ("Factors associated with binge drinking in adolescents," 2015). While the last risk factor listed “high socioeconomic status” might seem like a typo, it is not. According to a study previously mentioned which appeared in the American Journal of Preventative Medicine, most excessive alcohol use is by individuals who make $75,000 a year or more and students who hail from wealthy families (Sacks et al.,
While overall alcohol attributable deaths may seem low in comparison to chronic diseases like cancer, excessive drinking (even if a former drinker has been abstinent for years) can lead to a multitude of negative health consequences. These adverse health effects include (but are not limited to): diabetes, liver disease, fetal alcohol syndrome, high blood pressure, sexually transmitted infections, alcohol poisoning, unintentional injuries, sexual dysfunction, neurological damage, intentional injuries, cancer, heart disease, etc. ("CDC - ARDI - Alcohol-Related Disease Impact - Home Page," n.d.). One of the most negative and immediate effects of excessive alcohol consumption is its devastating effect on the immune system. The overconsumption of alcohol can weaken the immune system, leaving the body much more susceptible to disease. Binge drinking can slow your body’s ability to fight off infection for up twenty-four hours after becoming intoxicated. This can be exceptionally devastating to someone who already has a weakened immune system like the elderly, HIV positive individuals, and people undergoing cancer treatment. The homeless are also at greater risk due to exposure to unclean environments and adverse weather conditions ("Alcohol's effects on the body | National Institute on Alcohol Abuse …show more content…
However, it is important that we point out some of the key risk factors that transcend most sub-categories. Simply being a college student is a risk factor for excessive alcohol consumption. It is well known that a culture of binge drinking exists on most college campuses in the United States. This has been a problem for decades and a burden to college administrators nationwide. While this particular risk factor does not necessarily transcend all sub-categories it is important enough that it should garner a great deal of attention. Other important risk factors include: impulsivity, sensation seeking, genetic predisposition, low-self efficacy, favorable attitudes towards use, increased tolerance, peer pressure, lack of spirituality, family history of alcoholism, wet environments, ease of access to alcohol, and high socioeconomic status ("Factors associated with binge drinking in adolescents," 2015). While the last risk factor listed “high socioeconomic status” might seem like a typo, it is not. According to a study previously mentioned which appeared in the American Journal of Preventative Medicine, most excessive alcohol use is by individuals who make $75,000 a year or more and students who hail from wealthy families (Sacks et al.,