The Pitfalls of Alcohol

            Alcoholism can cause much damage and pain on a family. Sometimes the effect may be immediate or long term. Children of parents who drink sometimes experience rejection and abandonment. They tend to look to their parents for support but often find that the alcoholic parent is in a drunken state and is unable to render the support that is needed. The children notice the deterioration and dependency on alcohol. Therefore, when they need encouragement or affirmation it is lacking because the drunken parent is unable to provide these pillars to their children.
             Another effect of alcohol on the family is the abuse on the spouse or partner. The alcoholic tends to meet out verbal and physical abuse on the spouse/partner who wishes for them to stop. This may lead to increasing abuse on the partner, be it mental, verbal or physical. My grandmother experienced this with my deceased grandfather. The alcohol would embolden him to speak to her in a degrading manner and when she would speak out against it, he would resort to physical violence. This led to so much tension in the home because you never knew what form of abuse would be forthcoming.
             Another effect of alcoholism on the family is diminishing finances. The alcoholic would look forward to payday only to squander it all on buying more alcohol to satisfy their selfishness. This could result inbasic family nees not being met, such as payment of utility bills as well as grocery items not being provide for the family.
             As it relates to society, alcoholism negatively impacts society. This could result in an increase in criminal activity. Alcohol impairs an individual's ability to resolve conflicts in a peaceful manner. This may lead to dangerous altercations involving weapons which could cause serious bodily harm and fatalities.
             Persons driving under the influence of alcohol create a menace to society. This may result in serious accidents as well as traffic fatalities.