Alcohol and AlcoholismWhen people hear the word "drug," they usually think of an illegal substance like cocaine, heroin, marijuana, or any other drug that l can be found in the street. Most people never consider the fact that alcohol consumption can be just as harmful as illegal drugs, not only to the body, but also to the mind and spirit (#1). If abused consistently, alcohol can be even worse for the person than taking illegal drugs (#5). Irresponsible consumption can destroy a person's life as well as those around them. When people become both physically and psychologically dependent on alcohol, they become alcoholics and suffer from a disease called alcoholism. One denotation of this term is "a pathological condition of the system, brought on by the continued consumption of alcoholic beverages" (Webster's Dictionary, 37). Another definition of this term, given to me by my English teacher, Janet Gould, who is actually a recovering alcoholic, is that alcoholism is a mental addiction and a physical allergy (#3). Alcoholism affects us in one way or another through a parent, sibling, friend, or even personal encounters with a stranger. In fact, “alcoholics can become angry and argumentative, quiet and withdrawn, or depressed. They may also feel more anxious, sad, tense and confused. They then seek relief by drinking more” (Gitlow 175). Alcohol and alcoholism are a major problem. an integral part of our society, which should be recognized and addressed. Additionally, "about 7 percent" of all adults who drink alcohol in the United States today are considered alcoholics or have suffered from some sort of drinking problem in their lifetime (Secretary of the State). health viii). "Although there is no indication of how family members' alcoholism is linked...[through genetics], studies show that approximately 50 to 80 percent of all alcoholics have had a close relative who was an alcoholic” (Caplan 266). Often, alcoholism begins during the high school and college years; However, some adolescents and young adults frequently abuse alcohol and never think about the physical, mental, and emotional consequences that alcohol can have on a person's life (#3). Alcoholism usually begins with social drinking and then a person makes excuses to drink more often (Burgess 13). When alcohol is made more readily available to an individual, such as in a college environment, it increases the risk that they will drink excessively (Ewing 173) (#5).