Difference between revisions of "Alcohol abuse"

From Conservapedia
Jump to: navigation, search
(Godlessness and alcohol abuse)
(Atheism and alcoholism)
Line 34: Line 34:
 
=== Secular countries/regions and alcoholism ===
 
=== Secular countries/regions and alcoholism ===
  
Europe:  
+
'''Secular Europe:'''
 +
 
 +
According to the [[World Health Organization]]'s (WHO) regional office in [[Europe]], "The WHO European Region has the highest proportion in the world of total ill health and premature death due to alcohol.<ref>[http://www.euro.who.int/en/health-topics/disease-prevention/alcohol-use/data-and-statistics World Health Organization's (WHO) regional office in Europe - Alcohol usage of Europe]</ref>
  
 
*[[Secular Europe and alcoholism]]
 
*[[Secular Europe and alcoholism]]
Line 53: Line 55:
  
  
Australia:  
+
'''Australia:'''
 +
 
 +
An Australian National Council on Drugs (ANCD) report indicated that 20% of Australians drink at levels putting them at risk of lifetime harm.<ref>[http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-11-20/alcohol-to-blame-for-one-in-eight-deaths---report/5102594 One in eight deaths of young Australians attributable to alcohol: National Council on Drugs report] By Jane Mower, Updated 19 Nov 2013, 7:28pm</ref>
  
 
*[[Godless Australia and alcoholism]]
 
*[[Godless Australia and alcoholism]]
Line 59: Line 63:
  
 
[[File:04656 market in Sanok.JPG|thumbnail|250px|right|[[Alcoholism]] was a serious social problem in the former atheistic [[Soviet Union]].<ref>http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18245818</ref> Between 1940 and 1980, this [[atheist state]] had the largest increase of the amount of alcohol usage in the developed world.<ref>[http://isw.sagepub.com/content/35/4/441.extract Alcoholism in the Soviet Union]</ref>]]
 
[[File:04656 market in Sanok.JPG|thumbnail|250px|right|[[Alcoholism]] was a serious social problem in the former atheistic [[Soviet Union]].<ref>http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18245818</ref> Between 1940 and 1980, this [[atheist state]] had the largest increase of the amount of alcohol usage in the developed world.<ref>[http://isw.sagepub.com/content/35/4/441.extract Alcoholism in the Soviet Union]</ref>]]
Asian countries:  
+
'''Asian countries:'''
  
 
*[[Atheistic China and alcoholism]]
 
*[[Atheistic China and alcoholism]]
Line 70: Line 74:
  
  
History of communism:  
+
'''History of communism:'''
 +
 
 +
[[Alcoholism]] was a serious social problem in the former atheistic [[Soviet Union]].<ref>http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18245818</ref> Between 1940 and 1980, this [[atheist state]] had the largest increase of the amount of alcohol usage in the developed world.<ref>[http://isw.sagepub.com/content/35/4/441.extract Alcoholism in the Soviet Union]</ref>
  
 
*[[Soviet Union and alcoholism]]
 
*[[Soviet Union and alcoholism]]
Line 87: Line 93:
 
*[[Irreligion, millenials and alcoholism]]
 
*[[Irreligion, millenials and alcoholism]]
  
=== Binge drinking and brain damage ===
+
== Binge drinking and brain damage ===
  
 
A 2012 study suggests that a habit of binge drink risks serious brain damage including increasing memory loss later in adulthood.<ref>http://alcoholism.about.com/cs/binge/a/aa000818a.htm</ref><ref>http://www.scripps.edu/newsandviews/e_20121022/koob.html</ref>
 
A 2012 study suggests that a habit of binge drink risks serious brain damage including increasing memory loss later in adulthood.<ref>http://alcoholism.about.com/cs/binge/a/aa000818a.htm</ref><ref>http://www.scripps.edu/newsandviews/e_20121022/koob.html</ref>

Revision as of 03:01, February 8, 2015

Alcohol abuse is a problem that encompasses more than alcoholism (a chronic, lifelong acquired disease in which a person is dependent upon alcohol); one can abuse alcohol without being dependent on its effects.[1] Over 17 million people in the United States are either alcohol abusers or alcoholics. Alcohol abuse is a problem for people of all demographics, but is highest among people aged 18-29. People who start drinking at a young age are much more likely to become alcohol abusers than people who do not start drinking until the age of 21, but there is little objective, independent evidence to suggest a correlation. In 1984, President Ronald Reagan threatened to veto the Democratic House of Representatives' bill that would federally raise the drinking age to 21, citing states' rights concerns.

Since the drinking age was raised to a nationally uniform 21, drunk driving-related deaths have dropped substantially, at almost the same percentage as driving-related deaths that do not involve alcohol. Drinking age opponents and independent studies suggest that vehicle safety, seatbelt wearing, and increased use of designated drivers account for the substantial decrease in alcohol- and non-alcohol-related driving deaths. Furthermore, the trend started in 1969 but plateaued in the mid- to -late-1990's when cops 'n shops programs became popular. However, the introduction of cops 'n shops and slowing of the decrease in drunk driving deaths may be unrelated.

Health effects

The health effects of alcohol abuse are well documented and range from mild to severe. Effects include:

  • chronic liver damage
  • reduced memory and brain function
  • Stomach ulcers
  • Heart disease

Withdrawal

Alcohol withdrawal (colloquially known as "The DTs") can vary in extremes from minor shakes and discomfort to full blown seizures, hallucinations and even death in some cases. The level of withdrawal is correlated to the amount one drinks over length of time. Symptoms include:

  • insomnia
  • irritability
  • tremors of the extremities (particularly hands)
  • seizures
  • intense cravings for alcohol
  • hallucinations
  • coma
  • death (in severe cases)

Treatment

Conservative values are an excellent way to combat alcohol abuse.

Atheism and alcoholism

According to the World Health Organization's (WHO) regional office in Europe, "The WHO European Region has the highest proportion in the world of total ill health and premature death due to alcohol.[2]

See also: Atheism and alcoholism

Atheists and atheistic cultures often have significant problems with excess alcohol usage (For more information please see: Atheism and alcoholism).

Secular countries/regions and alcoholism

Secular Europe:

According to the World Health Organization's (WHO) regional office in Europe, "The WHO European Region has the highest proportion in the world of total ill health and premature death due to alcohol.[3]


Australia:

An Australian National Council on Drugs (ANCD) report indicated that 20% of Australians drink at levels putting them at risk of lifetime harm.[4]


Alcoholism was a serious social problem in the former atheistic Soviet Union.[5] Between 1940 and 1980, this atheist state had the largest increase of the amount of alcohol usage in the developed world.[6]

Asian countries:


History of communism:

Alcoholism was a serious social problem in the former atheistic Soviet Union.[7] Between 1940 and 1980, this atheist state had the largest increase of the amount of alcohol usage in the developed world.[8]


Irreligion, alcoholism and various generations in the United States


Recent generations in the United States:

Binge drinking and brain damage =

A 2012 study suggests that a habit of binge drink risks serious brain damage including increasing memory loss later in adulthood.[9][10]

Currently, there is a downward trend in intelligence scores in secular countries (see: Intelligence trends in religious countries and secular countries).

Atheism, binge drinking and suicide

Binge drinking is a potent risk factor for suicide.[11] Atheists have a higher suicide rate than the general population.

References

  1. http://www.niaaa.nih.gov/FAQs/General-English/default.htm#whatis
  2. World Health Organization's (WHO) regional office in Europe - Alcohol usage of Europe
  3. World Health Organization's (WHO) regional office in Europe - Alcohol usage of Europe
  4. One in eight deaths of young Australians attributable to alcohol: National Council on Drugs report By Jane Mower, Updated 19 Nov 2013, 7:28pm
  5. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18245818
  6. Alcoholism in the Soviet Union
  7. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18245818
  8. Alcoholism in the Soviet Union
  9. http://alcoholism.about.com/cs/binge/a/aa000818a.htm
  10. http://www.scripps.edu/newsandviews/e_20121022/koob.html
  11. O'Connell, H; Lawlor, BA (October–December 2005). "Recent alcohol intake and suicidality--a neuropsychological perspective". Irish journal of medical science 174 (4): 51–4

See also