The Effects of Alcoholism

Recently alcoholism’s effect on the aboriginal community has been a huge topic of debate because of the negative consequences these communities have been suffering which has made unemployment and other social problems more prevalent.

But alcoholism is not limited to disenfranchised communities, they can affect people from any social standing or background.

Alcoholism is a universal problem and scientists believe that an addictive gene present in some people makes them more vulnerable to developing an addiction.

Not only does alcohol affect a person’s health, cause accidents and diseases etc, it also has an effect on the wider community.  A range of adverse social consequences exist for both the over-drinker and for others in the community. These consequences include harm to family members, children and to friends and workmates, as well as to bystanders and strangers occasionally. The entertainment districts are an example of the harm that can be done to innocent people who are in the wrong place at the wrong time and fall victim to alcohol fuelled violence, assaults and brawls.

Adverse effects on the community include noise, litter, offensive behaviour, vandalism, aggression, petty crime, assaults and major road safety issues. In fact drink driving is one of the greatest causes of deaths on our roads and especially affects the teenage population, according to statistics.

Alcohol is often linked to an increase in crime, with studies suggesting that alcohol is involved in up to half of all violent crimes like domestic violence.

So alcohol servers have a responsibility to keep excessive amounts of alcohol out of the hands of alcoholics. Be cautious, alert and remember your RSA training because if you don’t, you are contributing to these negative consequences on the community.