Alcoholism
Gambling & Alcoholism and Its Effect on Life - Argument Proposal Essay
Gambling and drinking are a big part of our society/culture in the State of Oklahoma and Nationwide. We as individuals, young and old can distinguish/determine what gambling/drinking our future away is and what the decisions that the said individual makes in contributing to giving their money away and assets that belong to hard working people including themselves. There are so many people around this country worldwide that gamble and drink, it’s hard to keep track of the statistics. People are going to do what they do, it doesn’t matter if they live off social security, or some kind of pension they have earned throughout the month and years or even picking up cans to obtain money, people are trying to make nothing into something. Gambling has turned into a new thing, people would rather lose everything on a bet, than to be able to work for themselves and lose their state/ government assistance. Gambling and alcohol abuse run hand and hand when people or individuals make their mind up about what they’re going to do, that’s the American way. There are so many families that do without because a parent, loved one or guardian spends or loses all the support money for electricity, food, clothing or other necessities needed to function, for the quick high. Just like drugs and alcohol abuse or other addictions that can affect our families today because some people don’t think or care about the ones that matter the most. Today drinking is just what a lot of Americans and people around the world do. As individuals we celebrate all kinds of special occasions, holidays, and even death in some cases that allows us to give in to our weakness by drinking away our emotions and feeling that allows us to try and carry on with good or bad thoughts and find some normalcy in their lives. Alcoholism, its signs, symptoms, effects, and the way it affects the individual on a personal level as well as family, friends, and other relations. How does an individual become an alcoholic? An individual becomes an alcoholic by consuming alcohol, an intoxicating ingredient that is present in wine, beer, moonshine, and other spirits for a long time. It is a depressant that has negative effects on the body and the most used substance by teenagers and adults in the United States today. The definition of Alcoholism is a disease characterized by the habitual intake of alcohol and the degree of usage that interferes with physical or mental health, and with normal social or work behavior. (Tracy 2021, HealthyPlace) It also produces both psychological and physical addictions that affect individual’s central nervous system that reduces anxiety, inhibition, and the feeling of guilt. (Tracy, N. 2021, December 15) This disease gradually develops over time and is also known to be hereditary and can be passed on from generation to generation. The consumption of alcohol by young adults has always been a problem in this country dating all the way back to the thirties during the prohibition and it continues to this day. What makes alcohol so easy to consume for adults is that moderate use is usually not harmful, but studies over the years have shown around eighteen million or more people in America have drinking issues or problems that have led to obtaining this disease. An individual is not physically dependent of alcohol, but it causes the person to have cravings the feeling that they need a drink, also the loss of control not being able to stop drinking once they get started, and then the individual builds up a tolerance in which explains that the person needs to consume more alcohol to feel the same affects, what started as a six pack to get a buzz or drunk, now has turned into a twelve pack in order to get the overall relaxed feeling. While feelings are short lived, consuming too much alcohol can cause not only health issues but can also affect home, work, school, social functions and can cause future legal issues that are very expensive in today’s criminal justice system. Not only is drinking or consuming to much alcohol in a short period of time or over long periods of time dangerous, but it can cause death, from damage to the human anatomy, car crashes due to being drunk or inebriated, injuries sustained in an accident from being intoxicated, being involved in a fight or altercation that leads to a death or homicide that the outcome was dictated by an individual drinking or being drunk at the time of the situation, and one the worst situations that an individual can find themselves in while drinking is having an emotional break down of feeling that leads to that person committing suicide and nobody wins in a situation like that, everyone hurts. “It was squashing and interfering with my experience. And it created a numbness around me and inside of me—even when I wasn't drinking.” (McKowen, L. 2020) Some of the signs we as family members, friends, acquaintances, and co-workers should acknowledge or be aware of in individuals we care about and recognize that there is a serious issue or problem in which are not easy to see are, if the individual begins to hide alcohol, sneaks drinks and becomes very secretive towards people that are in their inner circle about their consumption of alcohol. Other signs are the individual drinking alone most everyday no matter what their mood is or drinking before an occasion that there will be alcohol served to get their buzz before other people can partake in the event. Everybody is different in how they handle their drinking issues/ problems or alcoholism by living in denial within themselves and sometimes they become irritated when others see the signs and bring them to their attention in terms that person will dispute or argue that they don’t have a drinking problem and then become distant from that person or group. There are numerous symptoms an individual shows that they have alcohol abuse/problems/issues or even an alcoholic when they give up hobbies, activities they once enjoyed, their wanting to spend more time drinking than being social in their surroundings such as community or family functions, wanting to drink more than other people combine in the crowd and people start to notice so they start to label that individual as the drunkard and this type of behavior diminishes relationships. Some people have a high tolerance for alcohol, and some don’t. Individuals with intolerance to alcohol usually show signs of facial flushing, slurred speech, drowsiness, nausea and vomiting in the early stage of consumption that leads to low body temperature, low blood pressure, slow breathing, distortion of their senses and perception and can also lead to that person becoming unconscious. Any person who drinks occasionally or all the time is susceptible to alcohol poisoning also and its effects usually send that person to the hospital where their stay can last a while. If the person is lucky after drinking a few or a lot of alcoholic beverages that don’t send them to the emergency room, there comes the realization that a hangover is soon to happen no matter what their tolerance level. These effects of alcohol can linger up to twenty-four hours after consumption many of the symptoms are caused from dehydration because the body is still trying to get rid of the toxins in tell leaves the individual having an headache for a long period of time, feeling very fatigued, thirsty from being dehydrated that leads to dry mouth, the individual will also feel like their heart is racing, and they will have a hard time dealing with sleeping and restlessness. It is recommended that an individual that shows the effect of a hangover waits at least two days to one week before indulging in alcohol consumption to allow their body to recover and that goes for any negative response of the body to the overuse of alcohol. Alcohol use is very hard on the body if conducted irresponsibly it first affects the stomach that absorbs around twenty percent of the alcohol intake that can lead to having stomach ulcers in the future, then the small intestine absorbs seventy five percent and within minutes it is absorbed in the blood stream by the blood vessels then it travels to the brain were the sensation begins to be felt by the individual and the other five percent exits through the lungs, kidneys and the skin. Now let’s talk about the real effects of alcohol on human anatomy. Drinking or consuming alcohol occasionally or over long periods of time really and harmfully breaks the body down externally and internally. Alcohol affects the brain by interfering with communication pathways. It also can change mood and behavior patterns of the individual not to be able to think clearly and make rational decisions. It also enables the person to move or have coordination problems and it also leads to short and long memory loss. Alcohol abuse over time can lead to brain cancer and nerve damage in people without them even knowing until it’s too late. Long term use of alcohol really takes a toll on the heart too causing problems like cardiomyopathy that is a stretching and drooping of the heart muscle that if caught or detected early doctors can determine the correct surgery, but if not caught in early stage of development can lead to sudden death for that individual. Arrhythmias is an irregular heartbeat that is also caused by consumption of too many alcoholic beverages over time that can lead to a stroke for a person due to high blood pressure that may have gone undiagnosed in that persons young or old life because they didn’t feel the effects of their abuse and didn’t see a doctor or physician regularly. Heavy drinking is hard on the liver, it’s the organ that oxidizes all liquids/substances can come into the body. Problems that occur with the liver include inflammation that contributes to steatosis or fatty liver is infiltration of liver cells with fat that are associated with the disturbance of the metabolism. Cirrhosis of the liver is another problem an alcoholic has to deal with, this chronic disease is degeneration of cells, also details inflammation, and thickening of tissue, and scarring. Other chronic infections that affect the liver are hepatitis B and C and are major causes of cancer. One sign that an individual is affected by cirrhosis is they get yellowing of the skin known as jaundice. Alcoholic hepatitis is another severe condition that affects the liver and is considered rare in most cases but if diagnosed it can be mild or severe but in most cases, it is reversable if the individual quiets drinking, but if not can lead to life threating circumstances.
Kafka: The Influence of Family History on an Individual's Predisposition to Alcoholism. - Essay 2 Rhetorical Analysis
Franz Kafka was a German-speaking novelist and short story writer from Bohemia, now part of the Czech Republic who struggled with anxiety and depression, who lived from 1883 to 1924. He is regarded as one of the most significant authors of the 20th century, mainly known for his exploration of complex themes in his literary works. Kafka's writing often conveys a unique blend of dark humor and tragedy, emphasizing the absurdity of the human condition. These themes are relevant not only to Kafka's time but also resonate with contemporary readers, as they reflect ongoing concerns about authority, identity, and the individual's place within society. Many of Kafka’s writings were based on his own personal experiences. Characters in Kafka's stories often feel alienated and powerless, mirroring his personal struggles with self-worth and societal pressures. This connection between his life experiences and his literary themes illustrates Kafka's introspective nature and helps contextualize his perceptions. Kafka's letters and diaries frequently reveal his internal conflicts and anxiety about how he was viewed by others, confirming that he indeed saw himself through a lens of weakness and inadequacy. Considering that Kafka shared characteristics consistent with depression, and even though he did not have alcoholism, he would have agreed alcoholism was a social epidemic. With Kafka, even beer comes with baggage (Martyris, 2016) “I no longer know if I wish to drown myself in love, vodka or the sea.” (Kafka, p. 14) Kafka may not have ever been diagnosed back then with alcoholism, but looking at now his life could have easily been reliant on alcohol from the relationship he had with his father and the way he felt people seen him. Kafka would agree that alcoholism is a social epidemic that stems from family relationships, the way we feel others see us, and how we see ourselves. Even though we all may not realize it but the way we treat and portray others plays a significant role in their lives and well-being. “I cannot make you understand. I cannot make anyone understand what is happening inside me. I cannot even explain it to myself.” Addiction is seen as a chronic disease that can permanently alter the brain's neural structure, leading individuals to become driven to use drugs and/or alcohol. Alcoholism is an addiction and not seen as something that is entirely beyond a person's control or something that they are not responsible for. While alcoholism does involve changes in the brain that can make it difficult to stop abusing alcohol, the Enlightenment view emphasizes personal responsibility and the belief that individuals have the power to make choices that can lead to overcoming alcoholism. Major perspectives on addiction are organized into the four general categories: moral, medical, compensatory, and enlightenment. Brickman et al. (1982) derived these four models to describe attribution of responsibility for problems based on the combination of who or what is viewed as causing the problem and who is seen as responsible for solving the problem. In Franz Kafka writings his themes of identity, isolation, and the absurdity of human existence are woven throughout the story, making it a critical examination of how individuals confront their own realities amidst overwhelming detachment from society. Ultimately, "The Refusal" serves as a reflection of Kafka's broader literary exploration of the human condition, echoing his other works that resonate with feelings of alienation and existential dread. The central argument against the cause of addiction being purely genetic, in the context of the article 'Rat Park Addiction: The View from Rat Park', (Alexander, 2010) lies in a more nuanced understanding of the interaction between genetics and environmental factors. The author asserts that while genetic predisposition may play a role in addiction, it is not the sole determinant. Crucially, environmental factors like socialization, stress, and personal experiences, may affect the onset, progression, and maintenance of addiction as well. Kafka's letters and diaries frequently reveal his internal conflicts and anxiety about how he was viewed by others, confirming that he indeed saw himself through a lens of weakness and inadequacy. Kafka recounts one particularly traumatic incident when one night as a young boy, he kept crying for water — “not, I am certain, because I was thirsty, but probably partly to be annoying, partly to amuse myself,” he explains with that learned reality-questioning apologism he carried into adulthood. (Popova, 2015) Franz Kafka had a very difficult relationship with his father. He found him to be overbearing, dominating and distant. He explored this situation in his literature, and the nature of the relationship has also been expressed in The Metamorphosis. In this book, Gregor also finds his father to be an unkind, dominating figure who is also a very powerful force in Gregor's life. Due to family expectations and personal responsibility stands out in The Metamorphosis. Kafka effectively illustrates how societal and familial pressures can lead to profound feelings of isolation. (Kafka and Corngold 1) Kafka's portrayal of Gregor's psychological turmoil and his family's gradual rejection reveals much about the nature of human relationships and the impact of societal expectations which in the world today would influence someone to rely on alcohol to hide how they often feel alienated and powerless, mirroring his personal struggles with self-worth and societal pressures. This connection between his life experiences and his literary themes illustrates Kafka's introspective nature and helps contextualize his perceptions. In The Metamorphosis Kafka's inability to settle on a simple transformation for Gregor metaphorically represents his own creative struggles and the pressures of expectation he faced as a writer. This indecision and absurdity mirror themes found in Kafka's broader works, showcasing how personal conflict and existential dread are central to his genius. One of the early excerpts shows Grete's compassion for Gregor after his transformation. Despite the shock, she tried to connect with him by coming into his room softly: (Kafka and Corngold 1) "[His sister] came in on tiptoe, as if she were visiting someone seriously ill or perhaps even a stranger." (2.7) This moment reveals her initial protective instinct, treating Gregor as someone vulnerable and in need of care. Deterioration of Relationship: Later in the story, Grete's feelings shift dramatically. After she becomes responsible for Gregor's care and starts feeling burdened, she ultimately rejects him: "She refused to call him her brother and insisted that he has to be disposed of just like any old household pets.” (2.22) This quote indicates her complete emotional transformation, as she moves from affection to frustration and finally to rejection, illustrating how care for Gregor becomes a tedious task that she resents. Overall, these excerpts encapsulate Grete's transformation from a supportive sister to someone who sees Gregor as a burden, reflecting her personal evolution throughout the narrative. This is how most people who are addicted to alcohol feel others see and treat them and continue to rely on alcohol to get through life. Kafka was not a heavy drinker, but, as he ironically said, a 'passionate drinker’ “The common drinking became a comforting symbol, a symbol of the closeness he had always missed," Beer made everything better. Father and son "had no common interests, no common language, and they almost never did anything in common," (Martyris, 2016). Kafka's "The Metamorphosis" reflects his life through the strained relationship between Gregor and his father, showcasing themes of alienation and authority. Kafka's own challenging familial dynamics impact Gregor's tragic existence. This relationship highlights Kafka’s feelings of powerlessness and his struggle for identity. Both excerpts from Franz Kafka's The Metamorphosis explore the theme of alienation, particularly in the context of family dynamics. In the story, Gregor Samsa's transformation into an insect serves as a potent metaphor for his feeling of disconnection from those around him, especially his family. Gregor's physical transformation leads him to feel increasingly alienated not only from his family but also from his own identity. Initially, he feels a sense of duty to support his family. However, as his condition deteriorates, he realizes that he has become a burden, generating feelings of shame and isolation. This shift highlights how familial bonds can fray when one member is unable to meet social and economic expectations. Throughout these passages, Gregor struggles with his sense of responsibility towards his family. Even after his transformation, he worries about how his new form affects their lives (Kafka and Corngold 1). For instance, he tries to remain calm and support their emotional needs, even though his presence has now become a source of discomfort for them. This showcases a deep internal conflict between his desire to contribute and the reality of his situation. In conclusion, Kafka may not have ever been diagnosed back then with alcoholism, but looking at now his life could have easily been reliant on alcohol from the relationship he had with his father and the way he felt people seen him. Kafka would agree that alcoholism is a social epidemic that stems from family relationships, the way we feel others see us, and how we see ourselves. Even though we all may not realize it but the way we treat and portray others plays a significant role in their lives and well-being. “I cannot make you understand. I cannot make anyone understand what is happening inside me. I cannot even explain it to myself.”
Reflection Essay
The Composition II class has greatly enhanced my preparedness for writing research papers, improved my analytical and synthesis skills, and increased my confidence as a writer. I now approach writing tasks with a structured methodology and understand the significance of feedback and revision. Reflecting on my progress, I recognize the importance of learning from mistakes and actively engaging with peers for further growth. This class served as a foundational course designed to enhance my writing skills and prepared me for more advanced academic writing. Reflecting on my journey through the Composition II class has been both insightful and transformative from writing an essay on a current social issue, where you analyze different viewpoints and support your position with evidence from your research. Reflecting on what I have learned from this English Composition course through readings such as "The Birds" and “The Metamorphosis " involves understanding the intricacies of character development, the importance of philosophical themes, and examining personal growth as a writer. I also enjoyed writing my Rhetorical Analysis essay on Franz Kafka. Many of Kafka’s writings were based on his own personal experiences. Characters in Kafka's stories often feel alienated and powerless, mirroring his personal struggles with self-worth and societal pressures. What we all struggle with in our own daily lives. 1.Preparedness for Research Papers: Before taking this class, I often approached research papers with trepidation. Now, I feel significantly more equipped to tackle any research paper that comes my way. The structured approach taught in class has instilled a systematic method for writing. I now understand how to thoroughly outline my papers, develop strong thesis statements, and integrate multiple perspectives into my argument. Additionally, I've learned the value of time management in breaking down larger projects into manageable steps, ensuring I stay on track and meet deadlines. 2.Improvement as a Writer: My growth as a writer is evident in several ways. Firstly, I have become more confident in articulating my thoughts and presenting them clearly. Through consistent practice, I have honed my ability to analyze sources critically and synthesize information effectively. My revisions have also improved; I am now able to see my writing from a reader’s perspective, making necessary adjustments to enhance clarity and coherence. Moreover, participating in peer reviews has helped me recognize the importance of feedback in the writing process and has enriched my editing skills. 3.Advice to My Past Self: If I could offer myself advice at the beginning of this class, it would be to embrace the process of learning rather than fear mistakes. Writing is inherently iterative, and each paper is an opportunity to develop both essential skills and personal voice. I would encourage myself to ask questions more often and actively seek feedback from peers and instructors. Engaging with my classmates in discussions about their writing and learning from their insights could only accelerate my growth. In conclusion, the Composition II class has armed me with tools and strategies to approach research papers with confidence. I have improved not just in writing, but in my overall approach to learning and critical thinking. The experience has been invaluable, and I look forward to applying these skills in future writing endeavors.
