The Social and Economic Impact of Alcohol Consumption

Alcoholism
Name
Institution
Due Date
Alcoholism
Introduction
Alcohol consumption is associated with different harmful activities for the drinker, their immediate environment as well as the society at large. Alcohol plays a substantial role in the various domestic violence-related incidences. However, the relationship that exists between alcohol and the aspect of domestic violence seems complex with the precise role of alcohol being not very clear. There are higher possibilities that drinking alcohol often impairs the level of psychological performance of an individual therefore; leaving a lasting effect on the family as a whole. There exist substantial mental health problems that the family can easily be subjected to that include anxiety, fear as well as depression. In societies that are influenced by western culture, alcohol has often been considered as one of the major avenues that contribute to the existence of deviant behaviors that range from disorderliness, social disruptiveness that threaten order and safety to the society. Such cases are widely considered amongst the general public, criminal justice system, health care system, welfare agencies as well as community authorities. All these systems ascend to the fact that there is a necessity to control the rate and level of alcohol consumption (Fernandez et al., 2019).
Functionalist perspective
The impact of alcoholism on society and individuals reaches far beyond financial implications. This has opened up my understanding of the consequences that range from negative effects on marriage, family life, workplace, the healthcare system as well as the society as a whole. Further, there is the aspect of alcoholism resulting in loss of productivity especially at the workplace, increase in crime and health care costs, and also motor vehicle accidents. Notably, excessive alcohol consumption is also a risk factor in various chronic diseases playing a significant role in cases such as cancer, digestive related diseases, psychiatric conditions as well as cardiovascular. High-level consumption increases the risk of contracting heart diseases, stroke as well as diabetes (Le Berre et al., 2017).
From the functionalist perspective According to statistics provided by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, the cases of driving fatalities that are associated with alcohol accounted for approximately 31% in the United States. Alcohol consumption results in reduced quality of life that is also associated with vandalism, offensive behavior as well as petty crime. All these aspects and factors relate to social concern and presumably their impact leading to a reduction in the quality of life of those affected. The level of intoxication at times relates to being either a perpetrator or at times victim of a crime such as a robbery. Such aspects can be found especially amongst the lives of young consumers. For instance, research studies reveal that there is a high probability of youths carrying weapons and at the same time engage in fights after consumption. Research studies reveal that in some instances, a significant percentage of young consumers engage in alcohol consumption as a measure that prepares them for violent encounters. Such an aspect can also be repli...