Is Alcoholism A Disease Or A Lifestyle Choice - 1933 Words

From the website, Patient Info, recently presented a discussion in whether alcoholism is a disease or a lifestyle choice. One blogger expressed her opinion about how alcoholism is genetic and that parents, about how it is genetic that anxiety and depression is inherited from parents leading, to becoming an addict. But the blogger by the name of andrew69055 stated, â€Å"People would do well to work more on resolving anxiety and depression rather than using alcohol disease as an excuse†¦People need hope and motivation and the handed out excuse that it’s a disease is destructive†¦.It removes all sense of guilt and responsibility. Cancer is a disease which the patient, apart from a positive attitude relies completely on the medical profession for their recovery. To put alcoholism and addiction in the same context is an insult to the cancer patient.† Like this blogger stated alcoholism should not be categorized in the same defense as cancer. Alcoholism is a life choice that people make in life. People are at free will to choose how they live and every move that they make. Many people have been misguided about whether or not alcoholism is â€Å"disease† that attacks a person’s good health. A key suggestion of those that believe alcoholism is a disease is that a disease is uncontrolled. This is not so. When people develop an addiction to alcohol they tend to push everything of importance out of their lives: family, friends, and sometimes even jobs. People with addiction to alcohol throwShow MoreRelatedMini Thesis1451 Words   |  6 PagesTHE IMPACT OF LIFESTYLE DECISIONS THAT CAUSE END-STAGE RENAL DISEASE IN AFRICAN AMERICAN MALES Submitted in Partial fulfillment of the Requirements For Health Care Marketplace Thesis By: Laquita Hailey Professor: Cornelius Cash, PH.D., MBA American InterContinental University 6600 Peachtree-Dunwoody RD 500 Embassy Row Atlanta, GA 30328 June 18, 2005 TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT Chapter 1 – Introduction†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦4 Background and Problem†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ 4 StatementRead MoreAn Alcoholic : Societal Views Vs. Reality1103 Words   |  5 Pageswhen it comes to alcoholism, in order to understand Alcoholism properly we must consider both the disease and the treatment. In 1956 the AMA (American Medical Association) classified Alcoholism as a disease. The association’s definition of alcoholism is a primary, chronic disease with genetic, psychosocial, and environmental factors influencing its development and manifestations. In this case the term â€Å"primary† is used to indicate that it is a disease that can lead to other diseases such as CirrhosisRead MoreDrunken Driving Accidents And The Biggest Party Of The Year1182 Words   |  5 Pageslying here dying and I wasn’t the one drinking and driving. ALCOHOLISM Drunken driving accidents are one of the leading causes of death of teens. Whether they are the driver or just in the car with someone. Alcoholism plays a big role in this. With it being a chronic and progressive disease there can be many different symptoms, causes, and risk factors and complications that can be associated with alcoholism. It can include difficulty regulating how much alcohol you drink. AlsoRead MoreThe Effects Of Heavy Alcohol Consumption On Heart Disease1729 Words   |  7 Pagesheart disease. Factors that influence this biasness include the underrepresentation of alcoholics in the moderate drinker group, the possibility of abstainers forgoing alcohol consumption due to illness and medication, and differing life-style choices and socio-economic demographics. This review analyzes the results of studies that controlled for these factors. Since these controlled studies observed a similar relationship between moderate alcohol consumption and lower risk for heart disease, it remainsRead MoreAlcohol as an Ergogenic Aid1082 Words   |  5 Pagesathletes and non-athletes in the United States. Prior to my research on alcohol, I assumed that alcohol abuse was not prevalent among college athletes, outside of the occasional partying that normal college students partake in as well. But according to Lifestyles and Health Risks of Collegiate Athletes, college athletes generally drink more heavily and are more likely to engage in binge drinking than non-athletes1, and contrary to my belief, in the psychologic realm, some have argued that alcohol beforeRead MoreThe Effects Of Alcohol On Alcohol Abuse Essay1115 Words   |  5 Pagesimpudent, dangerous and mad.†( Alcoholism Quotes.). So with all these consequences associated with alcohol, why do people drink? What is alcoholism? Who does it affect? Why does it happen? How can it be solved? Dependance on alcohol, otherwise known as alcoholism is defined as a treatable chronic disease where your body becomes physically dependant on alcohol to do everyday functions and tasks. Alcoholism can even develop to the point to where the person with the disease can’t control how much alcoholRead MoreAlcoholism Is Not A Lifestyle Choice For Alcoholics1047 Words   |  5 PagesAlcoholism is not a lifestyle choice for alcoholics. It is a disease, like cancer, where intervention, treatment, and follow up are needed to recover. As with cancer, remission and a cure cannot be guaranteed. Alcohol causes a wide range of negative effects in the lives of alcoholics and those who know and love them. One drink of alcohol is considered 5 ounces of wine, 12 ounces of beer, or 1.5 ounces of 80 proof distilled spirits such as vodka or whiskey (Schmitt). â€Å"If you are a man under age 65Read More Alcoholics Should NOT Be Eligible to Receive Organ Transplants1097 Words   |  5 Pagesdying each day while waiting for a transplant. (Benjamin Samstein, 2015) This brings us to a question, should an alcoholic who had previously been lucky enough to have a liver transplant, be allowed to get another liver transplant after he let his alcoholism ruin another liver? When someone is in need of a transplant, there are several factors that are looked at in deciding whether or not the patient will be placed on the transplant list. Patients receive points for medical need, tissue type andRead MoreThe Consequences Of Accepting An Invitation For Happy Hour? Alcoholism1332 Words   |  6 Pages Have you ever considered the consequences of accepting an invitation to happy hour? Alcoholism is, â€Å"a chronic disorder marked by excessive and usually compulsive drinking of alcohol leading to psychological and physical dependence or addiction† (â€Å"Alcoholism†). Drinking while driving is against the law and an arrestable offense. Many argue that drinking alcohol moderately, in a safe environment will not cause harm. Despite this, it is more complicated when people drink without limiting themselvesRead MoreAlcoholism and Parenting: Samuel Adams961 Words   |  4 Pagesadolescent development and adjustment† (Effects on Children of Alcohol Dependent Parents). Under the influence of an alcohol dependent parent, children will often grow up in a callous and emotionally unavailable environment that can lead to a dangerous lifestyle as an adult such as difficulty socializing, criminal activity, and a dependency on alcohol much like their parent. When a child lives in a household with a parent or authoritative figure who consumes alcohol to an excess, it is likely that they

Equilibrium Free Essays

Equilibrium Director: Kurt Wimmer The film Equilibrium, directed by Kurt Wimmer, illustrates a world without emotions and how higher forms of control define a society. The idea of control is shown though the main character John Preston (Christian Bale). John Preston is the Top Gun Kata cleric. We will write a custom essay sample on Equilibrium or any similar topic only for you Order Now Initially he forgot to take a dose of Prozium (a drug which removes emotions from ones system). This mistake gives Preston an opportunity to change both his and all Librians lives. His choices and views change and we can clearly see these changes through the plot, costumes, music and most importantly cinematography. Preston eventually gains free will and the choices he makes contribute to the redemption of Libria. Wimmer crafts ideas of the media controlling a society and how it is important to stand up for ones individuality. The movie is set in a fictional town called Libria. It is ruled by the Tetragrammaton government and Father. Sense offenders those who are able to feel are exterminated by Grammaton Clerics. The film begins with a raid in the Nethers, where the sense offenders live. The scene is dim, dull and gloomy. Wimmer has done a great job with the camera work in the film to portray certain messages. The camera slowly pans over a vivid painting which symbolises life and emotion. Paintings and feelings are illegal in the society and punishable by death. The sense offenders guard a few remaining artefacts left by hiding them inside a room. The sense offenders desperately protect the illegal content because they are the remains from pre – world war three. The audience is then shown a wide shot of a group of Grammaton clerics about to enter the building. The group enter the building enclosing around the offenders. The clerics have orders from the fascist government to exterminate all sense offenders. The lawbreakers are slaughtered and all other objects of emotional content are destroyed. These two shots are important as they show who is fighting in the war and why the war is occurring. The law of Libria requires all Librians to take a daily dose of Prozium. After the raid Preston takes Mary O’Brien (Emily Watson) a sense offender into custody for questioning. Her words are memorable as she compares the difference in their lives. Hers is worth living because she has emotions whereas his is just â€Å"a clock ticking†. Preston contemplates Mary’s words as they give him more choice than the current society holds. He is infused with emotions and his views on life change ultimately confusing him. When Preston revisits the Nethers he approached a room full of illegal content. His newfound emotions give him curiosity and he plays a record – Beethoven. The power of the music helps justify Preston’s choice to bring change to Libria and the world. Jurgen, the head of the resistance fighters meets with Preston. They form a plan to overthrow Father and the government in order to give all Librians free will. The costumes have been used throughout the film to help create thought provoking ideas of how emotions define a society. At the beginning of the film Preston always wears dark gloves. Preston takes his gloves off after he stops taking prozium. There is an effective image of Preston sliding his bare hand across a bullet shot wall. It is shown he explores how to feel when he slides his hand across the wall. This shows the audience how Preston gains a sense of touch. The Gun Kata and Grammaton clerics a new arm of the law always wear very conservative clothing. The audience is unable to connect to the Gun Kata as they appear desensitised. The costumes emphasise how they are emotionless and powerful. At the end of the film when Preston is fighting the Tetragrammaton government and Father, he wears an all white pristine uniform. This use of costume strongly symbolises good versus evil. It also makes Preston seem god like and powerful as he is the saviour of Libria. An example of good vs. evil is when DuPont begs for his life staring up at Preston. Preston takes DuPont’s life in revenge of Mary’s death. Preston now has smeared blood upon his white uniform, symbolising that he has blood on his hands. The camerawork has been crafted through the film to portray the idea of control. In Low angle shots, Father appears on large screens in the town of Libria. This is significant as it shows the power and status Father has over the people. The director uses high shots to show Father looking down on his puppet, Preston. This shot expresses Father’s power and presence is higher than Preston’s. There are close up’s of John injecting Prozium into his system. This illustrates how the Tetragrammaton Government has the unconscious power to make one take drugs. This may be to prevent a fourth world war like the government states or possibly other intentions of making sure the people are powerless. If the Librians have no emotions they have no free will. These effective shots work incredibly well considering Wimmer’s minimal budget. The Music has been used from beginning to end to show internal and external conflicts. In the first scene the music sounded dark and unnatural; the sense offenders are shown in a building guarding a painting. The music then changed to an upbeat orchestral symphony; and Preston is shown outside the building. The music then becomes dark and dangerous again. This use of music has been used by the director to show how the painting means life. The dark music is used to emphasise the eerie feeling that Preston gives showing the audience he’s mysterious and dangerous. Initially the film has very dull and quiet music in the background. When Preston gains feeling and emotions the music becomes more upbeat and louder. This highlights the change that Preston experiences. It is a powerful use of music as it is a link that feelings are what music sounds like. It also shows how the change has been for the better as at the start of the film the music was eerie and towards the middle and end the music was happy and upbeat. Wimmer did a remarkable job of portraying a society where people live their lives with no emotions. He demonstrates how media and higher forms of power control the perceptual world. The media shown in the film like The Mona Lisa and Beethoven demonstrate what would be missing in society. If they were destroyed, how the propaganda of a government would take away more life than what they proclaim they are saving. It also shows us that it is important to always fight for ones free will and never let the media take that away from one. In today’s society days media judges how we should look and act yet the masses conform to this media. The masses conform in order to not be socially shunned. Yet it is critical to remember to frequently take a stand for our individuality like John Preston. How to cite Equilibrium, Essay examples

Ray Bradburys novel Essay Example For Students

Ray Bradburys novel Essay In all societies, environment and location are a big influence on how people act. Different societies have different cultures, and, therefore, different lifestyles. In Ray Bradburys book, Fahrenheit 451, it couldnt be any different. The story occurs in an extremely censored society, in the future years. There, firemen like Guy Montag, start fires to extinguish books. The government and people in this city believe that burning books is a good way to keep everyone happy. Literature was banned since they cant have minorities upset and stirred (p. 59). Most books dont please everyone and some minorities have their feelings hurt, making them unhappy. Living in this American society means living where oppression rules. The governments strict laws require these fearless firemen to destroy books. The firemen never read the paperwork they burn, Thats against the law! (p. 8). Keeping the population from reading will keep them from dealing with ideas and points of views that might upset them. Dont give them slippery stuff like philosophy or sociology to tie things up with. That way lies to melancholy (p. 61); Beatty, the firemen chief, believes people are better off ignorant and nave so then they wont know they can formulate their own opinions. The firemens actions, by turn, imply fear and doubts on the people. When Montag meets Clarisse, she tells him You know, Im not afraid of you at all (p. 7), Guy asks for an explanation and she tells him that many people are afraid of the firemen, probably because the mens work is to burn down homes. I believe Guy himself starts fearing his job once he meets the girl. She was a time bomb. The family had been feeding her subconscious, Im sure, from what I saw of her school record. She didnt want to know how a thing was done, but why (p.60): Clarisse was interested in human behavior, nature and the simple things people had already forgotten about. I think, deep inside, Montag begins to wonder what all the books he destroys say and why they are illegal. The society has completely forgotten about how life was when they owned knowledge. Many people, like Mildred, Guys wife, are far more interested in the TV shows and the seashell radio, which she listens to obsessively. Mildred is very disconnected and cold and she doesnt care about anything real ; she has no faith in books: It doesnt mean anything! (p. 68) and she believes the television has a lot more to offer. Technology is another thing that gives the government a lot of control. They have machines like the Mechanical Hound (p. 24) and driving slowly is prohibited My uncle drove slowly on a highway once. He drove forty miles an hour and they jailed him for two days (p. 9). The government doesnt want people to appreciate the nature because they are afraid new philosophies and ideas come up. Television and radios are influences against books themselves. The ladies in the novel are completely addicted to empty and childish shows. None of them go out to walk and appreciate nature or have meaningful conversations. Environment is a very important part of Fahrenheit 451. Without the censored lifestyle and the advanced technology, the plot wouldnt be as understandable. The censorship causes people to feel oppressed and limited and, like Montag, rebellious. The government projected the firemens job, causing fear on the people. Nature interested Clarisse McClellan and made her wonder about life, which, eventually got to Guy Montag and changed his life. Concluding, censorship and habitat in Ray Bradburys novel is very important and defines many important parts of the story.