The Diversity of Alcoholism

I have for you two scenarios (These stories are not based on any person in particular, but are just general possible scenarios.)
First is a story about Edward. Edward has been a respectable CPA for the same business for the last 12 years. His family consists of his wife of ten years. A few evenings a week after a stressful day, Edward and some of his colleagues go out for a few drinks. By the time the night is over, Edward has consumed six or seven drinks and heads home. When he gets there, his wife has gone to bed. It’s late and he didn’t answer his phone. Edward storms into the bedroom and he screams and cusses at her supposed incompetence. His fury builds in the wake of his drunkenness. He takes a swing at her face. Edward is an aggressive and abusive alcoholic.
Second is a story about Lenny. Lenny is and has been a hardworking man doing construction for 25 years. He has a beautiful family of two sons, a daughter, and wife of 24 years. His family appears normal from the outside. No neighbors see any issues with the family across the street.  They are just a normal working class family with a moderate income. But what cannot be seen from the outside is that each night before Lenny comes home. He stops at the bar with his buddies and has a few…then drives home. When he gets there supper’s on the table. His wife offers to make his plate, but he politely refuses. He goes back outside and underneath his workbench in the garage takes out a can beer…and another…and another…and another. Until it’s almost time for bed. This takes place day after day, week after week. Lenny is a passive alcoholic.
These two stories are different on so many levels. But the one common link between the two is the alcohol. How is it possible that alcohol can have such polar-opposite effects on two individuals as similar as these? This is a difficult question to answer and to be honest experts still don’t know.
Image from: http://usdrugstore.blog.com/alcoholism-learn-about-alcoholism-symptoms-stages-and-how-are-alcoholism-treated/
This week our neurochemistry class explored the reasons behind the behaviors that alcohol causes. Biochemically alcohol (ethanol) has an effect on all parts of the body including the nervous system. Alcohol’s complex impact on the body makes it difficult to pin point the reasons for certain behaviors. However, one effect that alcohol always seems to be true to is that of becoming uninhibited. Individuals who have had only a couple of drinks tend to show signs of uninhibitedness and “loosen up.” The truth starts coming out. Individuals become unafraid and senseless. They lose their reasoning for making good decision making. This may be the point where individuals differ in their actions. This may be why there are passive drunks, funny drunks, aggressive drunks, etc. Perhaps their own personality and history is what leads them to their choices—good or bad—after a few drinks.  Generally speaking, alcoholism tends to be a common (so-called) disease across the United States. However alcoholism has many shapes and molds. Alcohol can result in many different and often opposing behaviors depending on the person it is acting within.
Alcohol is commonly consumed beverage throughout the world. According to the CDC about 52% of the US population over the age of 18 are considered regular drinkers (12 or more drinks per year). Alcohol is the drink of choice for celebrations, break-ups, deaths, divorce, marriage, any event under the sun (minus a child’s birthday party). So why is it that with a beverage so common that there are addictive qualities that come along with it? Why is it that certain individuals are more prone to alcohol addiction than others?  I mean, drinking is not illegal, so there must be a reason. The prohibition in the thirties didn’t work so well so the lawmakers learned better. People like alcohol and there’s nothing wrong with that.  But, there’s nothing good about alcohol addiction either. So where so we draw the line?
 
If you or someone you know need help in an abusive situation please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 (SAFE)
Or get help online at:
http://www.helpguide.org/mental/domestic_violence_abuse_help_treatment_prevention.htm
For more information about statistics of alcohol addiction please see:
http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/alcohol.htm