Alcohol Addiction: Societal Issues, Causes, Effects, and Solutions

This research essay outline addresses alcohol addiction as a significant societal issue. It begins with an introduction defining terms and presenting the problem, followed by an analysis of the current situation of alcohol consumption in Australia, including its increasing prevalence and associated health and economic burdens. The essay then delves into the problems caused by alcohol addiction, such as increased violence, healthcare costs, and social issues. Subsequently, it explores potential solutions, including behavioral treatments and peer support. The evaluation section analyzes and compares these solutions, ultimately recommending peer support as the most effective approach. The conclusion reiterates the essay's thesis and emphasizes the need for strategies to reduce alcohol consumption in Australia. The essay uses in-text citations to support its arguments and provide evidence from various sources. The essay highlights the need for organizations in Australia to implement more strategies to reduce the inclination toward alcohol consumption.

Assessment Task 2: Research Essay Outline
Name: -
Monash ID: 31109705 Class: 2-12
Topic: Alcohol
Question: Alcohol addiction is a significant issue in society. What are the causes and effects of this problem,
and how can we tackle them?
Introduction (1 Paragraph)
What information is necessary for the introduction?
- Definition of terms related to the topic
- Brief introduction to the problem
- Include in-text citations
Paragraph 1 Hook (Definition/ Interesting Info/ Quote)
Alcohol addiction, also referred to as alcoholism is a disease impacting people from all
walks of time (Sayette et al, 2012). There are no cause such as genetics, race, sex, or
socioeconomics which might predispose someone towards alcohol addiction.
Brief situation
The social impact from alcohol is stretched far beyond the financial costs. It affects
family members, married life, also larger community of healthcare, schools, workplace,
healthcare system and society as a whole.
Reasons
Alcohol addiction can arise from different factors, where after prolonged time period of
drinking, the brain begins to rely upon alcohol. Other reasons are environmental factors,
biological factors, social factors, and psychological factors.
Measures
In order to reduce or get rid of alcoholism, it is advised not to go to bars, hang out with
drinkers, drink emotionally to to stock drinks.
Thesis Statement (Complete sentence)
The scope of the current research analyses alcohol addiction as a significant issue in
society, evaluating its causes and effects, and ways to tackle them.
Situation (4 Paragraphs)

What information is necessary for the situation section?
- Provide TWO (2) current situations related to the topic
- In each situation, provide at least TWO (2) examples -NOT from the same source
- TWO [2] in-text citations
Paragraph 1 Introductory Statement (introduce the 2 situations):
Alcohol addiction has surpassed any other addictive drug usage in Australia.
Alcohol addiction has significantly increased incidence of heart disease, cancer,
diabetes, liver disease, and damage to the brain.
Paragraph 2 First Body Paragraph (First Situation):
Topic Sentence: (complete sentence)
Alcohol addition has increased in Australia significantly in the last decade and has
surpassed use of any other addictive drugs.
Explanation:
Australia has a well-established culture for drinking. Alcohol is enjoyed across a range
of occasion.
Evidence 1 & Explanation:
Australia ranks amongst top 30 countries in the world in alcohol consumption behind
France, the UK, Germany and Ireland. Alcohol is widely available across the country
(Slutske et al, 2013). Though alcohol when used as a substance is restricted in
Australia and sold in authorised bars, bottle shops and restaurants, only.
Evidence 2 & Explanation:
An average Australian is considered to drink over 9 litres of pure alcohol every year.
Multiple families in Australia have an associated history of heavy drinking along with
enjoying alcohol over meals and in weekends. Alcohol is generally available over many
different hotels, bars and other places where it is widely available. This make it
difficult to separate a person for alcohol consumption.
Linking Sentence:
Owing to the excessive consumption of alcohol in Australia, there is a significant
increase in the burden of overall diseases.
Paragraph 3 Second Body Paragraph (Second Situation)
Topic Sentence: (complete sentence)
Consumption of alcohol is seen to be associated with injury and death along with many
other associated cases of cancers.
Explanation:

Alcoholism is considered as a factor that leads to the development of cancers of
multiple types including liver cancer, oesophageal cancer, breast cancer of different
types (Ballestri et al, 2014). Excessive consumption of alcohol is the primary reason
behind 81,000 hospitalizations per year, bearing a heavy burden of the disease.
Evidence 1 & Explanation:
Nationally it has been noted that in Australia alcohol leads to multiple cases of injury,
death and cancer, with 3,000 deaths annually owing to excessive alcohol consumption.
Evidence 2 & Explanation:
Cost of alcohol consumption is assumed to be above A$ 36 billion to the economy. A
report prepared by the Alcohol Consumption in Australia revealed that one in every
nine Australian drank at a risky level of alcohol.
Linking Sentence:
Consuming alcohol leads to injury and death along with varied morbidities, which
costs $ 36 billion to the economy.
Paragraph 4 Concluding Paragraph (summarise situations)
Situation of alcohol consumption has increased tremendously in recent period with
increased healthcare costs.
Problems (4 Paragraphs)
What information is necessary for the problems section?
- Provide TWO (2) current problems and the effects related to the topic
- In each problem, provide at least TWO (2) evidences- NOT from the same source
- TWO [2] in-text citations

Paragraph 1 Introductory Statement (introduce the 2 problems):
Alcohol being available across Australia.
Alcohol addiction increasing burden of healthcare costs.
Paragraph 2 First Body Paragraph (First Problem):
Topic Sentence: (complete sentence)
Increased accessibility of alcohol across Australia is leading to increased consumption
and making it difficult for addicts to refrain form such consumption.
Explanation:
Alcohol addiction acts as a popular social lubricant that is considered initially harmless
but later might lead to physical and psychological dependence (Howard, Gordon, &
Jones, 2014).
Evidence 1 & Explanation:
Increase in child-abuse cases has increased significantly along with domestic violence
cases.
Australia has seen increased alcohol-related cases of violence and rise in social
problem.
Evidence 2 & Explanation:
There is increased pattern of alcohol misuse by sex, culture and indigenous culture.
It has been noted that excessive alcohol addiction is associated with harms and a series
of health problems, violence, drunk driving as well as mortalities.
Linking Sentence:
Increased alcohol addiction has led to increase in different types of legal cases.

Paragraph 3 Second Body Paragraph (Second Problem):
Topic Sentence: (complete sentence)
Alcohol addition is causing Australia $ 36 bn.
Explanation:
Doctors and police reports mass toll of human related to alcohol addiction.
Evidence 1 & Explanation:
The Australian Education and Rehabilitation foundation (AER) found the total
economic costs related to alcohol misuse to be at $24.7bn tangible costs (Rehm et al,
2013). This is associated with rehabilitation and associated hospitalization and
childcare costs.
Evidence 2 & Explanation:
Intangible costs associated with alcohol addition is $11.6 bn. This includes lost in
quality of life associated with alcohol addiction.
Linking Sentence:
Alcohol addition has significant social impact and causing an increase in healthcare
costs.
Paragraph 4 Concluding Paragraph (summarise problems)
Alcohol addiction not only causes challenges within one family but has significant social
impact as well in terms of healthcare costs.

Solutions (4 Paragraphs)
What information is necessary for the solutions section?
- Provide TWO (2) solutions related to the topic
- In each solution, provide at least TWO (2) evidences - NOT from the same source
- TWO [2] in-text citations
Paragraph 1 Introductory Statement (introduce the 2 solutions):
Behavioural treatment enables improvisation with coping skills.
Peer support is necessary.
Paragraph 2 First Body Paragraph (First Solution):
Topic Sentence: (complete sentence)
Behavioural treatment enables improvisation with coping skills and allows
incorporation of treatment.
Explanation 1:
It includes stronger dependence on treatment to manage effects of alcohol withdrawal.
Evidence 1 & Explanation:
ReachOut.com can provide assistance regarding the alcohol withdrawal (Heilig et al,
2011). Organizations can assist in guarding against risky habits.
Evidence 2 & Explanation:
Australian guidelines can assist in low risk drinking habits. These guidelines can help
talking regarding alcohol and mental health.
Linking Sentence:
Behavioural treatment along with peer support can lead to success in overcoming
alcohol addiction.
Paragraph 3 Second Body Paragraph (Second Solution):
Topic Sentence: (complete sentence)
Peer support through organizations can enable overcome alcohol addiction.
Explanation 1:
Peer support encourages on reduced consumption of alcohol.
Evidence 1 & Explanation:
The Alcoholics Anonymous can assists in fast recovery (Tracy, & Wallace, 2016).
These organizations helps through discussion and support.
Evidence 2 & Explanation:
Peer support can assist in binge drinking habits. By discussing the effects of alcohol
addiction, it can effectively be curbed.

Linking Sentence:
Behavioural treatment and peer support is necessary in overcoming alcohol addiction.
Paragraph 4 Concluding Paragraph (summarise solutions)
A good model role can assists along with peer support and behavioural treatment to
overcome alcohol addiction.
Evaluation (2-3 Paragraphs)
What information is necessary for the evaluation section?
- Choose the best solution out of the two you have provided
- Provide an explanation (in-text citation required)
Paragraph 1 Evaluate the first solution
Topic Sentence: (complete sentence)
Behavioural treatment enables improvisation with coping skills can assists in
overcoming addiction related to alcoholism.
Explanation 1:
It will guide towards reduction alcohol consumption.
Evidence 1 & Explanation:
ReachOut.com can provide assistance personally related to alcohol withdrawal
(O'Brien, 2011). Organizations can assist in guarding against risky habits and reduce
inclination to habit formation.
Evidence 2 & Explanation:
Australian guidelines can assist in implementing low risk drinking habits. These
guidelines can help talking regarding alcohol and mental health.
Linking Sentence:
Behavioural treatment along with peer support can lead to success in overcoming
alcohol addiction.
Paragraph 2 Second Body Paragraph (Second Solution):
Topic Sentence: (complete sentence)
Peer support through organizations can assists in overcoming alcohol addiction.
Explanation 1:
Peer support encourages on reduced consumption of alcohol.

Evidence 1 & Explanation:
The Alcoholics Anonymous can assists in fast recovery (Esen, & Gündoğdu, 2010).
These organizations helps through discussion and support.
Evidence 2 & Explanation:
Peer support can assist in binge drinking habits. By discussing the effects of alcohol
addiction, it can effectively be curbed.
Linking Sentence:
Behavioural treatment and peer support is necessary in overcoming alcohol addiction.
Paragraph 3 Decide on the best solution
Topic Sentence: (complete sentence)
Peer support is the best solution.
Explanation 1:
Peer support encourages on reduced consumption of alcohol.
Evidence 1 & Explanation:
The Alcoholics Anonymous can assists in fast recovery. These organizations helps
through discussion and support.
Evidence 2 & Explanation:
Peer support can assist in binge drinking habits. By discussing the effects of alcohol
addiction, it can effectively be curbed.
Linking Sentence:
Behavioural treatment and peer support is necessary in overcoming alcohol addiction.
Conclusion
What information is necessary for the evaluation section?
- Provide a concluding statement
- Provide a summary

Concluding Statement:
Alcohol consumption can have significant effects on the society.
Summary:
Alcohol consumption can have healthcare costs as well as associated social costs.
Recommendation:
Organizations in Australia needs to accommodate more strategies to reduce inclination towards alcohol
consumption.
Reiteration of Thesis Statement:
Thus, this current research analyses alcohol addiction as a significant issue in society, evaluating its
causes and effects, and ways to tackle them.
References
Ballestri, S., Lonardo, A., Bonapace, S., Byrne, C. D., Loria, P., & Targher, G. (2014). Risk of
cardiovascular, cardiac and arrhythmic complications in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver
disease. World journal of gastroenterology: WJG, 20(7), 1724. DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i7.1724.

Esen, B. K., & Gündoğdu, M. (2010). The relationship between internet addiction, peer pressure and
perceived social support among adolescents. The International Journal of Educational Researchers, 2(1),
29-36. Accessed from
<https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/a4d6/d616851dea4eb3af95ae9b9ea18d47c18b8b.pdf>
Heilig, M., Goldman, D., Berrettini, W., & O'brien, C. P. (2011). Pharmacogenetic approaches to the
treatment of alcohol addiction. Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 12(11), 670-684. DOI: 10.1038/nrn3110.
Howard, S. J., Gordon, R., & Jones, S. C. (2014). Australian alcohol policy 2001–2013 and implications for
public health. BMC Public Health, 14(1), 848. DOI: 10.1186/1471-2458-14-848
O'Brien, C. P. (2011). Evidence-based treatments of addiction. Focus, 9(1), 107-117. DOI:
10.1176/foc.9.1.foc107
Rehm, J., Shield, K. D., Gmel, G., Rehm, M. X., & Frick, U. (2013). Modeling the impact of alcohol
dependence on mortality burden and the effect of available treatment interventions in the European
Union. European Neuropsychopharmacology, 23(2), 89-97. DOI: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2012.08.001.
Sayette, M.A., Creswell, K.G., Dimoff, J.D., Fairbairn, C.E., Cohn, J.F., Heckman, B.W., Kirchner, T.R.,
Levine, J.M. and Moreland, R.L. (2012). Alcohol and group formation: A multimodal investigation of the
effects of alcohol on emotion and social bonding. Psychological science, 23(8), 869-878. DOI:
10.1177/0956797611435134.
Slutske, W. S., Ellingson, J. M., Richmond-Rakerd, L. S., Zhu, G., & Martin, N. G. (2013). Shared genetic
vulnerability for disordered gambling and alcohol use disorder in men and women: evidence from a
national community-based Australian Twin Study. Twin Research and Human Genetics, 16(2), 525-534.
DOI: 10.1017/thg.2013.11.
Tracy, K., & Wallace, S. P. (2016). Benefits of peer support groups in the treatment of addiction. Substance
abuse and rehabilitation, 7, 143. Doi: 10.2147/SAR.S81535.