Negative Effects Of Alcoholism

Alcoholism has been one of the main problems and questionable addictions that occur in Ireland, Alcohol related harm is very common and alcoholism can be a very serious addiction in the long run. Drinking in Ireland is a pastime, it 's usually passed down from generation to generation. In the Irish culture alcoholism can bring positives and negatives to the individual 's life, having a couple drinks is always a joy to the Irishmen, having too much is where self related harm comes into play and the damaging of your health and people around you such as family members and peers. In the memoir, the use of drinking at such a young age can cause problems. Consuming a drink at the young age of 16 proves that you are a “grown man” in the Irish generation.

Alcoholism is known as a family disease and is generally passed down from one to another, from the alcoholic parent to their children. This disease can also have negative effects on the spouse of the alcoholic, it can cause family issues, self pity and avoiding social contact. Just like in the memoir the drinking age is very young and being the son or daughter of an alcoholic parent can cause symptoms of low self-esteem, guilt and hopelessness (Parsons). Statistics say that one in eleven children in Ireland say that the use of their parents consuming alcohol has a negative effect on their life, that is more than 100,000 children. In the memoir how Frank’s father is always at the pub explains that seven out of ten men who drink more than average tend to have problems within the family or in the home they live in, also it can damage their bodies quicker than a normal drinker rather than an alcoholic (Alcohol Action). The memoir says “This is my wife. She may be Irish but she doesn 't look it, thank God. Like you. Irish. You 'll need a drink, of course. You Irish quaff at every turn. Barely weaned before you clamor for the whiskey bottle, the pint of stout”(McCourt Chapter 16).This quote shows that “having a drink” is the answer in many situations during bad

Over many years a higher proportion of women who drink in Ireland is higher than any other European country, 77% compared to 68%. Men drink more often than women, 45% of men drink 2-3 times more than the average female in Ireland. In the memoir it shows drinking at the age of 16, alcohol is the world’s leading risk factor for death among males aged 15-59, according to the World Health Organization ( Alcohol Action). Men are advised to drink no more than 21 standard beers a week, that is equal to 10 pints of normal beer. In Ireland the price of Alcohol is 50% more affordable than it was in 1996, which makes it easier to for the Irish people to consume alcohol. The average age of first alcohol use for children born in 1990 was 14, ten years before in 1980 it was 16. A specific survey of drinking among European 15 and 16 year olds more Irish girls, (44%) than boys (42%) reported binge-drinking has become a problem to young teens (Alcohol