The Expansion and Influence of Desire

The undeniable fact associated with habitual alcohol consumption is the consistent increase in appetite. While there may be exceptions to this general trend, the predominant outcome of this behavior is, as previously noted, a gradual escalation in the desire for the consumed stimulant. It is widely accepted that this phenomenon results from specific pathological changes in the body caused by alcohol itself, a conclusion that is unlikely to be disputed by those familiar with the numerous functional and organic disturbances that consistently arise from the prolonged intake of this substance.

 

We would like to shift your focus to the reality of the situation rather than its underlying reasons. Initially, a person may be content with just one glass of wine during dinner, but over time, they may find themselves craving a bit more. Eventually, they may allow themselves a second glass. This gradual increase in desire may be subtle, yet it continues steadily until, ultimately, an entire bottle may barely satisfy the overwhelming cravings. This pattern holds true for all types of alcoholic beverages.

 

We would like to shift your focus to the reality of the situation rather than its underlying reasons. Initially, a person may be content with just one glass of wine during dinner, but over time, they may find themselves craving a bit more. Eventually, they may allow themselves a second glass. This gradual increase in desire may be subtle, yet it continues steadily until, ultimately, an entire bottle may barely satisfy the overwhelming cravings. This pattern holds true for all types of alcoholic beverages.

 

Some individuals possess the ability to manage their desire for alcohol over many years, or even throughout their entire lives, maintaining it within a defined boundary of consumption. They can establish a limit, saying, "This is the extent of my indulgence." However, they ultimately experience physical health issues that arise from the long-term exposure to the harmful effects of alcohol on the body's sensitive systems. These ailments can be quite painful and may reduce their lifespan. Nevertheless, they are able to consume alcohol without their cravings escalating to an uncontrollable level, and they do not descend into the state of chronic alcoholism.

 

No individual who starts consuming alcohol in any form can predict the eventual impact it will have on their physical or mental well-being. Each year, countless individuals, previously unaware of the potential risks, succumb to the consequences of alcoholism. There is no definitive measure to assess the hidden detrimental forces present in one's genetic makeup. An individual may inherit from their ancestors, whether recent or distant, a predisposition towards unhealthy moral behavior or a physical vulnerability that, when combined with the disruptive effects of alcohol, can lead to a severely impaired state. It is a well-established fact that the use of alcohol results in adverse outcomes for many. The issue of alcoholism, along with its underlying mental and moral factors, has garnered significant attention from various professionals. Medical practitioners, administrators of rehabilitation and mental health facilities, correctional officers, lawmakers, and advocates have been closely examining its numerous tragic aspects and documenting their findings and perspectives. While there are differing opinions on certain matters—such as whether alcoholism should be classified as a disease that absolves individuals of responsibility, warranting treatment similar to that for mental illness or physical ailments, or whether it is a criminal act deserving punishment, or a moral failing that requires spiritual healing—there is a consensus that many individuals possess an inherited or developed mental and nervous condition that makes any consumption of alcohol highly perilous.

 

 

The point we wish to make with you is, that no man can possibly know, until he has used alcoholic drinks for a certain period of time, whether he has or has not this hereditary or acquired physical or mental condition; and that, if it should exist, a discovery of the fact may come too late.

 

Dr. D.G. Dodge, the former Superintendent of the New York State Inebriate Asylum, expressed his views on the factors contributing to intemperance. He asserted his belief that it is a hereditary condition, comparable to diseases such as "scrofula, gout, or consumption."

 

Some individuals possess a tendency that can be described as an alcoholic idiosyncrasy. For these individuals, the underlying craving for stimulants, when acted upon, quickly develops into patterns of excessive consumption. This progression ultimately results in a pathological craving that resembles a medical condition. The affected person, without external support, finds themselves unable to overcome this issue, as the very weakness of will that contributed to the problem hinders any efforts to resolve it.