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ALCOHOLISM AND ITS IMPACT ON FAMILY ISSUES IN URBAN SOCIETY

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DECLARATION

This Research paper contains no material which has been accepted for the award of any other Degree or Diploma in any University or equivalent Institution, and that to the best of my knowledge and belief, contains no material previously submitted or written by any other person, except where due reference is made in the text of this research paper.

I carried out the work described in this Research under the supervision of Group captain MD Rathnayake (MSc Def Std in Mgt, MDS, psc)

Signature Name of Undergraduate Student Registration No

Date:

: Pilot Officer PK De Silva : AS/09/02/014

(Supervisors comments to be written here) Signature Name of Supervisor : Date:

: Group Captain MD Rathnayake (MSc Def.Std in Mgt, MDS, psc)

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ABSTRACT

As we all know, alcoholism has negative effects on the Sri Lankan economy, society and culture. Not only Sri Lanka but also the whole international community is badly affected by the abuse of alcohol resulting in alcoholism. Some problems associated with alcoholism, such as domestic violence, lack of attention to children, malnutrition among infants and dependants, rowdy behavior on the roads, low birth weight, injuries, lack of savings and indebtedness, poor living conditions, loss of lives, litigation and criminal costs, loss of time and money, lost productivity and divorce come to mind at random. This situation can be described as a disease which runs through all the members of the family and affects each of them differently.

To emphasize the main point of this dissertation again let us note that alcoholism has negative effects on the Sri Lankan economy, society and culture. Alcohol addiction is a sort of family cancer because it impairs the roles and ways of life of the whole family. Alcohol affects every member of the family from unborn children to the drinkers lifes partner. Its pervasive effects result not only in physical problems to the drinker; but also may result in natural and physical issues for other members of the family. Dealing with the problem of alcoholism is a complex matter and is often is not successful. Even if the drinker himself finally overcomes his problem, and make amends, the family members who were affected may not themselves ever recover fully from the damage they suffered f rom the drinkers addiction to alcohol.

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RESTRICTED This research was conducted to study some aspects of the harm caused by alcoholism and its effects on family issues in urban society. It will scrupulously examine what has happened to the individual, the family and society as a whole as a result of the alcoholism of an individual. There is no doubt that alcoholism has become a serious threat to our present-day society.

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

First I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to and sincerest appreciation of my directing staff Group Captain MD Rathnayake (MSc Def.Std in Mgt, MDS, psc) for his patient guidance, invaluable suggestions, encouragement and friendly discussion, all of which helped me to complete this study successfully. I extend my appreciation to Professor Carlo Fonseka, Chairman of the National Authority on Tobacco and Alcohol and Prof. Diyanath Samarasinghe of the Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo, for sharing with me their valuable knowledge and experience in this field of study. I convey my heartfelt gratitude to Wing Commander KMK Keppetipola Director Academy Staff and Squadron Leader GG Rubasinghe Registrar of the Academy, for teaching me research methodology, and for his guidance and suggestions at the initial stage of my study. Finally I dedicate this small piece of work to my beloved father whose unceasing support and understanding led me to success in all my endeavours.

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RESTRICTED TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title Page Declaration Abstract Acknowledgements List of Tables and Figures Annexes CHAPTER ONE CHAPTER TWO : Introduction : Literature Review

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CHAPTER THREE : Research Methodology 3.1 Field of Study 3.2 Organization of the Research Paper 3.3 Limitations 3.4 Type of Data 3.5 Primary Data 3.6 Secondary Data 3.7 Data Collection Methods 3.8 Population
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30 31 31 32 32 32 32-33 33

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RESTRICTED 3.9 Sample 3.10 Data Presentation Tools CHAPTER FOUR CHAPTER FIVE : Data Analysis : Findings, Recommendations and Conclusion Bibliography 57 34 36 37-52 53-56

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LIST OF TABLES AND FIGURES

LIST OF TABLES Table Table 4.1 Sample Distribution Table 4.2 Level of Education Table 4.3 Level of Income Table 4.4 Employment Status Table 4.5 Matters we should not do when preventing usage of alcohol Page 37-38 39 40 40 50-51

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RESTRICTED LIST OF FIGURES Figure Figure 2.1 Alcohol Consumption in Sri Lanka Figure 3.1 Population Distribution of Colombo District Figure 3.2 Sample Distribution Figure 4.1 Age Distribution Figure 4.2 Current Users of Alcohol Figure 4.3 Current Users of Alcohol (Age Distribution) Figure 4.4 Current Users of Alcohol (Level of Education) Figure 4.5 Current Users of Alcohol (Income Level) Figure 4.6 Frequency of Alcohol Use Figure 4.7 Frequency of Alcohol Use (Age Distribution) Figure 4.8 Feelings after Alcohol Use Figure 4.9 Reasons for Consuming Alcohol Figure 4.10 Relationship with Wife Figure 4.11 Relationship with Children Figure 4.12 Relationship with Family Relations Figure 4.13 Opinion about Alcohol Use Page 17 34 35 39 41 42 42 43 44 44 45 46 46 47 47 48

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ANNEXES

Annexes 1. Annexes A 2. Annexes B- English language questionnaire 3. Annexes C- Sinhala language questionnaire

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