Final answer:
Women are generally more susceptible to alcohol addiction and may suffer physical damage with lower levels of consumption compared to men, due to physiological differences. Excessive alcohol consumption can negatively impact health, increasing risks of accidents and chronic conditions. Social and psychological factors also contribute to the complexity of alcohol addiction.
Step-by-step explanation:
When considering who is more likely to become addicted to alcohol between Jennifer, a 21-year-old woman, and Sam, a 21-year-old man, it is generally observed that women are at a higher risk of developing addiction and physical damage at lower levels of consumption. This is due to several physiological differences including body water composition, hormonal effects, and metabolism. Guidelines recommend that alcohol should be consumed in moderation, which is defined as up to one drink per day for women and up to two drinks per day for men, only by adults of legal drinking age.
Excessive alcohol consumption can lead to a multitude of negative health effects such as lack of coordination, blurred vision, impaired judgment, and an increased risk of accidents, physiological disorders, and certain types of cancer. Furthermore, the immediate effect of alcohol varies by individual based on factors such as age, sex, and pre-existing health conditions, influencing blood alcohol concentration (BAC) levels.
We must also consider social and psychological factors that could influence addiction. Individuals like Kaila, who refuse to admit they have an alcohol problem while unable to abstain from drinking excessively, exhibit a sign of potential addiction. The broader impacts of parental alcohol abuse on child welfare and the association between risky behaviors like drinking and public health crises such as HIV/AIDS are also important considerations in understanding the full scope of alcohol's potential harm.