Alcoholism The Disease : Alcoholism And Alcoholism

Alcoholism is one of the most intractable and pervasive psychological disorders known. Though the negative health consequences of alcohol are widely understood, and, if anything, the social consequences of alcoholism are even more widely acknowledged, it seems that no matter what steps are taken by public health officials or private organizations, no strategy can ever be fully developed for eradicating alcoholism. There are a number of reasons why this is true. This paper will explore some of the social and medical problems created by alcohol, but in it I will also consider the role of alcohol in my personal life and the way I have seen the disease play out in the lives of people around me. The paper will also examine the social and political responses to the problem of alcoholism and attempt to determine where productive approaches have been taken and areas where mistakes have been made. Before discussing such wide-ranging questions, it is important to understand what alcoholism is and how it is manifested.

In the article, “Alcoholism is a disease”, it says that U.S. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) explains that alcoholism is a disease. They say this is a disease just like diabetes or high blood pressure. They say you can also inherit alcoholism. It says that alcoholism can be “treated with and various medications, alcoholism cannot be cured.” it also says that “In the organization's opinion, the best treatment for alcoholism is to stop drinking completely.” NIAAA is the leading U.S. agency for research on alcohol abuse, alcoholism, and other health effects of alcohol. They say that the disease is so strong that an alcoholic needs alcohol just like a person needs food or water. It has also been proven that an alcoholic will continue to drink even if they have health problems or if their family does not

Alcohol is the most abused licit psychoactive drugs that affect one 's ability to think rationally and distorts their judgement if consumed excessively. Alcohol addiction is an illness arising from prolonged and excessive intake of alcoholic drinks. An alcoholic is a person suffering from alcohol addiction. Prolonged excessive use of large quantities can eventually lead to chronic health diseases like cirrhosis of the liver, anaemia, cardiovascular disease, dementia, depression seizures, gout and alcohol related accidents and crime. Statistics show that 9 million people in England drink more than the recommended daily intake while an estimated 8.697 died of alcohol-related deaths in 2014. According to the WHO worldwide alcohol causes 1.8 million deaths (3.2% of total) and 58.3 million (4% of total) of Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs). Alcohol beverages with varied percentage content are consumed globally during religious, social, cultural events, festivals and other occasions. The use of alcoholic beverages has been an integral part of many cultures for thousands of years (McGovern, 2009). Over the centuries, there have been ongoing measures, research, interventions and policies which are aimed at promoting the moderate use of alcohol with a particular emphasis on preventing or reducing undesired outcomes. This essay will outline the key components of brief interventions in alcohol, the difference in approach with traditional methods of treatment and in conclusion, the

While consumption of alcohol is a socially acceptable practice in our society, issues arise when abuse occurs. Donatelle and Thompson (2011) define alcohol abuse as the "excessive consumption or a level of consumption that interferes with work, school, or social and family relationships" (256). As with other drug addictions, this abuse is disruptive to the alcohol abusers life as well as to those close to them. Moreover, alcohol abuse is accompanied by many devastating effects for all demographics. The harms associated with the misuse and abuse of alcohol includes: harm to oneself, negative effects on friendships and social life, and negative affects to physical

Based on the results of Swedish adoption studies, some researchers divide alcoholism into two types. Type I, the most common, occurs in both men and women and is associated with adult-onset alcohol dependence. This form, also known as "milieu-limited" alcoholism, appears to be the result of "genetic predisposition and environmental provocation," according to NIAAA's 1991 publication Alcohol Research: Promise for the Decade--that is, the development of alcoholism in these cases is an interaction between inherited predisposition and the person's life situations.

In today's modern society alcohol addiction and alcohol abuse has become one of the most complex, life-threatening issues. Most depressed individuals usually indulge themselves in bars or pubs with their alcohols to escape from their stressful life. It has become increasingly alarming how alcohol does not only attract the adults, but also teenagers these days. "Research has shown that approximately 14 million Americans (7.4%) of the population meet the diagnostic criteria for alcohol abuse or alcoholism" ("Facts about Alcohol"). Alcohol addicts may encounter social impact such as loss of respect from others who may see the problem as self- inflictive and easily avoided. Repeated use of alcohol over a period of time can result in

Does the environment that one grows up in contribute to alcoholism or is alcoholism determined by genetics? It wasn’t until 1991 that alcoholism was considered both a medical and psychiatric disease by the American Medical Association. Alcoholism is defined in the dictionary as a chronic disorder characterized by dependence on alcohol, repeated excessive use of alcoholic beverages, the development of withdrawal symptoms on reducing or ceasing intake, morbidity that may include cirrhosis of the liver, and decreased ability to function socially and vocationally. (dictionary.com). It is also defined as an addiction to the consumption of alcoholic liquor or the mental illness

Alcoholism is an issue in the United States, Germany, and Italy among teenagers and adults. Teenagers are consuming alcohol at a younger age and getting more addicted to alcoholism than adults. (Allamani, 2008) (Grant, 2012) (Rosta, 2004) There are different types of prevalence among these three states all three states talk about alcoholism being a disease, what they don’t know that there are many reasons and causes why people consume alcohol. Germany stated that the reason for alcoholism is due to physical and psychological disorders. (Rosta, 2004) This is also a lifestyle that people in Germany go by from consuming alcohol day by day in their everyday lifestyle. For alcohol users, this is their everyday habit just as cigarette smokers have

    As previously stated, alcoholism is a huge problem that needs more attention. Alcoholism is “an addiction to the consumption of alcoholic liquor or the mental illness and compulsive behavior resulting from alcohol dependency.” Studies show that the current use of alcohol is highest among ages eighteen to thirty-four. The data recorded from middle school and high school is shocking. Sixty-six percent of 7-12 graders have reported having a drink before in their lifetime (Farrell, Jennifer “Parents Awareness of Dangers of Underage Drinking”). Not only are the number of underage drinkers shocking, but the number of women who drink daily is quite surprising. Seventy-five percent of women ages twenty-six to thirty-four drink alcohol

Alcoholism is genetic to a great extent. Studies indicate that alcoholism is 50% to 60% associated with genetic factors (McGue). It is also apparent that alcoholism almost always occurs when there is both a predisposition for the disease and environmental factors that have the ability to stimulate the disease are present. Such environments include those where drinking was tolerated or encouraged or where alcohol abuse was present, making it seem like a norm.

According to the American Society of Addiction Medicine, “Addiction is characterized by the inability to consistently Abstain, Impairment in Behavioral control; Craving; or increased “hunger” for drugs or rewarding experiences, diminished recognition of significant problems with one’s behaviors and interpersonal relationships; and a dysfunctional emotional response.” On the contrary the definition of a disease, according to Oxford Dictionary, is “a disorder of structure or function in a human, animal, or plant, especially one that produces specific symptoms or that affects a specific location and is not simply a direct result of physical injury.” Both definitions can greatly relate to what alcoholism is and as to why it is so closely related to both. Many believe that alcoholism is a disease. Something that relates to genetics and the person who has the disease

Alcohol is one of the most commonly abused substances in America today. It is legal for adults to obtain and fairly inexpensive. Alcoholism as a disease is and can be harmful on a low level of consumption. Alcohol can also be harmful on a low level of consumption. Alcohol can also be harmful on a high level of consumption. There are many ways to consume alcohol, and a person can be pressured into consuming, but if you have problems there are ways to seek help if you want it.

results will have varies test used to examine the cause and effects of alcoholism and

I can still remember the emptiness and vastness I felt when entering our new empty apartment. My mother, brother and I had finally left the shelter we were living in. My father was still allowed to see us then, however there were certain restrictions - we had to have our visits in a public place(we couldn't go to his home), he had to keep his distance from my mom, and he had to attend AA meetings to deal with his alcoholism. Even though he had done much to hurt us, my mom gave him countless chances because she knew that If it wasn't for being an alcoholic, he would be a very successful man with an aspiring chef career. Yet, it was all a waste. After violating the court orders by not attending any meetings, missing court appointments and even

In the United States, 17.6 million people – about one in every 12 adults, abuse alcohol or are alcohol dependent. (NIH: National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, 2012) The Mayo Clinic defines alcoholism as a chronic disease in which your body becomes dependent on alcohol (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2010), and indicates that more than 100,000 Americans die annually from alcohol related causes (Johnson) . Aside from the physical problems that alcohol addiction can create, there are frequently emotional and social complications. Alcoholism is a disease that harms not only the alcoholic, but also the co-workers and family of the alcoholic.