Withdrawal from Alcohol Addiction

Alcohol use has spanned history. In fact, there is speculation that alcohol use actually preceded the formation of societies (Doweiko, 2015, p. 30). Thus, alcohol has long been a part of mankind’s life. The function of alcohol has unarguably changed throughout the course of history, as it was first used for nutritional purposes and then later on for religious purposes (Doweiko, 2015, p. 32). Today, alcohol serves a social purpose. In the United States, the prevalence of use is quite high, with just over 50% of the population partaking monthly (Doweiko, 2015, p. 34). This statistic is somewhat alarming considering alcohol use comes with a number of potential adverse consequences. Case in point, even

The article by Bierut et al. 2010 is a discovery science article, in which there are no hypotheses tested. This article focuses on alcohol dependence and the genetic influences that may contribute to the rapid growing dependency. Various case subjects were used to analyze the results from, the Collaborative Study on the Genetics of Alcoholism (COGA), Family Study of Cocaine Dependence (FSCD) in addition to the Collaborative Genetic Study of Nicotine Dependence (COGEND). This genome-wide association case study Bierut et. al analyzed various single nucleotide polymorphisms, likewise known as, SNPs, that are capable of being genetically linked to alcohol dependency. SNPs are nucleotides that contain genetic variation in the genome as well as, vary between individuals.

Alcoholism, in some way or another, affects everyone, as it is ever-present in nearly every aspect of American culture. Although there are numerous different opinions on the true main influence that causes alcoholism in an individual, it is an undeniable fact that alcoholism is an addiction, which is a disease of the mind. Alcoholism cannot be fought and cured in just a few days, it takes support from loved ones, willpower, and a competent treatment center. Alcoholism is not a game to be toyed with, is is a very serious issue, which affects many individuals and their families like mine throughout the U.S. I hope that you, whoever reads this essay, learned the biological factors that influence alcoholism, as well as the social and biographical

Addiction is a complex disease that is influenced by several factors including: genetic, developmental, experiential and environmental factors (Goldstein & Volkow, 2002). Alcohol dependence, otherwise referred to as alcoholism, is characterized by frequent use of alcohol resulting in intoxication, a preoccupation with alcohol, compulsion to seek and consume alcohol, the inability to limit alcohol intake and the emergence of negative emotional state when the drug is absent (Gilpin & Koob, 2008; Ernst et al., 2012; Kunce, & Newton, 1989; Crews, 2012). There is an estimated 85,000 deaths annually caused by unhealthy alcohol consumption. Medical issues such as liver disease, neurological problems and malignancies, in addition to behavioral and

Alcohol abuse is something that has affected countless lives, both mentally and physically. There are numerous disorders linked to this abuse, from Substance-Induced Anxiety Disorders to Alcohol-Induced Psychotic Disorder. These disorders have varying affects on the body and the person’s lives, and can cause serious injury and/or have serious side effects. A US Department of Justice study found that as many as 40% of violent crimes occur under the influence of alcohol. Of the 3.9 million Americans who received treatment for a substance abuse problem in 2005, 2.5 million of them were treated for alcohol use. Drinking alcohol to the point of dependence poses a severe health

Most people have a confused idea of alcoholism as a disease that invades or attacks your good health. Use of such a strong word such as "disease" shapes the values and attitudes of society towards alcoholics. A major implication of the disease concept is that what is labeled a "disease" is held to be justifiable because it is involuntary. This is not so. Problem drinking is a habit in which the so-called "alcoholic" simply has decided that the benefits of drinking outweigh the liabilities; it is all a matter of personal choice. An alcoholic participates in or causes many of their own problems by their behavior and the decisions they make, so why should they be viewed as helpless victims of a "disease"(Skipper 1)? Alcoholism should not be

1986). Genetic and environmental factors play a role in the development of alcoholism. Whole-genome expression profiling has highlighted the importance of several genes that may contribute to alcohol abuse disorders. Over the last several decades many studies have been conducted to look at how the environment and genetics plays a role in drinking habits. Because alcoholism is so complex it is very difficult to pinpoint one single gene that may cause someone to become an alcoholic. However, there have been two genes found to influence alcohol abuse and alcoholism DRD2 and SLC6A4. DRD2 gene influences binge drinking and alcohol dependence when drinking is used to cope with negative emotions. SLC6A4 gene, a serotonin transporter, doesn’t appear to be connected with drinking to cope with emotions. Instead, the gene is intertwined with cravings and urges to consume alcohol in those that are dependent. (Elements Behavioral Health, 2016) Several recent studies have emphasized how alcohol exposure can result in aberrant epigenetic regulatory mechanisms during development, leading to FASD. For example, alcohol consumption by the mother altered DNA methylation profiles in mouse embryos, resulting in neurofacial deficits and growth retardation, both of which are hallmarks of FASD (Liu et al.

Contrary to popular belief, genetics account for about 50% of the likelihood that someone will develop an alcohol addiction. (Horvath, T.)

McGue (1999) found that genes contribute to the development of alcohol dependence, with heritability estimates from 50-60% for both men and women.

Beirut et al. (2010) and Kalsi et al. (2008) focus on genes that are correlated to alcohol dependency or AD. The disease can be described as the constant need to consume alcohol. Although not as discussed, genetic variants play a role in individuals developing alcoholism. Through a genome-wide association study, these articles were able to identify and interpret some variants that relate to this disease.

The consequences of alcohol abuse serve as a danger to an alcoholic’s physical, mental, emotional, and social health, in addition to serious outcomes for the abusers career, family and friends (“Alcohol Addiction Signs” 2015, para. 2). Due to the use of alcohol abusing, these main points will be affected the most in the abusers life. (“Alcohol Addiction Signs”) states “This alcoholism can cause irreversible damage to critical organs and body systems such as the Liver, Nervous system, Heart, Stomach, and the brain (para. 2). Alcohol abuse produces other medical side effects as well. “Common medical side

Problems have been plaguing people who drink for centuries. Despite a tremendous amount of researcher with alcoholism into the cause of alcoholism and effective treatments, no one has been able to stop it yet. Alcoholism or alcohol dependence is defined by the American Medical Association (AMA) as "a primary, chronic disease with genetic, psychosocial, and environmental factors influencing its development and manifestations” (Medical-Dictionary). Like any disease, alcoholism effects people’s heath and their behavior. People who continue to drink usually become physically sick, suffer in their relationships with family and friends, and may eventually die from the disease. Currently, the National Organization of Children of Alcoholics estimates that there are “twenty-six million, eight hundred thousand alcoholics living in the United States. Of these, eleven million are under the age of eighteen”. “Almost 1 out of 5 children live with an alcoholic while growing up” (NACOA). These statistics are frightening for several reasons; the impact of alcoholism on the lives of children is significant, the cost of dealing with the problem of alcoholism is astronomical, and the effects of alcoholism on our whole society are too pervasive to document. Alcoholism needs to be treated though treatment is not always effective. In order to recover from the disease, the alcoholic must want to stop drinking. Unfortunately, many

Alcohol dependence is known to be the most severe form of alcohol abuse. A person becomes so dependent on alcohol consumption that he/she loses sight of all the other important things going on around him/her. Family matters and social responsibilities become secondary worries to his/her primary concern for existence, which is drinking (Stephens, 2007). Nearly fourteen million Americans are somewhat dependent on alcohol. Alcohol dependence is more prominent in men, and young adults ages 18-29 (Stephens, 2007). According to a study done by Saitz “85,000 deaths, along with substantial disability from medical and psychiatric consequences, injuries and “secondhand” effects (ex: motor vehicle crashes) are attributed to the use of alcohol” (Saitz, 2005).

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.

The term “alcoholism” describes a drinker who is mentally and physically dependent on alcohol, and who would most likely have withdrawal symptoms upon trying to quit. This dependence prevents most alcoholics from being able to control when they drink and how much they drink. For that reason, alcoholics usually drink to excess despite the consequences. Alcoholism, like any addiction, is a chronic disorder which involves continued use despite negative consequences and requires ongoing treatment and management. This research paper will cover many aspects of alcoholism including the causes and effects of drinking and different treatment approaches.