Preview

Alcoholism

Powerful Essays
Open Document
Open Document
2576 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Alcoholism
Alcoholism
Alcoholism is a progressive and chronic disease that includes controlling drinking, using alcohol even though it causes problems, having physical dependence with alcohol, or having withdrawal symptoms when one tries to cut back or stop consuming alcohol. One can have a problem with alcohol and not have it progressed to alcoholism. That is called problem drinking which means one drinks too much causing repeated problem in their life. According to the Mayo Clinic (2012), binge drinking is a pattern where a male consumes five or more drinks in a row, or a female drinks at least four drinks in a row. Binge drinking can lead to the same health risks associated with alcoholism (Mayo, 2012). Not being able to stop drinking or cut back and denying you have a problem is a few of the things that come with alcoholism
Criteria for alcoholism based on the DSM V are an individual meeting any two of the eleven criteria during the same twelve month period. Examples of these criteria include: a persistent desire or unsuccessful efforts to cut down or control alcohol use, craving or strong desire or urge to use alcohol, and important social, occupational or recreational activities are given up or reduced because of alcohol use (NIH, 2013b).
As for ICD criteria, an individual must experience certain criteria as well. ICD criteria require an individual to experience three or more of the criteria occurring together for at least 1 month or if less than 1 month, occurring together repeatedly within a 12-month period. Examples of these criteria include: “Difficulties in controlling drinking in terms of onset, termination, or levels of use; drinking in larger amounts or over a longer period than intended; or a persistent desire or unsuccessful efforts to reduce or control drinking, Need for significantly increased amounts of alcohol to achieve intoxication or desired effect; or markedly diminished effect with continued use of the same amount of alcohol, or Important



References: Chung, P. & Pittman, J. (2013). Epocrates Online. Alcohol Abuse. Retrieved from https://online.epocrates.com/noFrame/showPage.do?method=diseases&MonographId=19 http://www.emedicinehealth.com/alcoholism/page8_em.htm Drink Aware.(2014).Health Effects of Alcohol Hasin, D. (2013). National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. Classification of Alcohol Use Disorders Mayo Clinic Staff. (2012). Alcoholism. Retrieved from http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/alcoholism/basics/definition/CON-20020866) National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIH). (2013a). Alcohol’s Effects on the ` Body. http://www.niaaa.nih.gov/alcohol-health/alcohols-effects-body National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. (NIH). (2013b). Alcohol Use Disorder. Retrieved from http://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/dsmfactsheet/dsmfact.pdf National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIH). (2013c). Epidemiology of Alcohol. Pelucchi, C., Tramacere, I., Boffetta, P., Negri, E., & Vecchia, C. (2011). Alcohol Consumption and Cancer Risk

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Powerful Essays

    ________ You must attend a A.A., N.A. or C.A. meeting at least three times a week, have a sponsor and be working on your recovery because sobriety is our primary…

    • 1733 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Action of Barbituates

    • 253 Words
    • 2 Pages

    5. Name some factors that often predict alcoholism? Poor learning ability, poor judgment, short-term memory is affected.…

    • 253 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Better Essays

    12 Step Program Report

    • 1143 Words
    • 5 Pages

    What is alcoholism? That seems to be a perplexing question. According to the report entitled This is A.A. An Introduction to the A.A.Recovery Program, “There is no formal A.A. definition of alcoholism…” but continues, “It can be described as a physical compulsion, coupled with a mental obsession” (This, 1984, p.9). This quote seems to describe how it feels to be an alcoholic. In the Brief Guide to Alcoholics Anonymous, “As A.A. sees it, alcoholism is an illness” (A brief, 1972, p.6). As the article also mentions, the American Medical Association defines alcoholism as an illness as well. No matter the definition, alcoholism causes numerous problems for the people who experience it.…

    • 1143 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    This is a result of the body’s organs being actively damaged. Drinking would also turn into the person’s only coping mechanism. At this point, the individual and the people around him/her most likely recognize that there is an issue, therefore the addict may be drinking in secret or making excuses to drink. The following phase is when physical effects begin to be more apparent. The individual would have developed a strong craving for alcohol and would suffer from withdrawal symptoms if the craving isn’t met.…

    • 609 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    There are many dangers that plague us in today’s society. One of the most pressing issues is that of driving under the influence of alcohol. This is a problem for many reasons. Firstly, driving while intoxicated is illegal. It shows the rising problem of substance abuse, and most importantly, driving drunk is deadly. According to "Drinkinganddriving.org" (2008-2013), "900,000 are arrested each year for DUI/DWI and a full 1/3 of those are repeat offenders”.…

    • 1181 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    References: CDC. (n.d.). Alcohol and Public Health - General Information on Alcohol Use and Health. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved February 17, 2010, from http://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/quickstats/general_info.htm…

    • 1571 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Better Essays

    The definition of alcoholism can be described as a chronic illness, which is marked by uncontrolled consumption of alcoholic beverages that interferes with physical or mental health, and social, family or occupational responsibilities (Medical Dictionary, Thesaurus and Encyclopedia.. n.d.)This dependence on alcohol has only been diagnosed as a medical disorder recently in the medical field. Like many other diseases, it has a predictable course, but whether it’s influenced environmentally or genetically is still up for debate. The disease can also be called progressive and fatal which means that the disease can persist over a long period of time, bodily changes progress as the drinking continues and can cause premature death through overdose, suicide, motor vehicle crashes and complications of the brain, liver, heart, and other organs. Alcoholism can be detected by four basic symptom’s, they are, tolerance which is the increasing need to drink excessive amounts to feel its affects, also impaired control which is the problem of not being able to stop oneself from drinking at any given time. Craving is another symptom characterized by a strong compulsion to drink, and lastly is physical dependence which shows withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety, sweating, nausea or shakiness (Nature vs. Nurture: A Continuing Debate |…

    • 1189 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    Alcohol addiction is simply defined as a compulsive need for an intoxicating liquid that is obtained from fermented grain or fruit. These liquids include beer, wine, and other hard liquors. Alcoholism is present when a person craves alcohol and cannot limit or contain his or her drinking. If someone experiences withdrawal symptoms such as nausea, sweating, shakiness, or anxiety when alcohol consumption has ceased, or if there is a need to drink greater amounts of alcohol in order to feel a high, that person is most likely alcoholic. Behavioral Health of the Palm Beaches is one of the nation’s top rehabilitation centers for alcohol and addiction is located on the Lake Worth campus. They have successfully helped thousands…

    • 296 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Within that, acceptable alcohol use can mean lots of things: some people are fine with having a few drinks and feel that this is perfectly acceptable morally and that it doesn't impeed on their goals and every day function. Many only feel they have a problem when they can't function at all and they lose their job or children. And still, others may feel a deep conviction if were to even think about having an alcoholic drink. So to even consider what makes someone feel they have a problem with alcohol varies greatly. This, in my opinion, should be considered when deciding upon treatment someone tries to control their drinking or abstain from it all together. I feel that if someone follows what convicts their heart as an individual, they will have the best success in…

    • 1181 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Ptsd and Alcoholism

    • 1661 Words
    • 7 Pages

    Flavin, D. K., & Morse, R. M. (1991). What is alcoholism?. Alcohol Health & Research World,…

    • 1661 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Sonne , Sonne C. , Sonne C. PharmD , and kathleen T. M.D. Ph. D. Brady . "Understanding the impact of alcohol on human health and well-being ." National Institute On Alcohol Abuse And Alcoholism . n. page. Web. 12 Feb. 2013.…

    • 1301 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    The DSM 5 defines substance use disorders as a “cluster of cognitive, behavioral, and physiological symptoms indicating that the individual continues using the substance despite significant substance-related problems” (American Psychiatric Association, 2013, p. 483). Within the broad category of substance use disorders are listed disorders for each of the following substances: alcohol, cannabis, inhalants, sedatives, hypnotics, anxiolytics, tobacco, stimulants, hallucinogens, and opioids. The disorders are classified in severity by the terms mild, moderate, or severe based on the number of criteria met by the patient. There are eleven criteria defined in the DSM 5. Those criteria are:…

    • 1341 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. (2002, October). Alcohol Alert, 58. Retrieved March 17, 2004, from the World Wide Web: http://www.niaaa.nih.gov/ publications/aa58.htm.…

    • 1093 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Binge Drinking

    • 1107 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Binge drinking usually refers to drinking lots of alcohol in a short space of time or drinking with the intention to get drunk. Researchers define binge drinking as consuming eight or more units in a single session for men and six or more for women. Due to the long-term effects of alcohol misuse, binge drinking is considered to be a major public health issue. Binge drinking has become more popular in several countries worldwide, and overlaps somewhat with social drinking since it is often done in groups.…

    • 1107 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    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.…

    • 2743 Words
    • 11 Pages
    Powerful Essays