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.…
Alcoholism is an addiction/disease that may start out just by drinking with friends on the weekends socially. The general alcoholic is one whom starts drinking socially and then recognizes that they are unable to stop like some of their friends. Eventually they begin to develop a tolerance and have to actually drink more to feel the same feelings the felt before. Once they realize they are becoming an alcoholic is when they actually start drinking alone or think that they have to drink just to study for tests. The disease/addiction is telling them they have to study under the influence because the definitely don't make better grades by studying. Most of the time these alcoholics are in denial and it takes something “bad” happening before they realize they have a problem.…
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 |…
Alcoholism is a very dangerous disorder that many people are suffering from. A lot of Americans don’t realize that alcoholism is a big deal, and they may not even know someone very close to them is an alcoholic. For the paper I chose to sit in on an alcohol anonymous meeting and this is what I observed.…
In conclusion, the impacts of alcohol abuse are physical, mental and rationally. It can bring about numerous issues that influence your life in all viewpoints. Excess of alcohol can change your mind, muscles, assimilation procedure, and different issue that influence your wellbeing. It likewise can bring about you sadness or changes in your conduct that outcome in issues with your family, companions and with…
First, Substance abuse. Our social issue deals mainly with abusing the use of alcohol. Alcohol is often confused as a stimulant because it makes a person feel “happy”, but alcohol is considered a depressant drug. Depressants are drugs that decrease the functioning of the nervous system. Alcohol is the most commonly abused depressant. Millions of people in the U.S suffer from alcoholism. Alcohol indirectly stimulates the GABA neurotransmitter, which is the brains major depressant/ inhibitory transmitter, and slows/ stops neural activity. Alcohol depresses inhibitions. It causes motor skills, and speech to be affected. Alcoholism causes black outs/ memory loss, liver disease,…
Alcoholism is characterized by the addiction to alcohol that is out of the drinker's control. Not being able to stop using alcohol can cause severe physical, mental, emotional and spiritual consequences. Alcoholism is a chronic progressive disease that can be fatal if left untreated. In reality people drink for many reasons such as; it helps them relax, gives them confidence, helps them sleep, helps reduce anxiety, stops them from worrying about things, deal with stress, deal with panic attacks, because they are depressed, because they are dependant on it, even to counter-act withdrawal symptoms. With these reasons people use alcohol to self medicate, but what they don't know is that in reality it makes…
This week I decided to do a reflection on an article about "Alcoholism" I read a few years back. Alcoholism, is a progressive illness involving excessive ingestion of alcohol. Alcoholism, as opposed to merely excessive or irresponsible drinking has been variously thought of as a symptom of psychological o social stress or as a learned behavior. More recently it has come to be viewed as a complex disease . Alcoholism develops over a period of years. A common symptom includes placing excessive importance on the availability of alcohol. Alcoholics have a high tolerance to alcohol, consuming more and showing less effects than others. Alcohol is a leading cause for death which causes nearly 4 percent of deaths worldwide, more than Aids, tuberculosis, or violence. Approximately 2.5 million people die each year from alcohol related causes. I also choose this topic because a week ago as you know, my father died in his sleep. He was an alcoholic for over 20 years, on and off trying to get sober. At times my father drank about 5 or 6 cups of rum and coke daily until he drank himself to death. What my father neglected to realize was alcoholism can lead to organ damage such as cirrhosis of the liver, epilepsy, or gastritis. Alcoholism is a disease, it sometimes is genetic and environmental factors have plenty to do with its development. An example in this case would be my grandmother, she drinks beer all through the day and ever since my father was little seeing this probably caused him to want to drink as well. Alcoholism's first stage is craving; a strong need for the drink. Second is a loss of control which is where you become unable to control or limit one's drinking. The third sage is physical dependence such as withdrawal symptoms. The fourth and final stage is tolerance, the need to drink cup after cup to achieve your high or buzz. Characteristics of severe physical dependence are cravings and…
2. A successful treatment may mean that the alcoholics can return to work and maintain a stable life…
Druglit.wps Alcoholism / A Realistic Case : A 10 page narrative illustratively detailing the author 's experience with a friend who was discovered to be an alcoholic. Near the report 's conclusion, an analysis is made based upon common concepts and terminologies taught in health and even sociology classes. No bibliography. Alcojeff.wps The Validity of Alcoholism as a Disease: A 5 page paper exploring the possibilities that alcoholism is not, in fact, a disease.…
Alcoholism, also known as alcohol dependence, is a disease. Alcoholism is a chronic, often progressive disease with symptoms that include a strong need to drink despite negative consequences, such as serious job, relationships, or health problems. Like many other diseases, it has a generally predictable course, has recognized symptoms, and is influenced by both genetic and environmental factors that are being increasingly well defined. (Source: excerpt from Alcohol Abuse and Treatment: NWHIC)…
alcoholic has is when their body becomes so used to the drug that it now needs…
During the post-war period, there were influential “intellectual changes and cultural shifts regarding drinking,” making attitudes towards drinking more favorable. In the ten years between 1940 to 1950, the growing attitude of academic and professional health groups towards the consumption of alcohol was that alcohol problems were less of a social control issue and defined them to be focused on “alcoholism and [alcoholics].” As a result of this changing perception, the modern alcoholism movement began. According to this movement, drinking moderately was socially acceptable behavior and alcoholism was the true problem. The movement believed that “only a minority of the population was afflicted with the disease of alcoholism” which meant that…
Alcoholics are obsessed with alcohol and cannot control how much they consume, even if it is causing serious problems at home, work, and financially.…
Alcoholism accounts for problems in society beyond the immediate consequences suffered solely by the alcoholic. Violence, economic impact to work environments, traffic accidents, and domestic problems are all caused or exacerbated by the use of alcohol (who.int). Among those impacted the most are the millions of children of alcoholics. "According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) 7.5 million children -- about 10.5 percent of the US population under age 18 -- live with a parent who suffered an alcohol use disorder (The Mama Bear Effect, 2013)."…