Position Paper-Alcoholism
1. Identification of the issue.
Alcoholism is a chronic, progressive and potentially fatal disorder which leads to physical and psychological harm, and impaired social and vocational functioning. It is characterized by tolerance, physical dependence and/or pathological organ changes, all of which are the direct/indirect consequence of the alcohol ingested (Light 5). Alcoholism, also known as "alcohol dependence," can be recognized by four obvious symptoms.
The four symptoms of alcoholism are loss of control, craving, physical dependence, and tolerance. Loss of control, which is the inability of an individual to limit his or her alcohol consumption, usually occurs when a person has experienced or entered an emotional segment of his or her life with which he or she does not wish to cope. When that segment of his or her life has past, he or she tries to quit drinking but the individual 's craving, or strong need or compulsion to drink, compels them to continue. This need can be as strong as the need for basic necessities of life such as food, water, and air. Physical dependence, which is the body 's need for a substance, in this case alcohol, is revealed by withdrawal symptoms that consist of sweating, shakiness, nausea, and anxiety. These symptoms occur when alcohol use is abruptly halted after a period of heavy drinking. With regard to alcoholism, the last symptom, tolerance, is when more than the average amount of alcohol is needed in order for a person to "get high" or feel the effects of alcohol. Although alcoholism can definitely be classified as alcohol abuse, alcohol abuse is not necessarily classified as alcoholism.
The difference between alcohol abuse and alcoholism is that alcohol abuse lacks the intense cravings, typical loss of control, and identifiable physical dependence. However, the definition of alcohol abuse is more complex. It is comprised of several situations that an individual can relate to or identify with. The situations are the inability
Alcoholism is a chronic, progressive and potentially fatal disorder which leads to physical and psychological harm, and impaired social and vocational functioning. It is characterized by tolerance, physical dependence and/or pathological organ changes, all of which are the direct/indirect consequence of the alcohol ingested (Light 5). Alcoholism, also known as "alcohol dependence," can be recognized by four obvious symptoms.
The four symptoms of alcoholism are loss of control, craving, physical dependence, and tolerance. Loss of control, which is the inability of an individual to limit his or her alcohol consumption, usually occurs when a person has experienced or entered an emotional segment of his or her life with which he or she does not wish to cope. When that segment of his or her life has past, he or she tries to quit drinking but the individual 's craving, or strong need or compulsion to drink, compels them to continue. This need can be as strong as the need for basic necessities of life such as food, water, and air. Physical dependence, which is the body 's need for a substance, in this case alcohol, is revealed by withdrawal symptoms that consist of sweating, shakiness, nausea, and anxiety. These symptoms occur when alcohol use is abruptly halted after a period of heavy drinking. With regard to alcoholism, the last symptom, tolerance, is when more than the average amount of alcohol is needed in order for a person to "get high" or feel the effects of alcohol. Although alcoholism can definitely be classified as alcohol abuse, alcohol abuse is not necessarily classified as alcoholism.
The difference between alcohol abuse and alcoholism is that alcohol abuse lacks the intense cravings, typical loss of control, and identifiable physical dependence. However, the definition of alcohol abuse is more complex. It is comprised of several situations that an individual can relate to or identify with. The situations are the inability
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