РефератыИностранный языкAlAlcohol Essay Research Paper Alcohol abuse is

Alcohol Essay Research Paper Alcohol abuse is

Alcohol Essay, Research Paper


Alcohol abuse is a very dangerous condition in that it can cause many


problems in a persons life and affect many aspects of their lifestyle.


Alcoholism (or alcohol abuse) somehow effects everyone’s life at some point


in time; through a parent, a sibling, a friend, or even personal encounters.


Alcohol abuse, as a medical diagnosis, refers to a pattern of behavior


characterized by excessive alcohol consumption. This consumption can occur


at regular intervals, regular weekend intervals, or during binges, which are


considered as being intoxicated for at least two successive days. Difficulty in


stopping, reducing the amount of alcohol use, and impaired


social/occupational role functioning are all characteristics of alcohol abuse. A


number of theories in the medical feild are used to explain alcohol abuse.


These are the biologic-genetic model, learning/social model, the


psychodynamic model, and the multidimensional model .Each different model,


for alcoholism have varied explanations as to how and why people use and


abuse alcohol. The biologic-genetic model states that there is a specific


genetic vulnerability for alcoholism. There has been extensive studies on


factors in the genes that could determine or influence the use of alcohol from


generation to generation. However, these studies have shown no hard


evidence for an association between alcoholism and inherited factors. The


learning and social model proposes that alcoholism is a process that is slowly


developed within a social situation or atmosphere. This model of alcoholism


has also been researched by using both human and animal subjects. A


conditioning model of alcohol tolerance has demonstrated that specific cues


from the environment such as odor, sight, and taste, produce a stimulus that


results in alcohol consumption. If ethanol, the addictive ingredient in alcohol ,


is not supplied, a psychological compensatory response called a craving is


produced. The psychodynamic model of alcoholism proposes that


problematic child rearing practices produce psychosexual maldevelopment


and dependence/independece conflicts. It is believed that while habitual


alcohol use is in process, the habitual drinker may use behavior such as


exaggeration, denial, rationalization, and affiliation with socially deviant


groups. Results of these behaviors may include decreased work efficiency,


job loss, alienation of frien

ds and family, or even hospitalization. The


multidimensional model of alcoholism combines the interaction of biological,


behavioral, and sociocultural factors. These three factors contribute together


to make the strongest model, in which most alcoholics fit. The biological


model relates to the progression from occasional initial relief drinking, to the


increase of tolerance, and from loss of memory during heavy drinking periods


to an urgency of drinking. The behavioral model is helpful in the identification


of high-risk situations, in which alcoholics are most likely to be ritualistally


drinking. Sociocultural factors are present in peer interaction around drinking


as a primary activity for entertainment. This can lead to the preference of


drinking for social interaction. Ideas such as this are influenced greatly, and


shaped by media through commercials, television portrayal of alcohol use as


a coping skill, and the belief that the use of alcohol to reduce life’s stress is


socially acceptable. Another area in which alcohol is looked at as all right,


comes during the aging process. The death of a spouse, job relocation,


retirement, or loss of health put older people at risk of alcoholism and is


identified as having late-onset alcoholism. Alcoholism can be divided into


several subtypes. Gamma alcoholism applies to binge drinkers who alternate


periods of sobriety and drunkenness. An example of gamma alcoholism


would be a college student who engages in heavy binge drinking. In contrast,


beta alcoholism is manifested by physical complications of chronic alcohol


use such as cirrhosis, weakening of the liver, heart, stomach, and esophagus.


An example of a beta alcoholic would be a housewife who is a maintenance


drinker and experiences withdrawal symptoms. A number of issues also


arises among characteristics of alcoholism. Behavioral problems are often


visible signs. Poor school grades, rambling speech, disciplinary problems,


excessive fighting, truancy, vandalism, and hyperactivity are all possible signs


of alcoholism. Alcoholism is a disease that is very serious and complicated.


The curing of alcoholism is a difficult process which requires accepting the


presence of the condition, self realization, and support. As a person begins to


achieve control over their drinking problem, by implementing new coping


strategies, and increasing a sense of competence and hope, a new phase of


life is entered.

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