...There is a legal substance in the United States that causes a lot of harm to the body, and in women can cause problems in pregnancy. It can be detrimental to organs, affect motor function, and inhibit necessary functions in our brain. When used in excess it can cause unbelievably severe withdrawal affects like transient hallucinations, withdrawal delirium, hand tremors, and many others; but despite all of the negativities this substance is still legal in the United States, and it is called alcohol (Abnormal Psychology). Because alcohol is legal in the United States, it is frequently used, and because of frequent use, there is quite a bit known about alcoholism and the problems it entails. The Mayo Clinic described alcohol use disorder, or...
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...wanted to research on alcoholisms as a disease in this last paper. I have to say I totally disagree with the American Medical Association that in 1956 decided that alcoholism is a disease. I feel alcoholism is not a disease with invasive pathology, nor do I believe that it is a disease of genetics gone awry. Alcoholism has nothing to do with irresistible impulses or uncontrollable urges. Alcoholism is a disease of volition in my opinion. In this paper I will discuss why some people feel this is a disease, and why some people feel this is not a disease, but the choice of the individual. Since the American Medical Association decided that alcoholism is a disease more than 30 years ago, and this issue is still debated. I have to ask the question what does support the concept of alcoholism as a disease. There is an abundance of information out there on this subject. The research I have done says that it is important to know that alcoholism is a illness, and no one asked to become chemically dependent, it is not your fault if you or your loved one is involved in alcoholism. And you should not feel guilty. You would not blame someone for having caner, or diabetes. Dorland’s Medical Dictionary defines disease as. “A definite morbid process having a characteristic train of symptoms; it may be the whole body or any of its parts, and its etiology, pathology, an prognosis may be known or unknown.” Alcoholism has strong...
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...in todays society, but it is also a growing problem in Americas teenagers. I will be discussing several point in this paper from various studies to what exactly alcoholism is and the different dangers of this disease. This is a very personal topic to me so I hope you enjoy my research paper. The first point being addressed is what exactly alcoholism is. According to The Reader’s Digest Great Encyclopedic Dictionary, alcoholism “is a diseased condition resulting from the excessive use or persistent use of alcoholic beverages.” Alcoholism has divided into two major forms--alcohol abuse and alcohol dependence (Goodwin 1998). Alcohol abuse is the excessive consumption of alcohol which has detrimental effects on the people and situations surrounding an individual; whereas, alcohol dependence is a physical attachment to the alcohol. Alcohol abuse leads to hazardous behavior, such as drunken driving and continued drinking despite negative consequences on family, work, or social functioning. Alcohol dependence involves withdrawal symptoms when alcohol is not used, and lack of control over drinking despite serious social and medical problems (Goodwin 1998). Various studies have been performed to show the relationship between alcoholism and genetics. New research on male twins show that genes play a critical role in the development of milder forms of alcoholism, such as, occasional abuse that can land the drinker in dangerous circumstances, particularly while driving (Goodwin 1998)...
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...objective of this research paper is to identify and address those aspects of alcoholism, which contribute to it as a medical disease. True, alcoholism has many ramifications for society as well as the economy, but the focus of this paper shall be, for the most part, on the medical aspects. In the way of background, alcoholism refers to the drinking of alcoholic beverages to such a degree that major aspects of the individual’s life -such as work, school, family relationships or personal SAFETY AND HEALTH, above all, are seriously and repeatedly interfered with. Alcoholism is considered a disease, meaning that it follows a characteristic course with known physical, psychological, and social systems. The alcoholic continues to consume alcohol despite the destructive consequences. Alcoholism is serious, progressive, and irreversible. If not treated, it can be fatal. It is generally thought that once the disease has developed, the alcoholic will not drink normally again. An alcoholic who abstains from drinking, however, can regain control over the aspects of life with which ALCOHOL interfered. The alcoholic is then said to be “recovering” not “cured” of the disease. It is important to note that the particular symptoms and pattern of DRINKING PROBLEMS may vary with the individual. ALCOHOLISM is, therefore, a very complex disorder, and it is this very complexity which has led some recent researchers to question the accuracy of the disease concept of alcoholism. A person does...
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...Research the Westwood online library and/or other sources and prepare a written assignment addressing the early research into the addictive nature of alcohol by E.M. Jellinek. At a minimum your paper should be 250 words or more and should address, but is not limited to the importance of his research, and how his research affected or set the stage for alcoholic treatment programs. Suggested resources: Phases in the Drinking History of Alcoholics by E.M. Jellinek, Sc.D. Alcoholism in San Francisco by Babow, Watts, Auerback, and Callaway An Overview of Alcoholism Research by J. Fox Alcoholism, a Genus and Some of Its Species by E.M. Jellinek, Sc.D. The Withdrawal Syndrome in Alcoholism by E.M. Jellinek, Sc.D. Prepare an APA formatted reference page citing the resource(s) used to conduct your research. Discussion points to assist with your assignment... Theories differ greatly as to the cause of drug abuse and alcoholism. The medical model theory suggests that much of a person’s behavior is based on a biological predisposition. This means inappropriate behavior is based on a biological dysfunction. Therefore, all drug abuse cannot be avoided, and some people are born with a propensity to abuse chemicals. With that as a basis, it’s only logical that we would look at substance use disorders (SUD) as treatable only through counselors and other mental health physicians and not treatable as a disease. Another theory considers alcoholism to be a disease and therefore...
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...The situation I will be discussing in this paper is dealing with a family member who is an alcoholic. This would be categorized as a problem because all people would agree that alcoholism is dangerous and destructive. If this were an issue, people would have varying points of view on whether or not alcoholism is bad. I have never experienced anyone who disagrees with the problem of alcoholism. I would express this problem as creating a solution to enlighten the family member on the dangers of alcohol, getting them to admit they have a problem, and convincing them to seek treatment. In my experience, I have found that most addicts do not want to see that they are being destructive or that they have a problem. Because of this, I will need to research the causes of and treatments for alcoholism in order to create an effective plan of action. Researching medical journals on the subject should provide me with the biological factors that make someone an alcoholic. It is important to understand the physiology of this addiction in order to acknowledge that alcoholism may not be purely psychological. I would also research psychological studies on the subject to learn why some people turn to self-medication in order to suppress their emotions. Attending local alcoholics’ anonymous meetings would also provide insight into the root causes of alcoholism and the moment of epiphany that causes people to seek help. Once all of my research is complete, I will need to go through it...
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...Alcoholism; A social insight Alcohol has been present in the history and culture of mankind since the beginning of times. Used in religious activities and ceremonies, the concept of alcohol has historically been portrayed as beneficial for its analgesic, antiseptic and medicinal properties. However alcohol consumption, with the use of media has been transformed into an element in our society that is present everywhere and its abuse is such that, is the third leading cause of death in America. There are approximately 80,000 deaths attributable to excessive alcohol use each year in the United States. Alcohol along with tobacco has become the most legal used drugs in the world. About 65% of American adults claim to drink socially, however numbers get astonishingly big around college students, 90% of college kids drink, and the word occasionally takes a twist here, because college students are reported to be heavy drinkers, which means on average, more than two drinks for men a day and one for women. One drink is defined by its alcohol content; one drink refers to a 12 oz. beer, 5 oz. of wine, or a 1.5 oz. of 80 proof (40%) pure alcohol shot or liquor in a mixed drink like a cocktail. Alcohol consumption is believed to be, nearly five times more than what moderate standards refer to. This is increasingly worrying, because more alcohol consumption means increasing risk, not only for the drinker itself, but to all the people around the individual and even third parties. But...
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...book. Alcoholism According to an online article I found titled “Alcoholism signs - here are ten warning signs of alcoholism you should know” It states that consuming one or two drinks per day for healthy men and one drink a day for healthy non-pregnant women is “generally considered acceptable consumption without health risks.” However, as in the case of my family, as the amount of drinking per day or per week increases, alcoholism can develop as a result. The article goes on to say that as many as 12-14 million adults are chronic heavy drinkers who abuse alcohol or are alcoholics, my Uncle Harold comes to mind. He became an alcoholic early on in life, he was a binge drinker in high school and early twenties then due to stress on the job as he put it became a full fledged alcoholic. He always denied he had a problem because he never missed a day of work or any other obligation, and would angrily defend himself. But, denial and alcoholism are like two peas in a pod. He continued to drink and his health became progressively worse over the years. He lost his appetite and has a poor eating habits due to all the years of hard drinking. Now at the age of 86, he can hardly hold anything in his hands or can only fill a glass half full because of the uncontrollable shakes he has from the damage alcohol has done to his nervous system. So what is “alcoholism?” Health.google.com defines it as “drinking alcoholic beverages at...
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... Whether it Takes away everything you love or possible even cause death to you. I intend to show you The difference between casual drinking and the disease known worldwide as alcoholism. The paper will show you some causes and statistics to why some teens are more susceptible to alcoholism then others. Also, show what effects it can have on a teen’s body. Show different ways in dealing with the problem of alcoholism, and show that it doesvnot matter race, financial situation, or even religion. The issue of how to prevent drinking in teenagers is critical. One study found that by The age Of 15, about 34 percentage of boys and 24 percentage of girls drank alcohol on a weekly 4 basis. Other studies have shown drinking at a young age is more likely to set a person up for a drinking disorder later in life. A study from the Netherlands found that a laid back attitude from parents can lead to drinking issues in their teens, whereas strict parental rules about drinking can curb adolescent impulses to drink. Adolescents, with their partially-matured brains, are more swayed by impulses than rational thoughts, which is why they’re more likely to engage in reckless behaviour. The study, published in the journal Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research, explored the role parents play in affecting the balance between impulse and reasoning. They found that if parents set strict rules regarding their children’s alcohol use...
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...ALCOHOLISM IN AMERICAN FAMILIES Introduction America is becoming a nation of alcoholics. Harford (2006) assert that in the contemporary American society alcoholism affect 1 in every 3 people. With the increasing pressure of life, many people have turned to alcohol to relieve their daily stress leading to uncontrolled alcoholism in the society. As the basic unit of the society the family has been affected in the same way increased breakdown of families and neglect of children by alcoholic parents. Alcoholism has run deep in American families and children have been affected in a particular way. This paper will research on alcoholism and the effects it has on the life of the family. It will first define alcoholism and then look at how alcoholism runs in American families. Later it will look at children of alcoholics. What is alcoholism? According to Harford (2006) Alcoholism can be defined as drinking of alcohol to an extent that it interference with individual physical and mental health and their ability to perform their duties and responsibility and to live with the rest to the society and family members. Alcoholism is a disease condition which result from excessive consumption of alcoholic beverage. According to Silverstein (1990) there are three distinct features which are used to diagnose the condition according to American Psychiatrist Association. The three criteria include: i) Physiological problem including hand tremors or blackouts ii) Psychological problem...
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...Alcoholism Paper Research Paper Merriam-Webster defines alcoholism as “a chronic disorder marked by excessive and usually compulsive drinking of alcohol leading to psychological and physical dependence or addiction.” a person who suffers from alcoholism is addicted to the effects of alcohol (Webster 1). He or she has a physical or mental desire to consume alcohol past their physical ability to control themselves. Alcohol is the second most commonly abused substance according to the NID (Pdf 1). This paper will present facts on, biological effects of alcohol on the body, the addiction to alcohol, genetic loading, and the deaths that are caused in some way by alcohol. Alcohol affects people differently. According to the CDC, the reasons are: Age, gender, race/ethnicity, physical condition, amount of food consumed before drinking, how quickly the alcohol was consumed, the use of other drugs or prescription medications, and family history (CDC 1). When alcohol is consumed, it bypasses the digestive system and goes directly to the blood stream; about twenty percent of the alcohol is absorbed into the blood stream via the stomach, and the other eighty percent by the small intestine (Dunlap 1). Alcohol acts as a sedative, but is perceived as a stimulant. The reason for this is that alcohol causes people to speak more freely; it impairs judgment and physical ability. Alcohol dilutes itself in water found in the body, this is one of the ways alcohol effects people differently, because...
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...ALCOHOL DESTROYS FAMILYS ALCOHOL DESTROY’S FAMILY’S CURTIS J COFFIN GEN 200 09/07/2010 LESLIE PIRTLE This paper will examine the disease of alcohol and physical and psychological effects alcohol has on the family members. The Center for disease control states that in order for something to be classified as a disease it has to contain three characteristics. It has to be progressive, it has to be treatable, and it has to be progressive. All of these characteristics are prevalent with alcohol therefore it is considered a disease. The disease of alcohol has plagued and destroyed family life since before the beginning of Christ. In fact today, alcohol impacts one in every four families. (Silverstein, 1990). Seventy six million American families have been exposed to alcoholism. Alcoholism is known as a family disease according to Silverstein. It effect’s husbands, wives, sons, and daughters. It sometimes starts in the womb where alcohol directly effect’s the developing fetus. Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) could be totally avoided with more education about the end results for expecting mothers who continue to drink. The dependence of alcohol on alcoholics is so powerful that even educating the expecting mothers of the historical end results attributed to alcohol, is sometimes not enough to deter them from drinking. Alcohol travels through the bloodstream and is absorbed through the placenta, a direct route...
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...increasing independent, have been associated with alcohol use. So in a sense, just being an adolescent maybe a key risk factor not only for starting to drink but for drinking dangerously. Drinking at an early age has been associated with later alcoholism and drinking problems in several countries. This has led some people to believe that delaying the age at which young people first drink alcohol might reduce the later incidence of alcohol abuse and alcoholism. That might work if drinking at age actually causes subsequent alcohol problems. ¹ __________________________ ¹ Wikipedia free encyclopedia, internet ------------------------------------------------- However, there is growing evidence that early ------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------- drinking, in societies not permitting it, is not the cause, but ------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------- only a symptom of an underlying predisposition to alcoholism and ------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------- other behavioral problems. Now another research study has found ------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------- evidence suggesting that early onset of drinking is not a cause...
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...Alcoholism in Adult Magoha Mayagila Research Paper, Psych 2301 Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) is a non-curable mental disorder that’s affects millions of people worldwide. According to national institute on alcohol and alcoholism, 1 in 12 adults in U.S is suffering from AUD. If not diagnosed early, AUD can effects a person life psychologically, socially and economically. Despite affecting the general population, studies have shown men are two to three times more likely to develop AUD than women due to generic differences (Mettmann D 2014). The androgen receptor (AR) gene, located on X chromosome contains a common polymorphism involving cytosine-adenine-guanine (CAG) repeats, which impacts disease and could contribute the unequal sex ratio in alcoholism (Mettman D 2014). Even though men are more susceptible to AUD, the effects of AUD on women health is enormous compared to men. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) is a psychological tool that have been used to collect mental disorder statistics since 1840. By 1952 American Psychiatric Association developed DMS-I to diagnose mental disorders. Prior to 2013, DMS-IV was the tool of choice for clinical diagnosis for alcoholism. DMS-IV categorized alcoholism into two distinct disorders, alcohol abuse and alcohol dependency; and two distinct criteria, abuse and dependency based on 11 symptoms. Alcohol abuse is defined as a behavior at which a person drinking pattern leads to undesirable acts and behavior...
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...Freshman Composition Research Paper 27 March 2013 Alcoholics Anonymous the Truth about Alcoholism Alcoholism is the addiction to consuming alcoholic drinks. Just like any other addiction it is fostered by the regular consumption of alcohol. It is not wrong to have an occasional drink in a social event or to have a little wine with dinner but when it reaches to the point where the individual cannot go a day without alcohol in his system then there is a problem. Alcohol is a drug like any other but it’s the most popular and accepted drug in the entire world. It is legal to citizens above eighteen years to drink alcohol and it is very accessible to even teenagers. Consumption of alcohol is not a new thing, it has been there for centuries and many new brands are being produced every year. However, those many years ago, our fore fathers knew the restrictions when it came to taking alcohol. They did not over do it and they consumed alcohol mainly during social events hence they did not become addicted to it. In our society today, any time is a good time to take alcohol. Teenagers, young adults, adults and even old people are all taking alcohol at an alarming rate. They are doing it oblivious to the fact that they can become addicted. Why are there so many alcoholics in the world today? How does it affect them and the people around them? What can be done to cure our society out of this vice? We answer all these questions today. Stress and depression leads to alcoholism. “Alcohol does...
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