...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). The genetic similarity...
Words: 1594 - Pages: 7
...ABSTRACT Alcoholism is a serious disease that affects many people. About 76 million Americans are in someway affected by alcoholism. Current prescribed medications can only do so much. The solution lies in finding the roots of the problem. It has been believed that alcoholism runs down family lines, generation after generation. Is there scientific truth to this? Could the addiction be embedded in the human genome? John Crabbe and Justin Rhodes invite you to study their 10 years of research. Taking mice and making them alcohol-dependent, studying their human-like tendencies; alcohol tolerance, withdrawal symptoms, and voluntarily drinking alcohol and in some instances doing extra work for the tipple intoxicant. Using methods of genetic engineering, gene expression profiling and quantitative locus mapping, the two colleagues are equipped to haunt down the chromosome and location where alcoholism lay. With the genome being so outstandingly large, can a gene for alcoholism be merely pinpointed? After years of trying the scientists come closer then anyone before them, but it is Dr. Tamara J. Philips who furthers the journey and exploration. New strategies are needed to stop and treat this disease; a location in the genome is imminent upon us. For centuries, alcoholism has been destroying many lives. The act of an addiction to something as harmful has alcoholism demolished families, relationships, and one’s own body. Alcohol on average is responsible for 100...
Words: 2166 - Pages: 9
...For the reason that corruption and violence are connected with alcoholism, incest and battering are also common in alcoholics’ families. According to Berger, nearly 30 percent of father – daughter incest cases and 75 percent of domestic violence cases contain a family member who is an alcoholic. Incest and battering targets often blame themselves for what has occurred. Since they feel so guilt-ridden, mortified, and deserted, that they themselves may perhaps turn to drinking as a way to run away from the pain. “Children of alcoholics are individuals who have been deprived of their childhood” (Silverstein, 1990). Children of alcoholics, if gone untreated these children, will convey their difficulties into their later life. Many adult children of alcoholics partake on complications with intimacy, for the reason that their preceding involvement has shown them not to trust other individuals. They may also believe that if they love someone, that...
Words: 496 - Pages: 2
...Alcoholism and Genetics Alcoholism has an affect everyone one way or another. It is a complex disease that not only affects the alcoholic but it also affects their families and loved ones. Alcoholism is considered an addition, which can be contributed to a range of genetic, social, and environmental influences. Historically, alcoholism was blamed on one’s character; it was seen as a flaw and/or weakness (Perry). “Alcoholism affected approximately 4.65 percent of the U.S. population in 2001–2002, producing severe economic, social, and medical ramifications” (Sloan, Sayarath and Moore). As many know, genetics plays a strong role in the component of alcoholism. As more genes are linked to the development of an alcohol addition, the finding will be proven useful in developing the necessary tools to better identify those who are at risk (Perry). For the last 25 years, a variety of human studies have supported the “theory of a genetic component in the susceptibility to alcoholism” (Begleiter). Researchers now estimated that between 50 and 60 percent of alcoholism risk is determined by genetics (Sloan, Sayarath and Moore). “It has sparked numerous linkage and association studies to include, investigating the roles of chromosomal regions and genetic variants in determining alcoholism susceptibility” (Sloan, Sayarath and Moore). There have been multiple studies to identify the gene that could potentially lead to a higher risk for alcoholism. For example, family studies...
Words: 787 - Pages: 4
...year Dahmer dropped out of University after only one semester of being enrolled and went and joined the army, after his father convinced him to do so. After the army discharged Dahmer due to his alcoholism he went to live with his Grandmother. While living with his Grandmother, Dahmer took another victim Steven Touni. Dahmer killed altogether 17 male men mainly African American. In July 1991 Jeffrey was finally arrested and was sentenced to a total of fifteen life sentences. In 1994 Dahmer was murdered by fellow inmate Christopher Scarver. When discussing what may have driven Dahmer to behave in such a matter the following theories are examine; Weiss (1973) theory on loneliness, next was a theory on alcoholism described in Gifford (2009), and the last theory used is Erick Erickson’s identity development theory. A SERIAL KILLER CASE STUDY: JEFFREY DAHMER (1960-1994) Jeffrey Dahmer was born in the year of 1960, and was murdered by fellow inmate while incarcerated in 1994 (Jenkins, 2004). Dahmer was serving his time in jail for the manslaughter of seventeen men in America. This case study discusses some possible psychological theories to help interpret and grasp what caused Dahmer’s behaviour and actions. The theories used were Weiss (1973), on loneliness, alcoholism focusing on alcoholism as a habit rather than a disease, and Erick Erickson’s Identity...
Words: 2686 - Pages: 11
...Alcoholism: Choice or Disease Mitzy Morgan Drug Abuse Soc2133 J.Kirk September 28,2011 Imagine yourself being 11 years old. You and your next-door neighbor just finished eating dinner, and now playing cards in front of the television. A few hours pass and your mother tells you that its bedtime. After being asleep for a couple of hours, you hear your father come inside your house. This was not unusual; he always comes home late at night. You hear your parents yell at each other and then you hear an awful sound. Did your father just hit your mother only because his dinner was cold, and he was late? You ask yourself why, why is he like this? He is like this because he is an alcoholic and cannot control his temper when he has been drinking. The next day you promise your mom and yourself that when you grow up you were never going to become an alcoholic. You see what your father’s alcoholism has done to your family and yourself and would never want that to happen to your family when you become an adult. Twenty years later, you too become an alcoholic. Children of alcoholics are four times more likely to grow up to be an alcoholic than any other children, according to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. One in five adult Americans lived with an alcoholic while growing up. (AACAP) Studies have shown that even twins separated at birth and living in two very different environments still...
Words: 1295 - Pages: 6
...in understand the origins and plausible causes of addiction. There has been great debate over what exactly is the root of addiction in the human population. It seems to be that there are a variety of causes that hold influence on their susceptibility to addiction towards different substances or behaviors. In terms of biological causes alone there is more than one solution. One of the models for a biological explanation for addiction is centered on the brain’s reward system. Drugs can ‘hijack’ the brains reward center by depleting the brains natural ability to create neurotransmitters known for creating the sensation of pleasure, such as dopamine, or serotonin. Thus this can lead to the development of dependency on the drug to recreate that...
Words: 654 - Pages: 3
...by the society of which this was held. People would find the patterns of “law breaking” to become of normal practice and therefore develop a much more relaxed outlook on crime and punishment. Humans would be dependent on reasoning instead of logic. The “moral correctness” of crime would play a much larger role in their society and would be the only source of control of the actions of crime. What is “Right” and “Wrong” would be determined by the culture of that person. 2. Deviant behavior, in fact, is necessary in our society. Deviance is what helps create our individualities, which are crucial to our development of personality, which separates us all from each other. Deviance is essential to the development of society; if crime were to be taken out of us it would have to change our complete consciousness, which in result, would just allow us to create a new definition of crime for ourselves. The Medicalization of Deviance By Peter Conrad & Joseph W. Schneider Discussion Questions 1. The disease of “Alcoholism” was seen as an act against religion, and also seen as breaking the law and resulted in a punishment. Now, however, It is seen as a sickness caused by an “Allergy” to alcohol and is being treated medically so. People are starting to understand that Alcoholism isn’t something that is controllable but that it is something that requires the help of a health professional to cure; therefore it is more socially accepted now. 2. The thought of a rape...
Words: 370 - Pages: 2
...Analyzing Psychological Disorders Lynn Bible PSY/240 December 2, 2012 Pam Stoelzel Analyzing Psychological Disorders Schizophrenia, drug abuse, and anxiety are all complex psychological disorders. When helping someone that suffers from these disorders, you must understand how and why they work the way that they do. All three disorders come with symptoms that can cause people not blend in with society and live a normal life. The right kinds of treatment can help people to overcome the symptoms of these disorders and live a normal life, but they are not curable. Schizophrenia Schizophrenia affects the most crucial parts of the brain: the forebrain, the hindbrain, and the limbic system. The forebrain includes the cerebral hemispheres (hypothalamus, thalamus, corpus callosum, and the limbic system). It controls cognition, sensory and motor functions, temperature regulation, hunger, sleep cycles, and emotional expressions. The frontal lobe of the forebrain causes positive symptoms of schizophrenia like delusions. The temporal lobe of the forebrain distorts sounds and visions causing hallucinations. The hindbrain includes the pons, medulla, and the cerebellum. Schizophrenia affects this part of the brain causing the negative symptoms as in distorted motor functions, body language, and catatonic behaviors. The limbic system includes the hippocampus and the amygdala. The functions of this area of the brain are regulated emotions, memories, learning, and...
Words: 1959 - Pages: 8
...(as case-study subject). Strengths: Experience / Family Background Undoubtedly, Mayor Espina’s performance as local executive of the Municipality of Kawayan was greatly affected by his family’s political background. Born into a politically-oriented clan, Espina was exposed very early to the affairs of his father; he had early exposure as well in political campaigning and visiting his father’s constituents. This early exposure made him comfortable with people, honed his interpersonal skills, and perhaps even made him generally likable. This would eventually prove helpful in his political career. Mayor Espina also had experience as farm manager – this developed his skills in general administrative tasks, people management, and basic human relations. His experience abroad also strengthened his personal will and character. Personality Mayor Espina’s orientation toward people was clearly among his major strengths. Through his personality, Espina was able to talk immediately to his constituents – knowing at once what problems they had that affected their daily affairs. Weaknesses: Failure to adapt to the changing needs of the times Being bred in traditional politics, Mayor Espina was oriented on what was traditionally valued by the constituents – infrastructure and the delivery of basic services like electricity and water. But as the case showed, Mayor Espina failed to see the importance of...
Words: 1184 - Pages: 5
...early age as a result, underage drinking is a leading public health problem in this country. As children move from adolescent to young adulthood, they lifestyle changes, development transition, such as puberty and 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 -------------------------------------------------...
Words: 3000 - Pages: 12
...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 not have to drink every day to...
Words: 15226 - Pages: 61
...Chamberlain College of Nursing Simulation Mental Health – July 2015 1. Describe the pathophysiology of alcoholism and addictive disorders. Alcohol affects virtually every organ system in the body and, in high doses, can cause coma and death. It affects several neurotransmitter systems in the brain, including opiates, GABA (Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid), glutamate, serotonin, and dopamine. Increased opiate levels create an euphoric effect of alcohol, while its effects on GABA cause anxiolytic and sedative effects. Alcohol also inhibits the receptor for glutamate. Glutamate receptors are synaptic receptors located primarily on the membranes of neuronal cells. When alcohol is withdrawn, the central nervous system experiences increased excitability. Persons who abuse alcohol over the long term are more prone to alcohol withdrawal syndrome than persons who have been drinking for only short periods. Brain excitability caused by long-term alcohol ingestion can lead to cell death and cerebellar degeneration, Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome, tremors, alcoholic hallucinosis, delirium tremens, and withdrawal seizures (Alcohol use disorder: Pathophysiology, Effects, and Pharmacologic options for treatment, January 2014). 2. Discuss the concept of tolerance to alcohol and the diagnostic criteria for alcohol/substance abuse. Alcohol Tolerance refers to the body’s response to prolonged exposure to liquor: its ability to both metabolize liquor, as well as its ability to rebound from...
Words: 1555 - Pages: 7
...interrelationships between objects. Terms Isomorphism: Refers to equivalence of form: there is a one-to-one correspondence between elements and relationships. Cybernetic system: systems with feedback. Core Assumptions of General Systems Theory GST Has Potential for Unifying Science: suggests that there are unifying principles in every discipline; GST is a way to consider isomorphism between them. A System Must Be Understood as a Whole Von Bertalanffy: promoted the notion that a family, or any system, is greater than the some of it's parts. Lewin: the whole is different from the sum of it's parts. Human Systems are Self-Reflexive Human systems are characterized by their ability to make themselves and their own behavior the focus of examination; this is self-reflexivity. Self-reflectivity permits humans to examine their systems and set goals. permits humans to examine social influences on systems and behaviors, rather than naively accepting them as “natural.” Research and Theory Foci Ongoing Family...
Words: 1061 - Pages: 5
...symptoms. A positive symptom is classified as something that represents excess or distortion of normal function. This includes symptoms like delusions, hallucinations, incoherent speech or thought, inappropriate affect (failure to react with appropriate emotion to positive or negative events), or odd behavior such as repeating tasks or remaining motionless. Negative symptoms are classified as something that represents reduction or loss of normal function. These symptoms include affective flattering which is the reduction or absence of emotional expression, alogia or reduction of speech, avolition or reduction of motivation, and anhedonia which is the inability to experience pleasure. Early experiential factors are implicated in the development of schizophrenia. These factors include birth complications, early infection, autoimmune reactions, toxins, traumatic injury, and stress. Such factors are thought to alter normal course of neurodevelopment leading to schizophrenia in individuals with...
Words: 1946 - Pages: 8
