...Alcoholism and Malnutrition International Nutrition: The World Food Crisis FSNU-201 April 21, 2013 Alcoholism and Malnutrition Malnutrition is a condition that is caused by an imbalance between what someone eats and the nutrients that they need to maintain good health and proper body function. (Mandal, n.d.) Not eating enough food to maintain proper body function, or eating an imbalanced diet that does not provide the nutrients needed to maintain a balanced level of health, will cause a person to become malnourished. (Mandal, n.d.) In order to stay healthy, individuals need to consume foods from a number of different food groups including carbohydrates, proteins, fats, dairy and a minimum of five daily portions of fruits and vegetables which contain many of the essential vitamins and minerals. (McGuire & Beerman, 2009, p. 331) Anyone can become malnourished if they do not consume the necessary amount of nutrients to fulfill their nutritional needs, or if they have an unhealthy diet such as those, who for example, misuse alcohol. Many studies show that people who misuse alcohol can eventually become malnourished due to the fact that alcohol contains just enough calories to curb hunger, but it does not contain the necessary nutrients that are required to stay healthy. As a result, alcoholics often suffer from a number of serious health conditions including damage to internal organs such as the liver, heart and the brain. (Casa Palmera Staff, 2010) Someone may ask...
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...affect our community are increasing in rates because of drug abusers. However, the inferior impact on our race that it causes and the consequences it creates. Cultural biases and the constant emphasis on typical American values and lifestyles may contribute to drug abuse within the African American community. The psychological well being of African Americans today is consistently disagreeing with the constant reminder of their place in society. The inferior place is of course the place in which many African Americans allow themselves to be put in. Experts on drug abuse disorders agree that poverty and other socioeconomic factors have a great impact on the rise of drug abuse in the African American community (Britt 8). These common mistaken ideas by experts have a great impact on the way African Americans view themselves. Rather than suggesting to that, the several socioeconomic factors are the cause of drug abuse from an outsider point of view. Experts should do their research from within the black community. Research in substance abuse often does not specify descriptive variables such as gender, age, income, and location. The variables are basic in showing the differences in drug abuse patterns, whether they are between different races or within them. According to Alice B. Britt, author of the article “African Americans- Substance Abuse and Spirituality”, a 1992 study identified poverty, illiteracy limited job opportunities, poor...
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...Chapter 1 THE PROBLEM AND ITS SETTING Introduction Alcoholism is a disease in which an individual continues to crave for alcohol despite of repeated alcohol-related problems. The signs of alcoholism and alcohol abuse are very similar, and are often just a question of degree or intensity. Typically, the last person to be aware that he/she has a serious drinking problem is the alcoholic himself/herself - they are in denial. Some signs and symptoms of alcoholism as well as alcohol abuse include, drinking alone, not being able to limit how much alcohol is consumed, dropping hobbies and activities the person used to enjoy; losing interest in them, feeling an urge to drink, having relationship problems, having problems with the law, having money problems, and requiring a larger quantity of alcohol to feel its effect (Videbeck, 2007). Alcoholism does not only affect the adults. According to Sociological theory, alcoholism is a learned response. This often happens at a young age. A child may see things around them or on TV of people drinking and they tend to believe that is the right thing to do. This addiction is primarily believed to be because of society's influences. This often will affect persons who mostly drink in groups. This theory is based more on the peer pressure a person might receive, so they often turn to alcohol drinking problems during college years. Moreover, it has become a public health concern because of its effect on the future of a child. The goal of the...
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...Osterweil, N. (2005). Fighting Alcoholism With Medications. Retrieved from http://www.webmd.com/mental-health/addiction/features/fighting-alcoholism-with-medications#1 Using pharmacological interventions may be used in different stages of addiction when treating alcohol addiction and its consequences. Medication is sometimes used and accepted as a form of treatment in addition to professional counseling in order to provide a complete form of treatment that is designed to improve the overall well-being of the individual (Osterweil, 2005). There are approved medications that can be used in order aid in the withdrawal process for the treatment of alcohol and to reduce the individuals craving. Fox, M. (2015, April). Americans Are Drinking More — A Lot More - NBC News. Retrieved from http://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/americans-are-drinking-more-lot-more-n347126...
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...Jeanette's parents were extremely abusive and did not really care about her wellbeing or her siblings. I think based on her parent’s socioeconomic status and her father Rex's alcoholism; this only made the situation for her as a child growing up in rural poverty worse. She really should have just left her parents as they do not really want to change and based on her current upper middle class lifestyle as an adult; she really wants to help her parents out. They do not seem to want the help though and her mother will ask for ridiculous requests that she ultimately does not need! Why did she keep talking to her parents even though she does not want anyone to know who her parents are as she hides from them all the time out of embarrassment? This is what the plan is to discuss in my essay on the Glass Castle. I will talk about how Jeanette moved out of poverty from the hands of her two abusive parents, and how she feels about her parents current socioeconomic situation! Jeannette constantly had to move around in different small rural towns, located in the boonies of Nevada and a few other desert states. This would affect most children in a lot of ways; first you can have many mental health defects that will start to drain on a child’s overall mental and psychiatric...
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...Women who are pregnant or are having sexual intercourse without the proper protection are advised not to drink alcohol. Drinking while pregnant can cause many problems to the fetus, involving the heart, the face, the brain and organs; even worse, drinking while pregnant increases the risks of having a miscarriage or delivering a premature child. While pregnant the fetus is very vulnerable to many toxins, such as alcohol, and drugs, so when the mother drinks alcohol, so does the fetus, since blood carries alcohol in the fetus bloodstream. At five weeks the fetus begins to form the brain, which then starts to grow rapidly, this is a crucial time for mothers to nourish their bodies with many proteins and keep away from dangerous toxins. One of the most probable results of drinking while pregnant is the Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS). The Fetal Alcohol Syndrome has been linked to low I.Q. in children. Over the years there has been many studies to determine if a child’s I.Q. if affected by Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. Jones and Smith first introduced Fetal Alcohol Syndrome in the United States in 1973, Jones and Smith described FAS as a “distinctive set of facial anomalies in children whose mothers drank heavily during pregnancy, accompanied by prenatal and/or postnatal growth retardation and cognitive/behavioral problems” (Burden). Children who suffer from FAS commonly have face abnormalities, which may or may not include: flat mid-face, short nose, low nasal bridge, thin lips, short...
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...-Depression usually begins in teens, 20s or 30s but it can happen at any age -More common in women but it might be because women are more likely to seek treatment -Women, regardless of nationality, race, ethnicity, or socioeconomic (relating to or concerned with the interaction of social and economic factors) level, have twice the rate of depression than men Risk Factors: * Depression that started as a teen or child * History of anxiety disorder, borderline personality disorder or posttraumatic stress disorder * Alcohol/illegal drug abuse * Having low self-esteem and being overly dependent, self-critical or pessimistic (tending to see the worst aspect of things or believe the worst will happen) * Certain medications: some high blood pressure meds or sleeping pills * Traumatic or stressful events such as: physical/sexual abuse, loss of a loved one, a difficult relationship or financial problems * Blood relatives with a history of depression, bipolar disorder, alcoholism or suicide Major depressive disorder affects nearly 15 million Americans in a given year. MAJOR RISK FACTORS- being female, being African-American and living in poverty. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Causes: It is not known exactly what causes depression but a variety of factors may be involved such as: * Biological differences. People with depression appear to have physical changes...
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...Another point to make with respect to socioeconomic status has to do with the homeless population of the United States. Although this wasn’t exactly touched upon in the film, it is important to note that plays a huge role in everyday life and perspective. The idea that homelessness is often seen as “invisible” is a problem that is moreorless overlooked. Factors such as residential segregation and political disenfranchisement play a part in the numbers of homeless people that live, and why they seemingly appear to not be in our sights. One correlation that could be made between the film and this topic is that the protagonist, Jay Gatsby, could have easily been thrown into this category if he didn’t strive to reach the goals he had. Another...
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...willing to make amends with them) and step 9 (made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others) in the “Big Book”. The “Big Book” is the text that serves as the basis of A.A. It contains the 12 steps that at the fundamentals of the AA program as well as several stories about alcoholics that have recovered from the process. According to the Alcoholics Anonymous Central Office, “The main and primary purpose of the alcoholics anonymous group is to stay sober and help other alcoholics to achieve sobriety.” The population that are served are both men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism. This particular A.A. group meets seven days a week, at noontime at the Serenity Club L.V. facility. In accordance with the Serenity Club L.V. website, “the only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking.” “There are no dues or fees for A.A. membership; we are self supporting through our own contributions.” A...
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...to make amends with them) and step 9 (made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others) in the “Big Book”. The “Big Book” is the text that serves as the basis of A.A. It contains the 12 steps that at the fundamentals of the AA program as well as several stories about alcoholics that have recovered from the process. According to the Alcoholics Anonymous Central Office, “The main and primary purpose of the alcoholics anonymous group is to stay sober and help other alcoholics to achieve sobriety.” The population that are served are both men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism. This particular A.A. group meets seven days a week, at noontime at the Serenity Club L.V. facility. In accordance with the Serenity Club L.V. website, “the only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking.” “There are no dues or fees for A.A. membership; we are self supporting through our own contributions.” A facilitator named Scott led the support group and was the main moderator for the discussions. Again, the topics that were...
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...Conditions in children's neighborhoods, including low socioeconomic status and other factors, can place them at a risk for abuse and neglect. Bidirectional influence and the role of third parties, play a huge part in development years as well. There are five bidirectional influences, that contribute to the child’s development. One bidirectional influence is classified as the microsystem which include family, school, neighborhood, or childcare environments. At this level, relationships have impact in two directions both away from the child and toward the child. The second bidirectional influence is the mesosystem, which provides the connection between the structures of the child’s microsystem. The third bidirectional influence is the exosystem, where the child does not function directly. The fourth bidirectional...
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...use of any substance for mood altering purposes, which leads to addiction and many other potentially serious problems (NCDHHS). Substance abuse is not limited to the abuse of drugs; it also includes inhalants, alcohol and solvents. In reality, nearly any substance can be abused (NCDHHS). According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), the abuse of illicit drugs and psychotherapeutics has increased; with 9.2 % of the population over the age twelve having abused some substance. Not surprisingly, there has been a rapid increase, (due to its easy access) in the use of marijuana (National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2014). Whilst there is no definitive cause of substance abuse, there are a myriad of factors that can trigger it. Socioeconomic status, family history, child abuse, depression, low self-esteem, stress; these are but a few reasons that can trigger substance abuse in an individual. Having relationships with people who use abuse substances, or accept their use as normal can also lead a person to develop substance abuse issues (Robinson, Smith &Saisan, 2014). There is no precise way to determine if someone will or does abuse substances, but there are some things one can look for and identify as indicators of substance abuse. Lack of interest in activities, depression, taking unnecessary risks, becoming drunk or high regularly, preplanning substance abuse, needing more and more substances to get drunk or high and blacking out can be indicators for potential substance...
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...Prenatal Alcohol Exposure Chapman University EDUU 606 January 6, 2010 Over use of alcohol is a growing social problem in our society. Alcohol has a long history of uses, during the early 1930’s alcohol consumption reached an all time high. In the 1980’s consumption of alcohol by adults leveled off; and in the 1990’s there was a decline in the number of adult’s consuming alcohol. Even though consumption in adults has leveled off and declined, there continues to be a growing concern over women who consume alcohol during pregnancy, its affects on the nervous system, and the unborn fetus. In this research I will provide you with an overview on the history and production of alcohol, the effects on the body and the damages that could occur to unborn fetus, demographics of those affected by alcohol. How the alcohol is transmitted from the mother to the unborn fetus, parts of the brain disrupted in development, and the impact it has on learning, as well as the implications and application to the classroom. It does not appear; that most people have a clear understanding of dangers of alcohol. Ethanol is a very addictive drug, which takes many, lives each year. Alcohol lowers ones ability to think rationally. People who consume alcohol lack good judgment because it often causes them to do things they normally wouldn’t when their sober. Alcohol has a major effect on ones overall...
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...abuse tends to affect people of all socioeconomic status, race, age, and gender. The economic effect of substance abuse is estimated at $414 billion in 2001, and $109.9 billion is drug use (Schneider Institute, 2001). Drug abuse affects the drug user, the family, the job, and the very life of the abuser. The negative effect of drug abuse on family members is serious enough that there are many support groups available to family members of drug addicts. Support groups help family members better understand the drug user and equips the family with the tools necessary to emotionally and financially deal with the drug user. Effects of Drug Abuse on Families Substance Abuse: The Nation’s Number One Health Problem Schneider Institute for Health Policy Children of substance abusers are more negatively affected than the parents of children who abuse drugs. Drug abusing parents face legal consequences, including imprisonment, divorce, and their children removed from the family household. Parents who abuse illegal drugs are 59% more likely than non-abusers to have psychiatric disorders such as anxiety, antisocial personality disorders, and depression (SAMHSA, 1999). This shows a clear link between psychiatric disorders and substance abuse. Parents with substance abuse, both alcohol and drugs, tend to be more irritable, overly harsh in discipline, low involvement in the children’s activities, and poor parenting skills. Comparing alcoholism and drug abuse in parents, illegal...
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...Group Observation and Reaction Paper “Rum and Vodka” Substance Abuse Training Lenore M. Jackson HUS 340 Abstract In the art of war there is no room for making one’s own rules. Rules are set in place to ensure good discipline and order. When good discipline and order are compromised due to substance abuse, our national security is at risk. It is the mission of the Armed Forces to ensure training of all sorts is available to maintain a strong and ready force. Introduction From the time you arrive at the Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS), a new recruit can fathom that life in the military is going to be full of rules and regulations. It is easy to understand that rules must be followed. This is no different when one arrives at Basic Training and finally at their first duty station and beyond. It is engrained in every service member that rules are not only going to be a very prominent part of their lives, but rules are necessary for good order and mission accomplishment. Not everyone will agree with every rule, nor will every rule be easy to follow, but it will be in everyone’s best interest to follow them to the best of their ability. We must ensure our service members are ready. A ready force is a winning force. Substance abuse is one of the many issues the Armed Forces must address and combat to ensure a ready force. Each service has its own programs and policies but the premise for all are very similar. I will examine one of the programs used...
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