Alcoholism in Miami-Dade County - Essay Example

"Alcoholism in Miami-Dade County" is a worthy example of a paper on addiction.
Alcohol is reportedly easily accessible and readily available in Miami-Dade County and alcohol users are at high risk for HIV due to irresponsible behaviors. In addition, alcohol consumption especially among young people contributes greatly to road accidents, traumatic injuries, suicide date rape, school and family problems. Despite having very many Medical centers, therapeutic services, and nurses, people continue to die out of alcohol-related diseases.

Demographic characteristics

According to the most recent census, there are more than 2 million people, over 700,000 households, and more than 500,000 families residing in the county. It has a mean population density of almost 1,160 people per square meter (Hall, 2008).

Geographical boundaries

It lies about 1.8m above sea levels. It is located in the eastern part of Florida, though it is rather new geologically. The recent census estimated the county to a total of 6,297 square kilometers.

Statistics

A survey conducted by the federal, 2006 government reports that more than 120,800 residents of Miami-Dade County, totaling 6 percent of the total population were in need of treatment for alcohol dependency to no avail in the past year (Hall, 2008).

The trends within the past one month were reported to be more than 30 percent of those interviewed. Most alcoholics were found to be consuming five or more drinks in a row a the period of two weeks, commonly known as binge drinking. Binge drinking is, therefore, a basic risk factor with more than 15 percent reported in the County (Kluwer, 2008).

Reportedly, half of Miami-Dade County’s adults and youths are using alcohol. Twenty-five percent of patients being admitted to emergency rooms in 2006 were found to have alcohol-driven problems, with most seeking detox (Marcelin, James, Ralph, James, & J, 2009). Emergency departments in the county reported most deaths to be alcohol-related, with middle-aged adults between the ages of 35 to 54 years of age being the most affected.

Nursing Diagnosis

Fluid volume Deficit and Therapeutic Regimen management (NANDA, 2007-2008)

Nursing Care Plan  (Kluwer, 2008):

Goals/outcome

Planning/Intervention implementation

Rationale for intervention

Evaluation

The patient will understand the care need for acute liver failure/liver cirrhosis.

      I.         Explain to the patient how acute liver failure or liver cirrhosis occurs.

    II.         Teach on etiology about methods of treatment.

  III.         Promote and encourage the patient on the need to abstain from alcohol consumption.

 IV.         Encourage the patient on a step-to-step process, from binge drinking to one, and then to none.

a.     When the patients understand that the liver can heal and that alcohol drinking causes acute liver failure, he/she may live a healthier lifestyle and quit drinking.

b.     Patient will be more collaborative with fluid, food, and testing procedures if understands it for his own best interest.

c.     Abstinence from binge alcohol consumption can boost liver function and self-esteem.

d.     Early treatments may help the patient avoid liver failure and future life complications. Family support should be encouraged.

a)     Patient is able to find early treatments in case of malnutrition and liver disturbances.

b)    Patients seek to understand new information that is helpful to them.

c)     Attend AA at least three days a week and learn the major causes of alcohol abuse and dependency.

d)    Family support will be essential for the patient to overcome alcohol issues.

 Goals/outcomes

Planning/Intervention (Liitlejohn & Holloway, 2008) implementation

Rationale for intervention

Evaluation

The family understands their role and talks freely about alcoholic-related family problems.

The nurse will create a favorable environment with the patient and his family for discussion.

The family seeks support from the therapist and other experts.

The patient remains sober in the end.

Patients and families will open up on their fears and seek help.

Realization of roles each party played in finding solutions will bring awareness and change.

Family support can be a good tool to avoid patient relapse.

Family is aware of their problems hence seeks social help.

Individual parties are free to express long-term fears, hence creating unity and trust.

External support becomes a tool to fight alcoholism and mend families weakened by alcoholism.

The likelihood of relapse prevention depends on the strength of family and social support.

Resources available

Health centers, therapeutic experts, Rehabilitation centers, Nursing schools, and spiritual advisors.

Recommendation

From the statistics, it is evident that young adults especially those in colleges are the most affected by alcoholism in Miami-Dade County. Therefore, education on alcohol and drug abuse should be incorporated in the school curriculum, more so from high school where students are more likely to pick up the behavior. Nursing students should also receive special and adequate training on how to deal with patients suffering from alcohol-related diseases and family problems.

Conclusion

Nurses can use their skills and experience to make a positive change to the lives of patients, more so alcoholics by being in the front line in providing brief interventions and testing for alcohol misuse. This will be followed by providing routine nursing care to these patients. In the history of nursing direct face-to-face communication with the patients and their families brings about great benefits to the individuals and the community at large.