Alcoholism: Symptoms and Treatment - Research Paper Example

? Alcoholism of Introduction Alcohol is perhaps the world’s most common and oldest drug. Different cultures and communities produce alcohol in different ways. However, alcohol is majorly produced from fermented grain, fruit/sugar juice, and honey. Generally, these juices, among others, are processed to produce ethyl alcohol or ethanol. In current times, the production of alcohol has become such a booming business in a society where alcohol consumption has reached its highest peak. As a result of this increased consumption of alcohol and related products, alcohol has become a rather serious health problem in many homes (Eskapa & Sinclair, 2008). The severity of these alcohol related health problems depends on the amount of the substance consumed and the user’s level of dependency. Among the common effects of alcohol are mild hangovers, mass self destruction, alcohol-related diseases, and death. It should however be noted that moderate or little consumption of alcohol could have little or no ill effects on the users or his/her family. However, the rampant misuse of the drug could make it a rather dangerous substance not only to the users but also their families and on society. As said earlier, although mild and occasional consumption of alcohol never hurts anyone, over consumption of alcohol results in quite negative effects on users and their families depending on age, gender, physical, condition, amount of food eaten, and other drugs used by the individual concerned. Among the effects of mild alcohol consumption are a relaxing effect, reduced coordination, reduced tension, lowered inhibitions, and impaired concentration (Garland et al., 2010). When one depends so much on alcohol so that his/her body systems cannot function normally without alcohol in their bloodstream, such a person suffers from alcoholism. This paper explores the subject of alcoholism. Alcoholism In medical situations, alcoholism is regarded a progressive and chronic condition in which one constantly craves alcohol. This craving continues despite the negative effects and health problems that alcohol consumption has on addicts and his/her family, friends, and community. Among the common problems caused by alcoholism are drunk-driving violations, relationship problems such as breakups and infidelity, and loss of source of job. Generally, alcoholism refers to a condition in which one physically, socially and psychologically depends on alcohol. Besides the constant craving for alcohol, alcoholism is also characterized by an inability to stop drinking. The aspect of physical dependency implies that one tolerates alcohol and experiences certain withdrawal symptoms when alcohol is absent in his/her bloodstream. Tolerance to alcohol in alcoholics implies that an alcoholic may consume huge amounts to feel drunk enough to enter the recovery phase (American Psychiatric Association, 2000). In fact, most alcoholics deny that they have alcohol-related problems. Similar to alcoholics, those who abuse the substance may have similar signs and symptoms though they may not be dependent on the substance. However, those who abuse alcohol do not have the same level of craving and withdrawal symptoms as alcoholics. Symptoms of Alcoholism There are several signs and symptoms by which alcoholism could be identified including introverted or secretive drinking, constant alcohol cravings, and inability to regulate the amount of alcohol one drinks. Additionally, an alcoholic experiences blackouts during which he/she does not remember earlier events and conversations with others. Whenever an alcoholic does not get drunk at his/her regular time he/she gets irritated. Furthermore, alcoholics encounter many problems due to their increased propensity to commit crimes. Personal lives of alcoholics are also threatened due to being under the influence of alcohol most of the time. For instance, alcoholics have problems sustaining relationships and jobs. As an alcoholic attempts to stop drinking, he/she encounters withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety, shakiness, nausea, and sweating. Finally, alcoholics are also at risk of contacting liver diseases and other organ conditions. There are certain risk factors associated with alcoholism. It is these factors that influence people to alcoholism and should be addressed in time to avoid alcoholism. Risk Factors Family history is the first factor that may predispose one to alcoholism. For example, if one’s family has a history of alcohol and other substance abuse, one is more likely to become an alcoholic than some one without such history. The other family related risk factor to alcoholism is a childhood filled with adverse and violent events from parents and siblings. Further, beginning to consume alcohol early in life and taking more than 1-2 drinks per day are the other risk factors of alcoholism. The use of other drugs and substances such as khat and cigarettes also predisposes one to alcoholism. In addition to these factors, a lot stress and pre-existing psychiatric disorders such as anxiety and depression also predispose one to alcoholism. Diagnosis for Alcoholism Once alcoholism has been identified or is suspected, it is of the essence that one sees a doctor who should then proceed with diagnosis and guidance on the most effective treatment and therapies. Having known that alcoholics deny their drinking problems, it is imperative that friends, families, and communities take the initiative to convince and encourage them to seek treatment since alcoholics are highly unlikely to seek treatment by themselves. In diagnosing alcoholism, medical doctors often require information on an alcoholic’s history in addition to the mandatory physical examination. Among the questions asked during such medical examinations include whether patients are interested in cutting down their alcohol consumption or whether they feel guilty about their dependence on alcohol. Besides blood tests, which only show recent alcohol consumption, doctor also order for liver function tests to ascertain liver damage due to alcohol abuse. Although therapies and treatments are available, people are advised to undertake preventive care early in life, more so for those exposed to the above risk factors. Preventive Care There are several preventive care strategies that one may implement to avoid alcoholism. First, if a drinker, one should do so moderately, no more than two drinks a day for men and no more than one for women. In case of teenagers, early preventive strategies are in order so that they may avoid alcoholism, which is quite rampant among the youth. These early preventive strategies include parents and society being interested in and integral to teenagers’ lives. Parents and other authority figures in society should also talk to the youth openly about alcohol, other drugs, and their effects. While talking to the youth, parents should establish clear and non-negotiable rules about alcohol and drug consumption and dependence. What is more, parents should be role models to their children by not drinking excessively, smoking, or using any drugs. Instead, they should encourage children and youth to indulge in music, the arts, and sporting activities. If not, it is important that parents are constantly aware of their children’s whereabouts and friends and must always supervise their children in whatever they do. In particular, teenagers’ depression, aggressive behaviors, feelings, and academic/ domestic performance should be monitored constantly and the possible effects of alcohol evaluated (Carr, 2005). As victims of alcoholism, people are also required to taken certain steps and approaches towards obtaining treatment. Best Treatment Approach for Alcoholism First and foremost, it is important that alcoholics recognize and admit that they have a problem that requires immediate attention. This admission of alcoholism and related problems could be revealed to family members, close friends, relatives, educators, and other authority figures in the community. Physicians should also see to it that the right treatment and therapy, which emphasizes both physical and psychological addiction, are provided. These therapies could include inpatient/residential treatment and/or Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). The residential program should specifically provide detoxification for about 4-7 days followed by an individual and group therapy that focuses on abstinence. Managing and treating alcoholism does not end at the therapy or treatment stage; an alcoholic should then follow up therapies with the appropriate lifestyle strategies (Assanangkornchai & Srisurapanont, 2007). Families and victims should attend Alcoholics Anonymous to help them be skilled in helping people with alcohol addictions and support themselves respectively (Ferri et la., 2006). Importantly, alcoholic victims seeking to reform should exercise regularly, an activity that would reduce their craving for alcohol a great deal. Further, those under treatment should their medication seriously and follow whatever instructions given such as alcohol withdrawal or tranquilizers such as Diazepam (Valium), Chlordiazepoxid (Librium), and Lorazepam (Ativan) to assist victims to withdraw safely from alcohol in the first few days of withdrawal. To help with withdrawal symptoms, victims of alcoholism should serious take their anticonvulsants medications such as Carbamazepine (Tegretol) and Valprioc acid (Depakote). Nutrition and dietary supplements are the other lifestyle strategies by which alcoholics may prevent and manage their condition. It should be understood that alcoholism prevents one’s systems from absorbing vital food elements besides interfering with one’s appetite. Thus, it is not strange that doctors may recommend diet supplements for a recovering alcoholic to regain lost health (Xu et al., 2006). Most recommended supplements include vitamin C, selenium, magnesium, vitamin B complex, and zinc. Carnitine, glutamine, and glutathione amino acid supplements are also commonly recommended for their roles in reducing and managing blood sugar fluctuations, cravings, and alcoholism-related stress. Given that alcoholism results in thiamine deficiency, many doctors recommend Thiamine (vitamin B1) supplement during withdrawal. Thiamine being quite important to brain functioning, its deficiency would be rather detrimental to an alcoholic’s brain health, leading to brain disorders such as Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome (Ambrose et al., 2001). A nutritionally oriented approach has been largely recommended for many alcoholism victims by some professionals. In these approaches, intravenous (IV) nutritional therapies and amino acid supplementation that modulate brain functions are opted for. Unfortunately, these approached have been criticized by the mainstream alcoholism treatment. Conclusion Considered among the most common drugs, alcohol is consumed in large amounts in society. Consequently, some people over consume alcohol so that they entirely physically and psychologically depend on it. This condition in which a person physically depends on alcohol is referred to as alcoholism. Brain damage, loss of appetite, poor health, loss of job and relationship, and reduced productivity are among the negative effects of alcoholism for which victims should be encouraged and convinced to seek treatment and therapies. Further to treatment, proper lifestyle through exercises and healthy diets are recommended for managing alcoholism and withdrawal related problems. References Ambrose, M. L., Bowden, S. C., and Whelan, G. (2001).Thiamin treatment and working memory function of alcohol-dependent people: preliminary findings. Alcohol Clin Exp Res, 25(1), 116. American Psychiatric Association (2000). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders, fourth edition. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association. Assanangkornchai, S., and Srisurapanont, M. (2007). The Treatment of Alcohol Dependence. Current Opinions on Psychiatry, 20(3), 227. Carr, A. (2005). The easy way to stop drinking. Sterling Publishers. Eskapa, R., and Sinclair, D. (2008). The cure for alcoholism: Drink your way sober without willpower, abstinence or discomfort. BenBella Books. Ferri, M., Amato, L., and Davoli, M. (2006). Alcoholics Anonymous and Other 12-Step Programs for Alcohol Dependence. Cochrane Database System Review, 19(1), 3. Garland, E. L., Gaylord, S. A., and Howard, M. O. (2010). Mindfulness Training Modifies Cognitive, Affective, and Physiological Mechanisms Implicated in Alcohol Dependence: Results of a Randomized Controlled Pilot Trial. Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, 42(2), 192. Xu, B. J., Zheng, Y. N., and Sung, C. K. (2005). Natural Medicines for Alcoholism Treatment: A Review. Drug Alcohol Review, 24(6), 536. Read More