Gradual States and Behavioral Categories Associated With Alcohol Consumption - Essay Example

The main research questions for this study included;

1. From a pathophysiological point of view, what are the main gradual states of alcohol consumption?
2. What are the main behaviors related to specific states of alcohol consumption?
3. What are the main diagnostic criteria (symptoms) for specific states in alcohol consumption?
4. What are the main categories of drinkers and their blood alcohol concentration?

The hypothesis

Null Hypothesis: There are no gradual states and behavioral characteristics related to alcohol consumption among different alcohol consumers.

Outcomes

            The study found that there are gradual states and behavioral characteristics in alcohol consumption. About gradual states, mild intoxication is often associated with social drinkers, affecting their central nervous system and resulting in blood alcohol levels between 5 – 20 mm. Behaviors exhibited with this mild intoxication include alterations in mood, impaired attention, aggression, and increased accident risk. Effects are more pronounced with ethanol intake even on lower dosages of 0.125 -0.2g/ kg ethanol. Another main idea is that the effects of alcohol intake take place during or shortly after intake where signs like dysarthric speech, motor in-coordination, and memory disturbances of events are common. The study also noted that acute intoxication is more prevalent with binge drinkers who take 4-5 drinks within 2 hours. This drinking behavior is most common, especially among those aged 12-20 years. Due to high intakes within a short time, blood alcohol concentration rises quickly to 0.08g or more. As a result, other studies have shown that binge drinkers are 14 times more likely to cause accidents compared to 5 for average drinkers and heavy drinkers. This drinking behavior is ‘associated with self-reported behavior and about 80% of reported traffic accidents. Signs of heavy drinking which raises blood alcohol concentration between 20-50mm include profound sedation, cognitive deviations, and loss of motor coordination. Heavy drinkers can be diagnosed with dependence, abuse, or no disorder while chronic alcoholics exhibit lesser effects due to tolerance. Abusive alcohol intake is associated with excessive and hazardous drinking experiences. Often abuse is a maladaptive use of a drug leading to functional impairment or clinical distress. The study also identifies symptoms of alcohol abuse and dependence that include withdrawal, recurrent alcohol-related legal problems, and increased negative consequences.      

Evaluation of Research design used in the study

            The research design used in the study is descriptive research which involves the description of individual variables as they exist (Gravetter and Forzano, 2009). Observational research design was most likely used, which is more appropriate and involves observing and systematically recording the behavior of elements to describe their behavior. In addition, alcohol consumption behaviors are qualitative and are best captured under descriptive research design. 

Target population

            Garrish and Lacey (2010) defined the target population as ‘the total population that forms the focus of the study.’ The target population for the study is alcohol consumers, that is medium, binge, heavy, and chronic drinkers. The target population is appropriate because different alcohol consumers behave differently both physiologically and psychologically. Their behavior affects society at large, and understanding them would help to develop suitable solutions.

Potential problems the researchers may have encountered when selecting the target population include lack of prior knowledge about the drinkers, their location, monitoring them, and their diverse alcoholic behaviors. It is hard to classify drinkers, and asking them may alter observable characteristics.

Limitations of the study may include difficulties in monitoring the elements without influencing their behavior; and subjectivity bias as conclusions are made on observable attributes that could be influenced by factors other than alcohol intake. Behavioral variance among drinkers in the same category possibly due to weight and personality among others is also a key factor.

Recommendations on how a professional can use the results of this study are as follows: A psychologist would know how to diagnose and classify certain types of drinkers based on their behavior and sensitize drinkers on the likely consequences. Professionals would know the vulnerable groups and target preventive and correctional measures appropriately. Professionals would also know the diagnostic tests and interpretation of results.