Complementary and Alternative Medicine Interventions for Treatment of Alcohol Addiction - Research Paper Example

? Research Paper Literature Review: Complementary and Alternative Medicine Interventions for the Treatment of Alcohol Addiction Instructor: Date: Project Outline 1. Cover page: Includes the names, title of the project, and the contact information 2. Abstract: A brief summary of the contents of the project, including the interventions taken for people with an addiction to alcoholism. The abstract shall give a summary of the expected results from such interventions. 3. Definition of key terms: this section shall include the key words used throughout the essay. 4. Chapter 1: A. Introduction/ Background information- this will be a one page summary of what the project will address. It will give readers an insight on different alcohol intervention methods applied and their efficacy in the elimination of the problem. The background information shall help in scrutinizing past efforts as new developments are established to deal with alcohol intervention. B. Thesis statement- the thesis statement shall address the problem of alcohol abuse and the need of exploring broad intervention schemes. C. Problem statement- a clearly stated paragraph detailing the problems associated with the treatment and intervention of alcoholism using different approaches. D. Research questions- the paper shall have four research questions that will be used in guiding the direction it takes. The research questions shall form the basis for the review of any literature as well as data regarding the treatment and intervention of alcoholism cases. 5. Chapter 2: Literature review: The review of past studies shall be limited to twelve sources that include peer reviewed articles and books covering elements of alcoholism intervention and treatment using different approaches. This section shall be enhanced placing the literature reviewed within the context of the study at hand. 6. Chapter 3: Methodology a. Research design b. Collection and analysis of data- the research shall utilize information from secondary data that will be collected from previous studies and thus comparisons shall be made to draw conclusions. 7. Chapter 4: Results Presentation of results and findings from the different research methods employed in the collection and analysis of data. The findings will be presented in form of graphs and charts where applicable. 8. Conclusion The conclusion will form a summary of the analyzed content throughout the research paper and it shall be the basis for giving appropriate recommendations on the steps and actions to be taken in the prevention, intervention, and treatment of alcoholism. 9. References The section shall include the twelve references used in the project presented in conformity to the APA guidelines. Literature Review: List of references Dodgen, C. and Shea, W. (2008). Substance use disorders. San Diego: Academic Press Fleming, M. (2004). Screening and brief intervention in primary care settings. Alcohol Research and Health, 28 (2), p. 57 Haber, L. and Others (2009). Guidelines for the treatment of alcohol problems. Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing Heather, N. and Stockwell, T. (2004). The essential handbook of treatment and prevention of alcohol problems. Chichester, West Sussex, England: Wiley Keith, M. (2005). Interventions for Alcohol Use and Alcohol Use Disorders in Youth. Alcohol research and health, 28 (13), pp. 163-174 Kleber, H., Anton Jr, R., George, T., Greenfield, S., Kosten, T., O'brien, C., Rounsaville, B., Strain, E., Ziedonis, D., Hennessy, G. and Others (2006). Treatment of patients with substance use disorders. American Psychiatric Association Practice Guidelines for the Treatment of Psychiatric Disorders: Compendium 2006, p. 291 Martin, C. (2008). Identification and treatment of alcohol dependency. Keswick, Cumbria: M & K Update Norton, C. (2010). Innovative Interventions in Child and Adolescent Mental Health. Hoboken: Taylor & Francis Parker, R. (2008). Review of the effectiveness of treatment for alcohol problems. CSIP Networks Washton, A. and Zweben, J. (2006). Treating alcohol and drug problems in psychotherapy practice. New York: Guilford Press Willenbring, M. (2010). The past and future of research on treatment of alcohol dependence. Alcohol Health \& Research World, 33 (1), p. 55 Young, H. (2010). A summary of the Review of the Effectiveness of Treatment for Alcohol Problems. Alcohol Learning Centre. Literature Review: Complementary and Alternative Medicine Interventions for the Treatment of Alcohol Addiction Parker (2003) define substance use disorders as a disorder, which occasions the abnormal use (abuse) of either one, or even more substances with the result being impairment or distress clinically. According to Parker (2003) the term substance abuse is used in reference to dependence on or overindulgence in a drug or any other chemical that leads to detrimental effects to both the mental and physical health of a the person infringing even on the wellbeing of other people. They provide guidelines on the different modes of treatment with recommendations for different case scenarios. They outline in their guidelines that treatment is meant to act as a form of intervention in managing risky drinkers and the resultant is independence from alcohol and substance abuse. According to Parker (2003), intervention is important in deterring the patient from drinking but other health concerns or problems in the drinkers should be addressed accordingly just like any other patient. This article provides guidelines, which are important in deciding the mode of treatment by screening and assessment, which show the stage of addiction. Treatment is prescribed according to the patient’s characteristics and advice is given to the patients on staying healthy. According to Parker (2003), care and caution as well as professionalism should be taken into account when arriving at a suitable intervention. According to Heather and Stockwell (2004), the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) substance-use disorders especially heavy, harmful drinking is an exhibited pattern of consuming substances (alcohol) which results in directly related health complications. They suggests that treatment of alcohol abuse should follow certain principles of care by being empathetic even after the addict is treated and the outcome of such concern is a reformed drunkard. The report suggests that staffs who work in services funded by and provided for by NHS (caring for recovering addicts) should be well trained. This according to the report enhances competence in their ability to assess whether a case needs intervention. After screening and assessment of the need, referral is made to a service that can help the individual. Fleming (2004) defines alcohol-use disorder by classifying the use of alcohol as either moderate, at-risk, problem, or dependent. The worst part of drinking is when a person exhibits the following symptoms due to dependence on alcohol: uncontrolled drinking (lack of good judgment or limits), withdrawal symptoms, and drinking to offset them, compulsion to drink, and heightened tolerance to alcohol. These according to Fleming and Manwell lead to medical complications and behavioral problems. This calls for intervention and reinforcement by the health care provider. Clinical practice shows that brief intervention is also able to enhance treatment and assessment effectiveness in referred patients who are beyond interventions alone. Willenbring (2010) tends to place focus on alcohol use disorder (AUD) in adolescents. This disorder according to Willenbring (2010) appears to be in two forms. The first one is the milder form that is able to limit itself while the second is the severe as well as recurrent form. The treatment goals that Willenbring (2010) has are for abstainers to avoid the vice of drinking, the low-risk drinkers to quit and for the functional alcoholics as well as those with the severe recurrence to embrace clinical treatment. In his report, people whose AUD is functional are similar to those with major anxiety disorders or depression. Even though they are able to function, their output is suboptimal and is achieved with perseverance of a high level. According to Willenbring (2010), both cases have access to medication treatment, which is effective, based on prescription by the physician. Kleber and Anton Jr et al (2006), defines substance-use disorder, which can also be called drug addiction, drug abuse or chemical dependency as a use of substances in a way that is not conformed to the sociocultural conventions. This occurs when an individual keeps on using alcohol or some other drug albeit having knowledge of the harmful effects of the drug. Kleber (2010) argues that continued or repeated use is most likely to develop tolerance to effect of that drug and withdrawal symptoms appear when the person reduces or stops using. Treatment is inclusive of a way to favor avoidance of the stimulus that causes addiction. Martin (2008) identifies that the individuals who suffer from alcoholism are heterogeneous and their cases cannot be treated on the same basis. It is important to note that clinical treatment of alcoholism is applied as a blanket cover for all related problems. This introduces the dire need for less conventional means of intervention. The multiple mode of intervention pursued has been found to be effective in dealing with challenges related to alcoholism and substance abuse on the broader perspective. Young (2010) defines alcoholism on the social context arguing that the drinking habits of a person are influenced by the society they live in with general drinking patterns and trends easily identifiable within a community. According to Young, prevention methods are aimed at reducing the net burden on the community through modulating the number of drinkers within the community. The lack of professional treatment and unassisted recovery processes are an indicator of awaiting disaster. He argues on the need of employing a variety of treatment modules deviating from conventional treatment programs. This will enable alcohol dependent people to deal with their problem in a cost effective manner. It is important to note that the treatment of alcoholism is cost effective in itself in terms of social costs. Norton (2010), links alcoholism to the deterioration of a society’s moral fabric while at the same time being a major cause of social evils. Norton is of the opinion that it is the collective responsibility of a society to deal with issues related to alcoholism with the view of upholding a society’s culture. This by extension falls in line with the treatment modules he fronts for dealing with alcoholism in less than conventional methods. Norton argues on the ineffectiveness of clinical treatment to alcoholism due to its blanket application on all cases. There are major differences in the cases of alcoholism and thus the need for treatment on an individual basis. Washton and Zweben (2006), define alcoholism as the habit of engaging in harmful drinking that result in the dependence for alcohol and thus as a result being a leading cause of mortality as well as social harm. The cluster of behavioral, cognitive, and physiological phenomena in which the consumption of alcohol takes high priority in an individual’s life can define the dependence on alcohol. The treatment and intervention provided to such cases should be done based on a definitive diagnosis of individual cases. Keith (2005) views alcoholism from the perspective of harmful and excessive consumption of alcohol from a tender age. The propositions fronted by Keith are against the backdrop of the increasing alcohol consumption by the youth in the society. He advocates for a variety of treatment options to be pursued tailored to the characteristics of individual alcoholics. Dodgen and Shea (2008), define alcoholism on the harmful drinking perspective. Harmful drinking is termed as an identified drinking pattern that causes health problems to the users of alcoholic drinks. The health problems are varied and they include physical illnesses, psychological problems, and terminal illnesses. Drinking patterns develop into a level of dependence that is dangerous and should be accorded treatment and different interventions from the onset. Read More