Alcoholism throughout the Lifespan - Research Paper Example

Alcoholism throughout Lifespan Alcoholism throughout the Lifespan Alcohol use and the risk for alcohol-related problems change over the lifespan. College students and young adults, who often drink large quantities of alcohol at one time, are more likely to experience problems such as alcohol poisoning, drunk-driving crashes, and assaults; whereas, older individuals who drink even moderately while taking certain medications run the risk of harmful drug interactions. Additionally, patterns of alcohol use may differ across the human lifespan—for example, adolescents who begin drinking prior to age 14 are more likely to develop a serious problem with alcohol later in life. Understanding how alcohol influences people across different life stages is important, especially when designing effective approaches for diagnosing, treating, and preventing alcohol abuse and dependence and their related problems. Studies are finding that alcoholism is strongly related to impulsive, excitable, and novelty-seeking behavior, and such patterns are established early on, if not inherited. People with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, a condition that shares these behaviors, have a higher risk for alcoholism. Children who later become alcoholics or who abuse drugs are more likely to have less fear of new situations than others, even if there is a risk for harm. It was once thought that a family history of passivity and abnormal dependency needs increased the risk for alcoholism, but studies have not borne out this theory. Infancy: Alcohol is a leading preventable cause of birth defects with mental deficiency. Prenatal alcohol exposure can cause a variety of problems known collectively as Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). The most severe form of problem resulting from alcohol is FASD, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS). Additionally, people exposed to alcohol prenatally are at higher risk of developing an alcohol and other drug use disorder later in life. Children affected by alcohol in utero may develop mild to severe behaviour problems, including disruptive, aggressive, hyperactive and even ADHD behaviour (attention deficit hyperactive disorder). They also exhibit signs of anxiety and emotional problems. Behaviour that is classified as ‘self-absorbed’, ‘communication disturbed’, and ‘antisocial’ is seen in moderate to severe FAS and mild FAS/FAE (Steinhausen et al., 2003:181). They are also characterized by growth deficiency such as being of low birth weight, failing to thrive, and growing in a disproportionate ratio of weight to height. They also have at least one of the following abnormalities of the central nervous system: small head size, small brain, neurological impairment (such as impaired fine motor skills), hearing loss, or lack of co-ordination (O’Leary, 2002). Childhood: Growing up in a family where one or both of the parents are alcoholic can prove to be so painful and emotionally traumatic that many years later the adult child will still be suffering from the scars. Frequently, as children they had to become “superchildren,” responsible for running the family, feeding their parents, while constantly living in fear of their parents. In addition, they often feel guilty over their inability to save their parents. Consequently, these children have a very poor self-image and, as adults, often find it impossible to have satisfactory relationships. They have grown to mistrust all people and are frequently very accepting of unacceptable behavior on the part of others. These psychological scars, combined with the strong possibility that the genetic traits for alcoholism may be inherited, result in a very high percentage of alcoholism—25 percent— among children of alcoholics. Even if the child does not become an adult alcoholic, other psychological problems may result, such as obsessive-compulsive disorders and the unrealistic need to be “perfect.” Adolescence: Adolescence is the period between 12 and 17 years of age. This is a time of dramatic physical, psychological, and social change. Studies of adolescents who were receiving treatment for alcohol withdrawal showed that they were more likely to have memory problems than adolescents who did not drink. Many biological, psychological, and social changes occur during adolescence, and parents continue to play an important role in their children development during this period. Dr. Michael Windle describes how alcohol abuse can interfere with parenting skills and marital relations, thereby affecting adolescent development and adjustment. Parents who abuse alcohol place their children at increased risk for alcohol and other drug use as well as for psychological problems. Studies have consistently found that parents own use of alcohol increases both the likelihood that their adolescent children will engage in alcohol use and the risk for more significant alcohol-related problems (Hayes et al, 2004). Adolescents tend to drink differently than adults. They are more likely to engage in risky behaviors such as heavy episodic (or “binge”) drinking. Researchers believe these risky behaviors are the result of certain social factors, such as a greater independence and pressure from peers, as well as biological factors. Adolescents tend to be less sensitive to negative effects of alcohol, such as increased sleepiness and lack of coordination. This may explain why they are able to drink so much alcohol at one time. On the other hand, adolescents are more likely to have trouble with complex tasks, such as driving a motor vehicle, making adolescent alcohol use especially dangerous. Young adults: Young adulthood is the period between the ages of 18 and 29 years. During this period many young people pursue postsecondary education, enlist in the military, or enter the workforce. This is a time of transition and of increased risk for problems with alcohol. The youngest segment of this population—young adults ages 18–24—are most at risk for alcohol problems, compared with other age-groups. This group is most likely to drink heavily, regardless of their gender, ethnicity, and school or work status—that is, whether they attend college or are employed full time. Nonstudent, nonmilitary personnel may be more likely to continue dangerous drinking patterns into adulthood. This population does not have access to institutionally based programs that typically serve college students and military personnel. Additionally, this population may not have access to mental health services, making them vulnerable to psychiatric conditions, such as depression and anxiety, often associated with dangerous drinking patterns. Young adults ranging in age from the mid-teens to the late twenties have a higher prevalence of alcohol consumption and binge drinking than any other age group. They also drink more heavily than other age groups and experience more negative consequences, such as traffic crashes. Patterns of binge drinking change over time, and most heavy-drinking youth appear to gradually reduce consumption (i.e., they "mature out" of abusive drinking). According to the authors, programs designed to reduce both the risks and consequences of youthful drinking may help accelerate this maturing-out process Middle Adulthood: The middle adulthood constitutes the ages from 30 to 59. During this period the consequences of heavy drinking often become evident. Marriage is a major event in the transition from youth to adulthood. Newlyweds face many changes, including adapting to new social roles and adjusting to life within a partnership. The transition from a single to married lifestyle also may generate shifts in alcohol use and alcohol consumption. Drs. Kenneth E. Leonard and Linda J. Roberts discuss how alcohol influences marital quality in the early years of marriage. They conclude that one partners abuse of alcohol does not necessarily lead to marital problems. Rather, the interplay of each spouses drinking patterns may have the most effect on the health of a marriage. Old adulthood: Senior adults tend to drink less than other age-groups. However, research suggests that alcohol problems in older adults soon may become a national health issue. Research also shows that people born in recent years tend to drink more than older generations, suggesting that as the current population ages, these individuals will continue to drink more. Research has shown a strong association between depression and alcohol use disorders that continue into later life. In addition, a number of older adults also suffer from increased anxiety. Depression and alcohol use are the most commonly cited co-occurring disorders in older adults. Among those aged 65 and older, over 13% of those with lifetime major depression also met criteria for a lifetime alcohol use disorder (Grant & Harford, 1998).Twenty percent of older adults with depression have a co-occurring alcohol use disorder. 15 At-risk and problem drinking among the elderly is likely to increase existing feeling of depression. Older adults with this comorbidity can be more difficult to diagnose and treat because each of these problems may complicate the other. It is important from a clinical standpoint to assess depressive symptoms in addition to assessing for alcohol and psychoactive medication misuse. Alcoholism affects all aspects of life. It affects some stages more and some stages less but it is mostly dependent on the person. It has been seen having a greater impact on the lives of young adults as they consume more alcohol. Not even the infants and children are spared from its adverse effects. The alcoholic parents ruin the life of their children and destroy their personalities. Moreover it was previously seen that the older generation consumed less alcohol but the rate at which they utilize it now has been increased as well. References Schulenberg, J. E., & Maggs, J. L. (2002). A developmental perspective on alcohol use and heavy drinking during adolescence and the transition to young adulthood. Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, (14), 54. Streissguth, A. P., Barr, H. M., & Sampson, P. D. (1990). Moderate prenatal alcohol exposure: effects on child IQ and learning problems at age 7 1/2 years. Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, 14(5), 662-669. Leonard, K. E., & Blane, H. T. (Eds.). (1999). Psychological theories of drinking and alcoholism. NY: Guilford Press. Read More