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How To Write Your Best Alcoholism Essay?

Table of Contents

To start off, alcoholism is a physical and psychological disease characterized by regular consumption of high qualities of alcohol and troubles with giving up drinking.

It is a well-known fact that alcoholism is quite an issue nowadays. It breaks the lives of people, their families, and the whole society. According to WHO (World Health Organization), excessive use of alcohol causes 5.3% of deaths yearly, which makes a total of 3 million deaths.

The topic is quite vast, so it won’t be hard to find a thrilling aspect to cover in your essay.

6 facts for your alcoholism essay

The main goal of writing an essay on alcoholism is to highlight the problem, it’s causes, reasons, and outcomes.

Keep things simple, precise and informative. Use only credible sources in references. Try visiting official websites of WHO, Medical News Today (website specialized on medical information), ASAM (American Society of Addiction Medicine, on different addictions), etc.

Also, here are several facts for you to start off somewhere.

• Alcoholism is not only a disease but also an addiction. This may seem obvious. Therapists state that it can be as dangerous as drug addiction since a person gets used to it not only on a mental level but also on a physical. As a result, there are loads of difficulties when giving up.
• Alcoholism shouldn’t be regarded as a personal choice. Like any other addiction, it differs from person to person. Usually, people can’t notice that something is wrong before they actually try to stop drinking.
• Except for being a disease itself, alcoholism leads to health and social issues. Doctors claim that alcoholism results in liver disease, pancreatitis, cancers, brain damages, and others. Moreover, it leads to socialization problems as alcoholics can be depressed, aggressive and struggle from a negative attitude of society.
• Alcoholism has a genetic complex. It is stated that children of alcoholics are 4 times more predisposed to alcoholism. Scientists claim that alcohol and drug addiction usually starts with families.
• There are more men alcoholics than women. The research shows that men are more likely to become alcoholics than women. Investigation can’t actually explain this fact, but the main reason is considered to be the fact that men drink more alcohol overall.
• Alcohol makes people feel worse. Some may say that they drink to “drown sorrows,” but it doesn’t work in a long-term perspective. Actually, alcohol is a depressant.

How to structure the essay on alcoholism?

A good structure is essential for any writing. As a rule, the essay is divided into three parts: introduction, main body, and conclusion.

You might also want to write an outline for your work. Here are some easy instructions to follow:

Outline. Basically, it is a table of contents. You briefly plan your essay and organize your thoughts. Write down the statement you are about to use in the introduction, note several arguments supporting your statement and think of how to summarize these thoughts in conclusion .

Introduction. Here you need to provide the reader with some basic information on the topic. It may include the definition of alcoholism, statistics, and rates of how many alcoholics are out there, the yearly amount of deaths, age statistics, and so on. Include a thesis explaining the main idea of your essay and your standpoint. It shouldn’t be longer than 1 sentence.

The Main Body. Explain your standpoint step by step. Add arguments gradually. Each supporting statement takes 1 paragraph and is accompanied by a brief explanation . Put them in a logical order.

Conclusion. Sum up everything you said before and confirm the thesis. Do not add new ideas , statements, or facts. Here, in the alcoholism essay conclusion, you may express your own vision of the problem.

Causes and effects of alcoholism essay: what to cover?

Each case of alcoholism is unique and has its own set of reasons and consequences. Thus, you may need to know some general statistics and information on the causes and effects of alcoholism. Here are several prompts.

Causes of alcoholism essay:

• A stressful environment that enforces the person to seek consolation.
• Drinking at an early age.
• Mental issues (like depression, apathy, etc.).
• Genetics and family history.
• Mixing alcohol with medicine: possible outcomes.
• The experience of trauma.
• Bad influence of the company.
• Lack of family care.
• Power of the mass media.
• No awareness of the possible psychological problems.

Effects of alcoholism essay:

• Health problems, like heart and liver diseases, brain damage, low immunity, cancer, etc.
• Depression, apathy, suicidal thoughts.
• Slurred speech, confusion, trouble remembering things.
• Concentration issues.
• Bad academic performance.
• Increased chance of committing a crime.
• Domestic violence.
• Adverse effect on children.
• Loss of job and financial troubles.
• Mood swings.

Alcoholism is quite an issue in modern society. Essays, exploring this topic, are needed to spread the awareness of the risks we all encounter.

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Essay on Effects of Alcohol on the Body

Students are often asked to write an essay on Effects of Alcohol on the Body in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Effects of Alcohol on the Body

Introduction.

Alcohol is a common beverage, but it can have harmful effects on the body. Consuming alcohol impacts various organs and systems, leading to both short and long-term health issues.

Brain Impact

Alcohol affects the brain, causing problems with coordination, emotional control, and decision-making. Over time, it can lead to serious brain damage.

Liver Damage

The liver breaks down alcohol, but excessive drinking can cause liver diseases like cirrhosis and hepatitis.

Heart Problems

Alcohol can cause heart problems such as high blood pressure and heart disease. It can also lead to stroke.

250 Words Essay on Effects of Alcohol on the Body

Alcohol, a common substance in many societies, has profound impacts on the body. Its effects are far-reaching, affecting both physical and mental health. The body’s response to alcohol is complex, involving various systems including the nervous, digestive, and cardiovascular systems.

Nervous System

Alcohol primarily affects the nervous system by acting as a depressant. It slows brain function and alters neurotransmitter levels, leading to changes in mood, cognitive abilities, and coordination. Regular consumption can result in permanent brain damage, including memory loss and an increased risk of dementia.

Digestive System

Alcohol also wreaks havoc on the digestive system. It can cause inflammation and damage to the stomach lining, leading to ulcers and gastritis. Chronic alcohol use can lead to liver disease, including fatty liver, hepatitis, and cirrhosis, as the liver struggles to break down and eliminate alcohol from the body.

Cardiovascular System

The cardiovascular system is not immune to alcohol’s effects. Alcohol can cause high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke. It can also lead to cardiomyopathy, a condition where the heart muscle weakens and fails to pump blood efficiently.

In conclusion, alcohol has significant negative effects on various body systems. While moderate consumption may not lead to severe health issues, chronic and heavy drinking can result in long-term damage. Understanding these effects is crucial for making informed decisions about alcohol consumption.

500 Words Essay on Effects of Alcohol on the Body

Immediate effects of alcohol.

Upon consumption, alcohol rapidly enters the bloodstream and is distributed throughout the body. It primarily affects the central nervous system, leading to alterations in behavior, cognition, and motor skills. These changes are typically the sought-after effects, such as relaxation, euphoria, and decreased inhibition. However, these are often accompanied by less desirable effects like impaired judgment, coordination, and reaction times, increasing the risk of accidents and injuries.

Alcohol and the Liver

One of the most significant impacts of alcohol is on the liver, the organ responsible for its metabolism. Chronic heavy drinking can lead to alcoholic liver disease, which encompasses a spectrum of conditions from fatty liver to cirrhosis. Fatty liver, the earliest stage, is reversible with abstinence. However, continued alcohol abuse can lead to inflammation (alcoholic hepatitis) and eventually cirrhosis, a permanent scarring of the liver that impairs its function.

Alcohol and the Brain

Alcohol and the cardiovascular system.

Despite some research suggesting moderate alcohol consumption might have protective effects on the heart, heavy drinking is associated with a range of cardiovascular problems. These include hypertension, irregular heartbeat, and an increased risk of stroke and heart disease. Alcohol can also lead to cardiomyopathy, a condition where the heart muscle weakens, leading to heart failure.

Alcohol and the Digestive System

Alcohol can irritate the digestive system, leading to problems such as gastritis and pancreatitis. It also increases the risk of developing certain types of cancer, including those of the mouth, throat, esophagus, and liver.

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Essay Samples on Alcoholism

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Best topics on Alcoholism

1. The Glass Castle: The Hopelessness Of Rex Drinking And Impact On The Family

2. Reasons Why I Will Say No To Drugs And Alcohol

3. The Importance of Rehabilitation Help Programs for Patients with Addictions

4. “Indian Horse” Novel Analysis: the Role of Alcohol in Saul’s Life

5. The Effects Alcoholism Can Have on One’s Life in movie The Swimmer

6. The Cultural Divide During the Prohibition Era

7. Alcohol Prohibition in the United States and its Consequences

8. The Reasons Drinking Age in the USA Should Not Be Lowered

9. The Effects of Alcoholism on Person and Their Life

10. The Effects of Alcoholism on Health and Life

11. A Report on Alcoholism in American Society

12. Stimulation of Nervous System in Alcohol Abuse Crime

13. Alcohol Abuse Among Teens: Intervention Applying the Social Cognitive Theory

14. Addiction Behaviour in the Alcohol Abuse Situation

15. There are Health Benefits of Adequate Drinking and Fears of Excessive Alcohol Use

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Psychology Discussion

Essay on alcoholism.

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After reading this essay you will learn about Alcoholism:- 1. Meaning of Alcoholism 2. Classification of Alcoholism 3. Consequence 4. Causes 5. Current Methods to Treatment Alcoholism 6. Psychosocial Measures.

• Psychosocial Measures of Alcoholism

Essay # 1. Meaning of Alcoholism:

The problem of alcoholism has posed a serious threat to modern civilization for the very fact that around the world and particularly in the west very swiftly teenagers are turning alcoholics. It is stated that out of every 20 persons in the U.S.A., at least one is an alcoholic.

In India, a study sponsored by the Dep’t of Social Welfare, Govt., of India, in 6 states, Bombay, Delhi, Hyderabad, Madras, Varanasi and Jaipur on a sample of 35,000 showed that the most commonly abused drugs were alcohol, tobacco and pain killers.

In the revised edition of DSM III-R there is no specific diagnostic category called “Alcoholism”. Alcoholism is classified under the general term of “Psychoactive substance use disorder” and the specific syndrome that relate to alcoholism.

Alcohol is the major Psychotic drug used worldwide. Only in the U.S. there are estimated more than 13 million people who are diagnosed as alcoholics. DSM III-R reports that according to the community study approximately 13 per cent of the adults had alcohol abuse or dependence at some point of their life.

Following heart disease and cancer alcoholism is the third largest health problem in the U.S. today. As estimated by DSM III-R about 35 per cent of the American adults abstain, 55 per cent drink less than three alcoholic drinks a week and only 11 per cent drink an average of one ounce or more alcohol a day.

Drinking pattern also vary with age and sex. It is thus obvious that a small percentage of the population consume 20% of the total and 30% of the drinkers consume 80 per cent and 10 per cent of the drinkers consume 50 per cent.

Alcoholism is linked with many social evils including automobile and train accidents, murder, rape, physical assault, molestation, industrial accidents and also homicide and suicide. It disrupts social and familial life.

Cancer and heart diseases occur due to heavy drinking. It is also responsible for lowered efficiency and absenteeism among industrial workers. It is considered as the third major cause of death in U.S.A. The average life span of an alcoholic is 12 years less than of a normal person.

The W.H.O. (1969) has defined alcoholics as excessive drinkers whose dependence on alcohol has attained such a degree that they show noticeable mental disturbance or an interference with their mental and bodily health, their interpersonal relations and their smooth social and economic functioning, or who show the prodromal (beginning) signs of such developments.

Alcohol is a depressant drug which affects the central nervous system immediately. It no doubt produces some stimulation and reduces tension and brings relaxation. But when larger amounts are consumed, sensory motor coordination, balance, vision, speech, thought processes and perceptions are affected.  

Essay # 2. Classification of Alcoholism:

I. the alpha alcoholics:.

It is the beginning stage. The alpha alcoholic depends upon alcohol to reduce or relieve emotional tension or physical pain. It does not lose control after the use of the drug. But when he finds that use of alcohol is more important than communicating with others, his interpersonal relationship deteriorates.

ii. The Beta Alcoholics:

In addition to interpersonal difficulties physical problems arise by the excessive use of alcohol like cirrhosis of liver and ulcers, heart troubles. But in this type there is no physical or psychological dependence.

iii. The Gamma Alcoholics:

The gamma drinkers lose control of their drinking and exhibit significant signs of physical, psychological and social deterioration. The physiological dependence in the gamma drinkers is such that when they stop drinking physiological withdrawal symptoms are found.

iv. The Delta Alcoholics:

The delta alcoholic is the most severe type among the four. The drinkers drink right from the morning continuously without any break and cannot abstain from drinking for any period of time. He neglects his food and becomes weak. He is never found to be sober. When the drinking is cleared, it leads to severe physiological withdrawal symptoms.

Essay # 3. Consequences of Alcoholism:

A Japanese proverb says “First the man takes the drink, then the drink takes the man.” The physiological, social, psychological familial and occupational disturbances arise due to the adverse consequences of alcoholism.

Physiological damages include damage of the liver, endocrine glands, heart failure and hypertension etc. The physical effects are so adverse that according to Talbolt (1974) withdrawal from alcohol may lead to death in certain cases. It is also psychologically unpleasant. Hallucinations occur.

There is physical pain. Vision and speech are affected. The nervous system may not automatically continue functioning, breathing may stop and convulsions may occur. When this stage is somehow passed, the person gets back his normal life to some extent and many of the symptoms may disappear. But alcoholic toxicity is still present and needs medical care.

Delirium tremens are the most important psychological symptoms associated with withdrawal of alcohol. These tremens occur in people who are over 30 years age and drinking consistently at-least for 4 years. It is caused by a suaden drop in the intake of alcohol. The symptoms of delirium tremens are restlessness, sleeplessness, night mares, hallucinations, and delusions of terrifying nature.

After the delirium Korsakeff’s psychoses may also occur; with the symptoms of amnesia, disorientation in time and place, distortion of memory or pseudo memory. Due to pseudo memory, the person talks about things that never happened to him and this occurs in women alcoholics more frequently.

Alcohol being a central nervous system depressant like the other anaesthetics, when 0.05 per cent alcohol is found in the blood, thought, judgment and restraints are loosened and sometimes disrupted. Voluntary motor actions by and large become visibly clumsy at a concentration of 0.10 per cent.

When the level of alcohol in blood reaches 0.20 per cent, the function of the entire motor area of the brain is significantly depressed and the parts of the brain controlling emotional behaviour is likely to be affected. At 30 per cent a person is usually confused and may become stuporaous.

At 40 to 50 per cent the alcoholic is in coma and at more higher levels, centres of the brain controlling breaching and rate of heart beat are affected leading to possibility of death. Alcohol also decreases REM sleep and causes insomnia.

Alcoholic paramecia also may occur in some who are predisposed to faulty adjustment and suspicion. Abuse of alcohol may also lead to all sorts of maladaptive characters like jealousy, hatred, fault finding and the adjustive capacity of the person becomes weak day by day.

Essay # 4. Causes of Alcoholism:

It is said that alcohol tends to induce a pleasant feeling tone, brings relaxation, reduces tension and provides physical and mental stimulation to work. Pointing out the physiological effects of wine, a Roman poet wrote, “It discloses secrets, ratifies and confirms our hopes, thrusts the coward forth the battle, ceases the anxious mind from its burden and instructs in arts.”

However, the alcoholic has strong craving for alcohol and this makes him unfit for any job in the sense that his attention is centred around alcohol only.

Why a person becomes alcoholic while others not?

It has several causes.

i. Biological Factors :

Some believe that alcoholism or the tendency for alcohol may be inherited. Findings of the studies by Erickson (1968), Rodgers (1966) and Schlesinger (1966) show certain evidences of the presence of certain genetic components in the occurrence of alcoholism.

Winokur (1970) found that alcoholism does tend to run in families. In a study of 259 hospitalized alcoholics he found that more than 40 per cent had a parent who was an alcoholic. Goodwin (1973, 1974) on the basis of their findings viewed that “it was being born to an alcoholic biologic parent rather than being raised by one that increases the risk of the son becoming an alcoholic.”

It is said that children of alcoholics become alcoholics about 4 times more often than children of non-alcoholics even when they are not brought up by their own parents. In a 30 year longitudinal Swedish study of adopted male children who subsequently become alcoholics, it was found that about 25 per cent had biological fathers who were also alcoholics.

Another Swedish study revealed that monozygotic twins had about twice the coincidence rate of alcoholism as dizygotic twins of the same sex. Studies also indicate a higher craving for alcoholism among dizygotic twins than among non-twin siblings.

Irwin (1968) reported that more than 50 per cent of the alcoholics had an alcoholic parent. On the other hand, Roe, Burks and Mittleman’s (1945)’s findings doubt the genetic hypotheses. Studies of Rose, Burks have supported the above study.

There are majority of cases where children of alcoholic parents do not become alcoholics. Thus Coleman (1981) says, “whether the familial incidence results from shared genes or a shared alcoholic environment is a matter of some controversy.”

The exact role of genetic factors in the causation of alcoholism is therefore not known. It is viewed that constitutional predisposition to alcoholism can be acquired as well as inherited. However, the genetic factors may play their role in predisposing causes.

ii. Psychological and Personality Factors :

Besides the physiological dependence alcohol also produces a strong psychological dependency as well because of the following factors:

(a) Psychological vulnerability:

It refers to a type of personality which makes one vulnerable or predisposed to alcohol under conditions of stress. Instead of using some other defence to adjust with or overcome the stress, these people turn to alcohol.

Personality studies of alcoholics show that they are emotionally immature, they need a lot of praise, appreciation and attention from others and they are very much hurt and disturbed by failures and frustrations.

They feel very in-secured and inferior and have low frustration tolerance. Winokur (1970), Pralt (1972) and Mcclelland (1972) have stated that many young men take to heavy drinking to prove their masculinity and to achieve feelings of adequacy and competency.

According to the findings of James (1968, 1971), Wood uff (1973), antisocial personality and depression may also have some links with heavy drinking.

In-spite of these findings it is not yet established which specific characters are responsible in the development of alcoholism. Nobody can deny that there are also many persons with identical personality characteristics and yet they have not become alcoholics.

However, the role of personality maladjustment in the causation of alcoholism cannot be denied. Since excessive drinking impairs the total life adjustment of an individual, the question arises as to what needs alcohol fulfils that the individual so much depends upon it?

According to the psychological theories alcohol takes the person away from the burdens, responsibilities, heart aches, sorrows and distresses, worries and anxieties of modern life. Alcohol is a vehicle to escape from conflicts, business worries and inferiority complexes.

It gives courage to the coward, confidence to the timid, pleasure to the unhappy and success to failure that is what those who take alcoholics say. In brief, alcohol permits a flight from the disappointments and frustrations of reality. These explanations nevertheless speak only a part of the story.

(b) Stress, tension reduction and reinforcement:

Innumerable observa­tions of the personal lives of alcoholics and quite a number of investigations point out that an alcoholic is dissatisfied with life and has very less frustration and stress tolerance capacity. They probably take it to be away from reality, a reality without hope and meaning for them.

This view has been particularly put forth by the American Medical Association Committee on Alcoholism and Drug Dependency (1969). According to Schafer, alcoholism is a conditioned response to anxiety. When the person finds that each time he takes alcohol it reduces his anxiety, stress and gives him relaxation, he is further reinforced to take it more and more until he becomes alcoholic.

Other experts on the subject reject this view and opine that alcoholism is only a learned maladaptive response which is reinforced and maintained by tension reduction.

Bandura (1969) stated that delayed consequences are very harmful and destructive for the person; yet people are more influenced and controlled by the immediate effect. The immediate reinforcement encourages them to take to drinking more and more.

(c) Marital crisis and other familial problems:

Marital problems pose many crisis for the individual. It not only hurts him, but brings in self devaluation. Divorce, separation, untimely death of children or spouse add to the extra marital relationship of one of the partners, constant quarrel and conflict between husband and wife, poverty and disease may lead to habitual drinking.

Alcohol problems are also correlated with a history of school difficulty, High School dropouts and persons with records of antisocial activity and delinquency appear to be at particularly high risk for alcoholism. Cirhosis data suggest that persons in certain occupation are more likely to develop alcoholism.

Alcoholism is estimated to be associated with at-least 50 per cent of traffic accidents, 50 per cent homicides, 25 per cent of suicides and large number of deaths in a year from alcoholic related diseases.

Persons with a harsh superego turn to alcohol as a means of reducing their unconscious stress. Some alcoholics are fixated at the oral stage of development and relieve frustration by taking substances in mouth. The alcoholic personality is described as shy, isolated, impatient, irritable, anxious, hypersensitive and sexually repressed.

iii. Sociocultural Factors:

The role of sociocultural factors in alcoholism and alcohol abuse has been emphasised by many investigators, particularly in certain societies and cultures, drinking has been considered as a social act. This sociocultural trend encourages many to drink in clubs, parties and in many other social get together.

According to Pliner and Capped (1974) liquor has come to play an almost ritualistic role in prompting gaiety and pleasant social interaction. Different cultures pose different degree of stress for the person. Horton (1943) noted that greater the insecurity level and stress in a culture, greater is the need for taking alcohol to the level of becoming an alcoholic.

Bales (1946) in a quite useful study pointed out 3 cultural factors that play a part in determining the incidence of alcoholism in a given society:

(a) The degree of stress and inner tension produced by that culture.

(b) The attitude towards drinking fostered by that culture.

(c) The degree to which the culture provides the substitute means of satisfaction and other ways of copying with tension and anxiety. To add to this, the effects of rapid social change and social disintegration in a particular culture, with which people are not able to cope, lead to further stress and anxiety.

Eskimos for instance, in many places of rural Alaska, (Time, 1974) are taking to heavy drinking mainly due to the rapid social change in their traditional values and way of life.

In comparison to other countries of the world, alcoholism is said to be a major problem in the United States and Soviet Union. An overall analysis of the various explanations of alcoholism reveals that it is not caused by a single factor. It is an outcome of multiple variables influencing simultaneously. Many more factors of alcoholism are still unknown and future research can only highlight these factors.

Alcoholism is a highly complex disorder involving multifarious causes. Thus, the appropriate approach to the treatment of alcoholism seems to be multidisciplinary. Alcoholism requires flexibility and individualisation of treatment procedures. Hospitalisation and institutionalisation of alcoholics are being treated in community clinics.

When the impairment because of alcoholism becomes severe the patient needs constant care. The risk is 35 per cent of alcoholic pregnant woman having a defective child. Excessive consumption of alcohol also causes her more imbalances leading to the risk of abnormalities.

Treatment can be most successful in patients who voluntarily come to a psychiatrist for treatment because they feel that they need help to give up alcoholism. This conscious feeling that alcohol is undesirable for them is to be aroused by someone since this realisation has a tremendous impact.

Physical punishment is an old type of treatment which does not work. In many plants, however, alcoholic employees are threatened by employers with immediate discharge from job which leads to permanent cure in some cases. Vigilance during the first week of the month may also reduce alcoholism to some extent.

Essay # 5. Current Methods to Treatment Alcoholism:

I. biological measure:.

Medical measures in detoxification include, elimination of the harmful alcoholic substances from the individuals body, treatment of withdrawal symptoms. A drug called chlordiazepoxide has helped a lot in the treatment of withdrawal symptoms like motor excitement, nausea, vomiting, delirium, tremors and convulsions.

It also alleviates tension and anxiety. After detoxification psychological measures like family counselling, employment facilities including other social readjustments are provided.

ii. Aversion Therapy :

The patient is given to drink at regular intervals mixed with emetic drugs; which have extremely uncomfortable effects. Antabuse may also be administered to prevent the return of drinking immediately. It is presumed that since each such drink makes him ill, he will become sufficiently conditioned to stop taking to alcohol.

By means of electric shock aversive conditioning, technique can be applied with success. But unless his emotional problems are solved he may again take to drinking in-spite of the uncomfortable feeling it provides and he will again continue to drink.

Davidson (1974) has viewed on the basis of extensive comparison of available studies that despite a number of positive results there was insufficient data to assess the long range effectiveness of aversion therapy on alcoholism.

iii. Brain Surgery :

Fritz, Roder and his associates (1974) from Gottingen University in Germany have opined “our research have revealed that dependence on drugs or alcohol assumes that proportions of a natural urge after a certain period and the sexual drive or urge to eat, is controlled by a certain brain centre. Neutralizing this centre which is more than 50 cubic millimetre in volume, will cure the patient for all time.”

However, to use brain surgery for the treatment of alcoholism is a controversial matter in view of its dangerous procedure.

Essay # 6. Psychosocial Measures of Alcoholism:

It involves:

(a) Group therapy,

(b) Socio-therapy,

(c) Alcoholics Anonymous.

i. Group Therapy :

The alcoholic must realise that he has a problem which needs his cooperation for its solution. This very recognition of the problem and its undesirable devastating consequences will have the way to therapy. After this through group discussion in the midst of family members and through family therapy treatment may proceed. Here each family member is given a responsibility for cooperating in treatment.

Behaviour therapy:

Through behaviour therapy the alcoholic is taught other ways and methods to reduce anxiety. By the help of relaxation training, assertiveness training, self controlled skills and new strategies to master the environment, efforts are made to reduce anxiety and tension of the alcoholic.

A number of operant conditioning techniques are also used which condition alcoholics to modify their drinking behaviour or abstain from drinking completely. The reinforces in these techniques used are monitory reward, an opportunity to live in an enriched, in-patient environment and access to pleasurable social interaction.

ii. Socio Therapy:

The therapist helps the patient to work out a solution that will give him the satisfaction he is lacking. His aversive life situations are to be alleviated. The therapist must help the patient to reopen the happy chapter of his family life once more having a congenial and cordial relationship with family members, relations and friends.

He should be helped to develop effective methods of adjustment. He should not be allowed in any way to live in high risk environments.

Thus, the aim of socio-therapy is to deal adequately with the hostility, negative attitude of the family, friends and society towards the alcoholic. Keeping this in mind currently community reinforcement approach has developed the main aim of which is to help the problem drinkers to achieve more satisfactory adjustment in personal, professional and social life.

iii. Alcoholics Anonymous:

It is a practical approach to the treatment of alcoholism which has been quite effective. It is mostly a psychotherapeutic programme in which person to person and group relationships are encouraged, spiritual development is the central point of its approach to treatment.

Discussions on the problem are made. It provides for its members an atmosphere of mutual understanding, acceptance and sympathetic fellow feeling. The alcoholics are encouraged to solve their problems without the feelings of isolation and shame.

The alcoholics anonymous technique lifts the burden of personal responsibility from the alcoholic by helping him to realise that “alcoholism like many other problems is bigger than he.

” Regarding the effectiveness of Alcoholic Anonymous Coleman (1981) states “By mutual help and reassurance through participation in a group composed of others, who have shared similar experiences, many an alcoholic acquires insight into his problems, new sense of purpose, greater ego strength and more effective coping techniques.”

Among patients who really want to be cured and whose drinking has been of recent origin, this approach to alcoholism has met with considerable success. Not only treatment, prevention of alcoholism is particularly important in India, keeping in view the widespread misery, wastage, illness and loss of life it causes.

Social consciousness through propaganda campaigns, posters, audio visual aids and education is aroused among people regarding the adverse effects of alcohol. The rural illiterate masses and the weaker sections of the society who have particularly become victims to alcohol should be given special attention.

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Alcoholism - List of Essay Samples And Topic Ideas

Alcoholism, a chronic disease characterized by an uncontrolled consumption of alcohol despite adverse consequences, stands as a critical public health issue globally. Essays could delve into the biological, psychological, and socio-cultural factors contributing to alcoholism, exploring how they interplay to precipitate and perpetuate the disorder. They might also discuss the wide-reaching ramifications of alcoholism on individuals’ health, relationships, and societal productivity. Discussions could extend to the examination of treatment options, prevention strategies, and the broader public health initiatives aimed at reducing the prevalence and impact of alcoholism. The discourse may also touch on the stigmatization of alcoholism, and how societal attitudes and policies toward alcoholism and recovery are evolving. We’ve gathered an extensive assortment of free essay samples on the topic of Alcoholism you can find at Papersowl. You can use our samples for inspiration to write your own essay, research paper, or just to explore a new topic for yourself.

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• Table Of Contents

alcoholism , excessive and repetitive drinking of alcoholic beverages to the extent that the drinker repeatedly is harmed or harms others. The harm may be physical or mental; it may also be social, legal, or economic. Because such use is usually considered to be compulsive and under markedly diminished voluntary control, alcoholism is considered by a majority of, but not all, clinicians as an addiction and a disease .

The concept of inveterate drunkenness as a disease appears to be rooted in antiquity. The Roman philosopher Seneca classified it as a form of insanity . The term alcoholism , however, appeared first in the classical essay “Alcoholismus Chronicus” (1849) by the Swedish physician Magnus Huss. The phrase chronic alcoholism rapidly became a medical term for the condition of habitual inebriety, and the bearer of the “disease” was called an alcoholic or alcoholist (e.g., Italian alcoolisto , French alcoolique , German Alkoholiker , Spanish alcohólico , Swedish alkoholist ).

Alcoholism is a complex, many-sided phenomenon, and its many formal definitions vary according to the point of view of the definer. A simplistic definition calls alcoholism a disease caused by chronic , compulsive drinking. A purely pharmacological-physiological definition of alcoholism classifies it as a drug addiction that requires imbibing increasing doses to produce desired effects and that causes a withdrawal syndrome when drinking is stopped. This definition is inadequate, however, because alcoholics, unlike other drug addicts, do not always need ever-increasing doses of alcohol . Opium addicts, on the other hand, become so adapted to the drug that they can survive more than a hundred times the normal lethal dose, but the increased amounts to which alcoholics become adapted are rarely above the normal single lethal dose. Moreover, the withdrawal syndromes in alcoholism occur inconsistently, sometimes failing to appear in a person who has experienced them before and never occurring in some drinkers whose destructive behaviour is otherwise not distinguishable from that of someone who is pharmacologically dependent on alcohol.

A third definition, behavioral in nature, defines alcoholism as a disorder in which alcohol assumes marked salience in the individual’s life and in which the individual experiences a loss of control over its desired use. In this definition, alcoholism may or may not involve physiological dependence , but invariably it is characterized by alcohol consumption that is sufficiently great to cause regret and repeated physical, mental, social, economic, or legal difficulties. Clinicians call such a behavioral disorder a disease because it persists for years, is strongly hereditary, and is a major cause of death and disability. In addition, alcohol permanently alters the brain’s plasticity with regard to free choice over beginning or stopping drinking episodes. As with other medical diseases but unlike most bad habits, prospective studies demonstrate that willpower per se is of little predictive significance.

An informed minority opinion, especially among sociologists, believes that the medicalization of alcoholism is an error. Unlike most disease symptoms, the loss of control over drinking does not hold true at all times or in all situations. The alcoholic is not always under internal pressure to drink and can sometimes resist the impulse to drink or can drink in a controlled way. The early symptoms of alcoholism vary from culture to culture, and recreational public drunkenness may sometimes be mislabeled alcoholism by the prejudiced observer. In the general population, variation in daily alcohol consumption is distributed along a smooth continuum . This characteristic is inconsistent with the medical model, which implies that alcoholism is either present or absent—as is the case, for example, with pregnancy or a brain tumour. For such reasons, the sociological definition regards alcoholism as merely one symptom of social deviance and believes its diagnosis often lies in the eyes and value system of the beholder. For example, periodic intoxication can cause sickness necessitating days of absence from work. In a modern industrial community , this makes alcoholism similar to a disease. In a rural Andean society, however, the periodic drunkenness that occurs at appointed communal fiestas and results in sickness and suspension of work for several days is normal behaviour. It should be noted that this drunkenness at fiestas is a choice and does not produce regret. If the sociological model were entirely correct, alcoholism should often be expected to disappear with maturation as is the case with many other symptoms of social deviance. This does not occur, however.

Finally, epidemiologists need a definition of alcoholism that enables them to identify alcoholics within a population that may not be available for individual examination. To define alcoholism they may rely on quantity and frequency measurements of reported community drinking and alcohol-related hospitalizations, on a formula based on the frequency of deaths from cirrhosis within the population, or on arrests for alcohol-related misbehaviour.

Drug and Alcohol Abuse Analytical Essay

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Introduction

Works cited.

For along time now, drug and alcohol abuse in the society has been a problem that affects the youth and the society at large. The youth in the society get engaged in abusing substances that they feel all help them forget their problems. This paper highlights the problems of drug abuse and alcohol drinking among the youth in the society.

Alcohol is a substance that contains some elements that are bring about physical and psychological changes to an individual. Being a depressant, alcohol affects the nervous system altering the emotions and perceptions of individuals. Many teenager abuse alcohol and other drug substances due to curiosity, the need to feel good and to fit in their different groups. Drinking alcohol should not be encouraged because it usually affects the health of the youth.

It puts their health at a risk. Drinking youth are more likely to engage in irresponsible sexual activities that may result in unexpected pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases. Additionally, teenagers who drink are more likely to get fat while complicating further their health conditions. Moreover, the youth drinking are at a risk of engaging in criminal activities hence being arrested (Cartwright 133).

According to the Australian Psychological Society, a drug can be a substance that brings about physical or psychological changes to an individual (2). Youngsters in the in the community take stuffs to increase enjoyment or decrease the sensational or physical pain. Some of the abused drugs by the youth in the society include marijuana, alcohol, heroine and cocaine.

The dangers of drug abuse are the chronic intoxication of the youth that is detrimental to their societies. Much intake of drugs leads to addiction that is indicated by the desire to take the drugs that cannot be resisted.

The effect of alcohol and other hard drugs are direct on the central nervous system. Alcohol and drug abuse is linked to societal practices like, partying, societal events, entertainment, and spirituality. The Australian Psychological Society argues that the choice of a substance is influenced by the particular needs of the substance user (3).

However, the effects of drug abuse differ from one individual to another. The abuse of drugs becomes a social problem whenever the users fail to meet some social responsibilities at home, work, or school. This is usually the effect when the substances are used more than they are normally taken. Additionally, when the use of substances is addictive, it leads to social problems (Cartwright 135).

Drug and alcohol abuse among the youth in the society should be discouraged and voided at all costs. The youth are affected and the society is affected. The productive young men and women cannot perform their social duties. One way in which the abuse of drugs and alcohol can be avoided in the society is through engaging the youth in various productive activities. This will reduce their idle time while keeping them busy (Cartwright 134).

They will not have enough time for drinking. Additionally, they will have fewer problems to worry about. They should also be educated and warned about the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse both to their health and to the society. Since alcohol and substance abuse is related to increased crime in the society, its reduction will lead to reduced crime rates and economic growth.

The Australian Psychological Society. Alcohol, and Other Drugs . Australian Psychological society. Web.

Cartwright, William. Costs of Drug Abuse to the Society. The Journal of Mental Health Policy and Economics , 1999. 2, 133-134.

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Home — Essay Samples — Nursing & Health — Alcohol Abuse — A Report on Alcohol Abuse and Its Consequences

A Report on Alcohol Abuse and Its Consequences

• Categories: Alcohol Abuse

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Words: 3936 |

20 min read

Published: Oct 2, 2020

Words: 3936 | Pages: 9 | 20 min read

Table of contents

Introduction, current status, harmful effects of alcohol abuse, possible solutions, future implications.

• Strengthen restrictions on the availability of alcohol.
• Enhance and enforce measures to combat drink-driving.
• Facilitate access to screening, brief interventions, and treatment.
• Enforce bans or comprehensive restrictions on alcohol advertising, sponsorship, and promotion.
• Increase alcohol prices through excise taxes and pricing policies.
• Primary prevention: Educating patients about the adverse effects of alcohol abuse.
• Secondary prevention: Conducting screenings and early identification of alcohol abuse.
• Tertiary prevention: Providing treatment options such as rehabilitation programs and medications to reduce the urge to consume alcohol.
• Collect routine alcohol and other drug histories.
• Implement primary prevention measures, including anticipatory guidance and alcohol abuse education.
• Assess potential alcohol-related problems.
• Formulate diagnoses of abuse based on patient assessments and data analysis.
• Undertake suitable nursing interventions.
• Identify acute alcohol-related illnesses and make appropriate referrals to physicians or specialists in addiction nursing.
• Provide ongoing care, including follow-up, monitoring, health maintenance, or healthcare support during recovery.

References:

• World Health Organization. (2018). Global status report on alcohol and health 2018. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789241565639
• National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. (n.d.). Understanding alcohol use disorder. https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/alcohol-health/overview-alcohol-consumption/alcohol-use-disorders
• Rehm, J., Shield, K. D., Gmel, G., Rehm, M. X., & Frick, U. (2019). Modeling the impact of alcohol dependence on mortality burden and the effect of available treatment interventions in the European Union. European Neuropsychopharmacology, 29(8), 923-932. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.euroneuro.2019.04.006
• Esser, M. B., Hedden, S. L., Kanny, D., Brewer, R. D., Gfroerer, J. C., & Naimi, T. S. (2014). Prevalence of alcohol dependence among US adult drinkers, 2009-2011. Preventing Chronic Disease, 11, E206. https://doi.org/10.5888/pcd11.140329
• Shield, K. D., Parry, C., & Rehm, J. (2013). Chronic diseases and conditions related to alcohol use. Alcohol Research: Current Reviews, 35(2), 155-173. https://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/arcr352/155-173.pdf
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2019). Key substance use and mental health indicators in the United States: Results from the 2018 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (HHS Publication No. PEP19-5068, NSDUH Series H-54). https://www.samhsa.gov/data/report/2018-nsduh-annual-national-report
• World Health Organization. (2021). SAFER: A World Health Organization initiative to prevent and reduce alcohol-related death and disability. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/safer-alcohol-control-initiative

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The college experience is often associated with the party lifestyle. Students are known for their social gatherings, late-night outings, and alcohol-fueled events. While some may argue that this lifestyle is an essential part of [...]

National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. (2014). "Alcohol Use Disorder." Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2017). "Key Substance Use and Mental Health Indicators in the United States: [...]

Alcohol abuse is a serious and widespread issue that affects individuals, families, and communities around the world. It is defined as the excessive consumption of alcohol, leading to negative physical, mental, and social [...]

Substance abuse is a major public health issue that affects millions of people worldwide. It refers to the harmful or hazardous use of psychoactive substances, including alcohol and illicit drugs. Substance abuse can have [...]

On Sunday February 17th, I attended my first AA meeting at the “Grupo Fe y Amor” location in Los Angeles. I attended the meeting in spanish with my mom who had never been to a meeting before. As we walked into the meeting there [...]

A drug is a natural or synthetic substance which when taken into a living body affects the normal functioning or structure and it is used in the diagnosis, mitigation, treatment or prevention of a disease. Drug misuse is using a [...]

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