Question

a) Define and describe addiction of alcohol.
b) Describe the scope of the addictions impact on the addict (physically & mentally, problems caused by the addiction, etc.) and society (such as medical/health & law enforcement costs, and other relevant factors).
c) Discuss potential methods (at least two for each addiction) that have been successful in helping addicts break the addiction.
d) Finally, discuss how a person can avoid the potential of becoming addicted in the first place to this specific type of addiction OR to keep from relapsing back into this specific type of addiction.

Answer 1

a) The alcohol addiction is consumption of large amounts of alcohol frequently despite having social and health problems associated with it.

Even though the person is well aware of the side effects and the problems he/she is facing because of severe alcoholism, they can’t control the urge to take alcohol as they are both physically and mentally dependent on it. These people have increased tolerance for the quantity of alcohol and this requires them to consume larger amounts of alcohol to make an effect. This consumption of large amounts causes dependance.

b) This addiction effects the person both socially, economically and also physically.

Social problems like absenteeism from work, unemployment, family issues, financial problems, law and traffic problems are common.

The chronic abuser of alcohol suffers from low mood, anxiety, hallucinations, alcohol withdrawal syndrome and alcohol related brain damage.

They may have panic attacks, restlessness, agitation, illusions, delusions, seizures, blackouts and other nervous system problems.

Harmful usage leads to peripheral neuropathy, cerebellar degeneration, cerebral hemorrhage, dementia, liver fatty change and cirrhosis, liver cancer, oesophagitis, gastritis, cancers, malabsorptions, oesophageal varies, hypertension, cardiomyopathies, telangectasias, hypertension, myopathies, hypoglycaemia, gout, hypogonadism, infertility etc. These are few complications of chronic and high quantity of alcohol abuse.

The alcoholics are also known to engage in driving under influence, violence, many street fights and end up in prison which adds a hefty amount of fine to be paid to the law.

c) The patient should be educated about the harmful effects of alcohol and in some patients with frequent relapses psychotherapy is advised. Change of work space and hobbies is known to help in some cases. Withdrawal symptoms can be treated with long acting benzodiazepines. Support and group therapies are known to help. Acamprosate help reduce cravings. Disulfiram blocks alcohol metabolism leading to aldehyde accumulation which causes headache and nausea

d) The saying “prevention is better than cure “ holds true till days and will be so. The following ways can help people from becoming addicts in the first place. A responsible person should be able to have self control. Limit your alcohol usage to occasional consumption. Even then make sure you do not consume more than moderate amount. Avoid binge drinking and do not succumb to peer pressure. Do not take the help of alcohol to deal with your problems and struggles. This will make you dependent on it and you will end up consuming alcohol whenever your life gets challenging.

If you are afraid you might have relapse, remember the reason you withdrew yourself from the addiction. Remember the struggle and therapy you had to take to get out of it. Feel free to seek help from professionals if you feel things are about to slip away from your hands. Whenever you want to have a drink, drink responsibly.

This is a short overview on the topic. Hope this helps you out. Please feel free to give your feedback and if you want to have further elaborate discussion on this. Thank you and have a great day.