Learn More About Stopping Your Drinking Problem
- Date: 2007-08-08 - Word Count: 856
Share This!
Alcoholism is a disease. It is chronic (in that it lasts a person's lifetime). It usually follows a predictable course and it has symptoms. Then there are the damaging effects of alcohol abuse outside the body. Many alcoholics find it difficult to manage their lives, leading to legal problems and relationship problems that can result in the destructive breakup of marriages and families. Unfortunately, such problems often lead to more drinking and even more problems - driving drunk, for example, and the chance of accidentally killing someone.
The physiological aspects of alcohol dependence are associated with a much greater potential for medical problems such as acute alcohol withdrawal. The first criteria usually associated with alcohol dependence are considered to be tolerance and alcohol withdrawal. The remaining criteria usually are defined as behavioral and cognitive dimensions of alcohol dependence including impaired control when an individual consumes larger amounts of alcohol over longer periods of time than they intend to, and when persistent desires or unsuccessful attempts to cut down or control drinking are not successful despite knowledge of a persistent recurrent physical or psychological problem, and alcohol use becoming incredibly important to the individual, including spending a great deal of time drinking, recovering from its effects, or when important social and occupational activities are given up or reduced because of drinking. These are all key criteria in the diagnosis of alcohol dependence.
The consequences of alcohol abuse are numerous and greatly affect the way people live their lives. At first, people don't believe they have a problem because the way they drink seems normal and the same as everyone else's drinking habits. However, drinking can become a way for people to deal with their problems, which is definitely an indication of alcohol dependence. Mental health problems as a result of drinking are also a sign of alcohol dependence. Most people feel that drinking relieves the symptoms of problems such as anxiety, panic attacks, or bipolar disorder. However, the fact is that drinking actually increases their symptoms. Physical symptoms are also a problem that drinking can cause, such as liver disease.
Teens are often very susceptible to the lure of alcohol. According to a 2004 survey of high school students by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 75% of high school students have at least tried alchohol. Many of them have had episodes of heavy drinking. It is a known fact that a leading death factor in teen-related car accidents is alcohol. Alcohol can affect the way the brain fuctions, especially the areas controlling decision-making and emotions, meaning that growth and development can be greatly hindered in teens if they drink alcohol. Memory and learning abilities can be affected, harming a teen's performance in school. The worst danger is that use of alchol in a teen can progress to abuse, and perhaps to addiction.
Family risk factors for teenagers developing drinking problems include low parent supervision or communication, family conflicts, inconsistent or severe parental discipline, and a family history of alcohol or drug abuse. Individual risk factors include problems managing impulses, emotional instability, thrill-seeking behaviors, and perceiving the risk of using alcohol to be low. Girls who drink, as well as teens who begin drinking prior to the age of 14 years and those whose mothers have drinking problems, are more likely to develop alcoholism. Teen risk factors for alcoholism differ a bit between the 14- to 16-year-old and 16- to 18-year-old age groups, in that the latter tend to be less likely to drink in excess when they have a close relationship with their mothers.
Many substances can bring on withdrawal-an effect caused by cessation or reduction in the amount of the substance used. Withdrawal can range from mild anxiety to seizures and hallucinations. Withdrawal from alcohol can cause anxiety, irregular heartbeat, tremor, seizures, and hallucinations. In its severest form, withdrawal combined with malnutrition can lead to a life-threatening condition called delirium tremens (DTs). Alcohol is the most common cause of liver failure in the US. The drug can cause heart enlargement and cancer of the esophagus, pancreas, and stomach. In addition to its direct health effects, officials associate alcohol abuse with nearly half of all fatal motor vehicle accidents. In 1992, the total economic cost of alcohol abuse was estimated at $150 billion.
The management of alcohol withdrawal through detoxification is an incredibly important initial intervention for a significant number of alcohol dependent people. The objective of alcohol withdrawal is maintaining some comfort as the alcoholic goes through the early stages of treatment, the prevention of treatment complications, and preparing the individual for alcohol rehabilitation. The successful management of alcohol withdrawal is an important aspect of preparing an individual for subsequent efforts at alcohol rehabilitation. Social detoxification which involves the nonpharmacological treatment of alcohol withdrawal has also been shown to be effective. This involves frequent reassurance, reality orientation, personal attention, monitoring of vital signs and general nursing care. Social detoxification is most appropriate for individuals with mild to moderate alcohol withdrawal symptoms. Many individuals have significant medical problems associated with alcoholism which substantially complicate therapy, so it is absolutely essential that therapists refer those individuals whose conditions require medical management.
The physiological aspects of alcohol dependence are associated with a much greater potential for medical problems such as acute alcohol withdrawal. The first criteria usually associated with alcohol dependence are considered to be tolerance and alcohol withdrawal. The remaining criteria usually are defined as behavioral and cognitive dimensions of alcohol dependence including impaired control when an individual consumes larger amounts of alcohol over longer periods of time than they intend to, and when persistent desires or unsuccessful attempts to cut down or control drinking are not successful despite knowledge of a persistent recurrent physical or psychological problem, and alcohol use becoming incredibly important to the individual, including spending a great deal of time drinking, recovering from its effects, or when important social and occupational activities are given up or reduced because of drinking. These are all key criteria in the diagnosis of alcohol dependence.
The consequences of alcohol abuse are numerous and greatly affect the way people live their lives. At first, people don't believe they have a problem because the way they drink seems normal and the same as everyone else's drinking habits. However, drinking can become a way for people to deal with their problems, which is definitely an indication of alcohol dependence. Mental health problems as a result of drinking are also a sign of alcohol dependence. Most people feel that drinking relieves the symptoms of problems such as anxiety, panic attacks, or bipolar disorder. However, the fact is that drinking actually increases their symptoms. Physical symptoms are also a problem that drinking can cause, such as liver disease.
Teens are often very susceptible to the lure of alcohol. According to a 2004 survey of high school students by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 75% of high school students have at least tried alchohol. Many of them have had episodes of heavy drinking. It is a known fact that a leading death factor in teen-related car accidents is alcohol. Alcohol can affect the way the brain fuctions, especially the areas controlling decision-making and emotions, meaning that growth and development can be greatly hindered in teens if they drink alcohol. Memory and learning abilities can be affected, harming a teen's performance in school. The worst danger is that use of alchol in a teen can progress to abuse, and perhaps to addiction.
Family risk factors for teenagers developing drinking problems include low parent supervision or communication, family conflicts, inconsistent or severe parental discipline, and a family history of alcohol or drug abuse. Individual risk factors include problems managing impulses, emotional instability, thrill-seeking behaviors, and perceiving the risk of using alcohol to be low. Girls who drink, as well as teens who begin drinking prior to the age of 14 years and those whose mothers have drinking problems, are more likely to develop alcoholism. Teen risk factors for alcoholism differ a bit between the 14- to 16-year-old and 16- to 18-year-old age groups, in that the latter tend to be less likely to drink in excess when they have a close relationship with their mothers.
Many substances can bring on withdrawal-an effect caused by cessation or reduction in the amount of the substance used. Withdrawal can range from mild anxiety to seizures and hallucinations. Withdrawal from alcohol can cause anxiety, irregular heartbeat, tremor, seizures, and hallucinations. In its severest form, withdrawal combined with malnutrition can lead to a life-threatening condition called delirium tremens (DTs). Alcohol is the most common cause of liver failure in the US. The drug can cause heart enlargement and cancer of the esophagus, pancreas, and stomach. In addition to its direct health effects, officials associate alcohol abuse with nearly half of all fatal motor vehicle accidents. In 1992, the total economic cost of alcohol abuse was estimated at $150 billion.
The management of alcohol withdrawal through detoxification is an incredibly important initial intervention for a significant number of alcohol dependent people. The objective of alcohol withdrawal is maintaining some comfort as the alcoholic goes through the early stages of treatment, the prevention of treatment complications, and preparing the individual for alcohol rehabilitation. The successful management of alcohol withdrawal is an important aspect of preparing an individual for subsequent efforts at alcohol rehabilitation. Social detoxification which involves the nonpharmacological treatment of alcohol withdrawal has also been shown to be effective. This involves frequent reassurance, reality orientation, personal attention, monitoring of vital signs and general nursing care. Social detoxification is most appropriate for individuals with mild to moderate alcohol withdrawal symptoms. Many individuals have significant medical problems associated with alcoholism which substantially complicate therapy, so it is absolutely essential that therapists refer those individuals whose conditions require medical management.
Related Tags: health, self improvement, alcohol, drinking, stop drinking, sobriety, sober, halt drinking, drinking guide, stress improvement
Ever wondered how you can stop your drinking issue, Now you can, start a new road to health by looking at how to stay sober Click here to get your own unique version of this article. Your Article Search Directory : Find in Articles
Recent articles in this category:
- Understanding The Home Made Wine Making Method
Many people love to sample different types of wine, but sometimes, you just can not find one you rea - How The Internet Can Help You Choose The Perfect Wines With Confidence
How do you choose the right wine for a special occasion without being bamboozled by wine merchants o - An Elegant, Thoughtful And Elite Wine Gifts - Perfect For All Occasion
Wine gifts are considered as 1 of the best presents for men. They come in a selection of tastes, vin - London Bars
An ultimate London experience surely includes catching a glimpse of the Buckingham Palace, strolling - Vinotemp Vt-28teds Thermo Electric Digital 28 Bottle Wine Chiller
If you are looking to buy a freestanding wine cooler to house your tasty wine collection or perhaps - Haier 6 Bottle Wine Fridge - Small And Compact!
You all know the old saying that good things come in small packages, well it is true with this space - Vinturi Essential Wine Aerator - Does It Improve The Taste Of Your Wine?
The Vinturi Essential Wine Aerator is a must have for any wine lover or avid enthusiast. Every wine - New World In More Ways Than One - The Universe Of Wine Online
What is wine? The distilled and matured juice of grapes. It's also, according to the aficionado (of - Alcohol Free Wine! Explore The Great Discovery
Alcohol free wine is quite healthier just like its traditional counterpart, rich in minerals and vit - Haier Wine Cooler Refrigerators - For Storing Wine
You will find many people around always complaining about the problem of storing their wine. So answ
Most viewed articles in this category:
- 6 Benefits to Making Your Own Wine
Ever thought what benefits you can reap by making your own homemade wineMaking wine is an art that i - HomeMade Wine Making-Some Things You Might Not Know
As wine has become more popular in the United States and growing steadily every day, there has been - What Do You Need A Wine Bottle Rack For?
There are increasing numbers of wine lovers each year globally; in fact on a noticeable level even d - A Wine Rack Cabinet As An Addition To Your Home
The art of decoration has taken on a life of its own, inspiring a host of books and reality televisi - Break Up Your Winter Reds With An Elegant White Burgundy
If you are like me, you ate a little too much this holiday season and you made a resolution to shed - Brunello Fans Meet Your New Spanish Favorite
f you have been following our newsletters - and we hope you have - we recently featured a fantastic - Spinetta's Finest Baby Barolo Yet
Last week we were at a blind tasting in Manhattan which featured wines from Piedmont, Italy. Out of - Spring Mountain Vineyard
Spring Mountain, a hilly sub-district of Napa, is no exception producing unique and exceptional Cali - To Really Enjoy Superb Wine - Top-up with NAD
When an alcoholic beverage is swallowed, it passes through the stomach into the small intestine wher - I Love Italian Wine and Food - Aosta Valley Region, Piedmont Wine
If you are looking for fine Italian wine and food, consider the Aosta Valley region of northern Ital