Alcoholism a struggle in life where around the world many people must deal with every day. What is addiction and how does it affect the body? Although defined in many ways, it is believed by some that addiction is a disease of the brain that can cause a dependence upon or a continuing, compelling need to use a habit-forming substance despite harmful consequences and may also be characterized by the increasing need for more of the substance or activity in order to obtain the same effect. Many changes take place within a body that consumes high doses of alcohol which can sometimes have long lasting, permanent, or even detrimental effects. Many research studies on the topic of alcoholism continue to be performed as a means to benefit society as a whole and to give help for those individuals and families who are in desperate need. In order for the proper assistance to be developed for those with a need for treatment there is much that needs to be understood about the disease of alcoholism; at its most basic level, the cellular level. This is quite a task to be sure since we are all human beings and with much the same physiology, however, because of the subtle yet various differences in each of our body’s chemistry, as well as our social environments, this can make treatment that one person receives very different from the treatment of another. Therefore, determining the best possible treatments can be a challenge which is where research plays a very important part. The following choices of articles call attention to a few different kinds of detailed research and their discoveries made about alcoholism and its affect on the human body. It is this kind of information which allows physicians to come up with the best possible t...
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...96. American Psychological Association, 1089-2680/10/$12.00. doi: 10.1037/a0021526.
Kiefer, F., & Mann, K. (2005). New achievements and pharmacotherapeutic approaches in the treatment of alcohol dependence. European Journal of Pharmacology, 526(1-3), 163–171.
Schwabe, L., Dickinson, A., & Wolf, O. T. (2011). Stress, habits, and drug addiction: A psychoneuroendocrinological perspective. Experimental and Clinical Psychopharmacology, 19(1), 53–63. American Psychological Association, 1064-1297/11/$12.00. doi: 10.1037/a0022212 .
Tomberg, C. (2010). Alcohol pathophysiology: Circuits and molecular mechanisms. Journal of Psychophysiology, 24(4), 215–230. doi: 10.1027/0269-8803/a000035.
Tomberg, C. (2010). Categories of alcohol consumers: Definitions and criteria of alcohol addiction. Journal of Psychophysiology, 24(4), 213–214. doi: 10.1027/0269-8803/a000034.
All living units ranging from single cells and organs to entire organisms carry out homeostasis (source 1). Homeostasis refers to the ability of the body or a cell to seek and maintain a condition of stability within its internal environment when dealing with external changes. It is involved in the maintenance of the constant internal environment which includes the function of kidney, liver, skin and many organs. The abuse of drugs alters the body’s internal environment, causing a response in order to achieve homeostasis, this is via negative feedback. Modern lifestyle poses many pressures on human homeostasis responses due to the use of drugs in our society. Specifically, Alcohol, and its effect on the human homeostasis responses.
When alcohol is consumed, an enzyme called alcohol dehydrogenase metabolizes the alcohol to acetaldehyde at a rate of one standard drink per hour (Schuckit, 2009). After repeat exposures, tolerance may develop as a result of adaptational changes in the cells of the central nervous system (Merck, 1999). The increased tolerance may cause the patient to consume alcohol in greater quantities than before to achieve the same intoxicating effects. Alcoholics suffer dramatic long-term health damage. The most common forms of specific organ damage in alcoholics are cirrhosis, peripheral neuropathy, brain damage, a...
Lily, Henrietta M. and Harmon, Daniel E. Alcohol Abuse and Binge Drinking. New York: the Rosen Publishing Group Inc., 2012. Print.
In the disease of alcoholism, there are many psychological effects on the person. It can cause depression, anxi...
Sinha, R. (2009). Chronic Stress, Drug Use, and Vulnerability to Addiction. Annals of The New York Academy of Sciences, 1141, 105-130. doi:10.1196/annals.1441.030
As illustrated the model of drug abuse and the theories behind addiction are varied. There is no concrete reason for one person who drinks to become alcohol dependent versus the person who does not. Several factors contribute to why a person begins drinking and why they continue to do so despite reasons to stop. The case history exhibits a client with many risk factors associated with alcohol use and dependence.
Most alcoholics proceed to a stage where their brains or their bodies have been so harmed by alcohol that the effects persist even when they are not drinking. This stage may be reached...
Colker, A. C. (2004). Pharmacotherapy treatment of alcoholism and drug addiction: Overview and bibliography. Retrieved from http://www.ncsl.org/default.aspx?tabid=14417
Lash, S. J., Timko, C, Curran, G M., McKay, J R., Burden, J L.; (Jun, 2011). Psychology of Addictive Behaviors; Vol 25(2); 238-251. Doi: 10.1037/a0022608
"Alcoholism and the Brain: An Overview." Alcoholism and the Brain: An Overview. NIAAA, July 2004. Web. 19 Feb. 2014.
“For every family that is impacted by drugs, there are another 10 to 15 families impacted by alcohol abuse. It's a pretty big deal. We have a tendency to only look at part of the puzzle.” (Kevin Lewis). As a society we tend to categorize the severity of addiction in a way that drugs are the most dangerous and alcohol being just a problem. Because alcohol addiction can be a slow progressive disease many people don’t see it in the same light as drug addiction. An addiction to drugs is seen as being a more deadly and dangerous issue then that of alcohol because a drug addiction can happen more quickly and can kill more quickly. Alcohol is something that is easy to obtain, something that is found at almost every restaurant. People with an alcohol addiction can not hide from alcohol as easy as a drug addict. Approximately 7 million Americans suffer from alcohol abuse and another 7 million suffer from alcoholism. (Haisong 6) The dangers of alcohol affect everyone from children with alcoholic parents, to teenagers who abuse alcohol, then to citizens who are terrorized by drunk drivers.
The problem of alcohol abuse has been recognized for thousands of years, but only more recently have we begun to see alcohol addiction as a treatable disorder. According to the Classical Disease Model of `Alcoholism,' habitual use of alcohol can be identified as a disease. Webster's Dictionary defines the concept of `disease' as follows: "Any departure from health presenting marked symptoms; malady; illness; disorder." Therefore, as many occurrences of alcohol excess provoke such symptoms, it is somewhat understandable that `alcoholism' is classified as a disease. The Classical Disease Model appears to offer a hopeful option. Treatment and sobriety can allow people to lead fulfilling lives. Adjacent to the notion of alcoholism as personal failure or moral deterioration, the Classical Disease Model appears to be a more desirable concept as it provides a motive for the alcoholic to seek treatment and gain sympathy, minimizing personal guilt. As alcoholism is seen as a progressive and, to an extent, hereditary illness for which those afflicted are not accountable, victims avoid being ostracized from society (Jellinek, 1960). Labeling the problem as a `disease' allows the medical profession to take responsibility for the treatment of alcoholism, which puts the problem in a more favourable light than if it were in the hands of psychologists or social workers, thus detaching the stigma connected with the problem while it is put on a par with other diseases such as diabetes or cancer. However, critics of the Classical Disease Model believe stigma helps reduce alcohol problems and aids the alcoholic. Any effort to reduce the stigma which is faced by the alcoholic will reduce pressures to moderate consumption and could have the additional ...
Drinking alcohol is associated with many adverse health problems in the short and long-term. These include cancer, stroke, heart disease, miscarriage, premature birth and unintentional injuries. Despite the fact that alcohol brings many negative impacts, many people still choose to drink and do not overcome their drinking habit. They have been successfully seduced by alcohol until drinking has become their addiction. However, some of them try to quit drinking, but they still cannot break the addiction. Basically, quitting alcohol is difficult and almost impossible for them because of brain-craving, lack of belief and support, and weak willpower.
To understand alcoholism, it must first be understood what this affliction is dependent on. Alcohol is a substance that is made by the fermentation of fruits, grains, or miscellaneous other organic materials. The chemical, alcohol, is a depressant and acts on every cell in the human body. Due to this, the central nervous system, along with the pleasure centers of the brain, are affected resulting in a feeling of euphoria and a sense of well being. After repeated exposure, the brain becomes dependent on this drug to unburden itself whenever it feels the compulsion. Several factors that contribute to alcoholism are the individual’s psychology, genetics, culture, and the individual’s response to physical pain.
..., cancer, liver and pancreas disease etc. There are many factors why do people drink, such as: make friends, forget problems, to feel happy, to relax, to feel less anxious, to feel confident and the genes, in my opinion play the key role in this problem. Some people don’t realize that this is a big deal, the big problem until it’s late. Once someone tried alcohol and become dependent it is hard to realize that person needs help to stop it. Also drinking alcohol is closely linked with use of other drugs, legal and illegal. Smoking, drinking and drug taking often co-exist. I chose this article to review because I think it has good examples to show people what causes alcohol dependence and what conditions one can get if drinking alcohol often. People need to remember that we live ones and it is important to keep ourselves healthy and none of bad habits worth our life.