Over 17 million Americans suffer from an alcohol abuse disorder, most of which is alcoholism. (NIH, 2014) It is reported that over 15% of those 17 million people never seek treatment for their disorder. Those who do find themselves faced with the task of beating their alcohol abuse disorder are faced with many options as far as treatment goes. One of the most medically controversial is Disulfiram (Antabuse). This medication reacts negatively with alcohol and will send the person’s body into a state of turmoil to hopefully combat their severe drinking problem. As every medication does, Antabuse has its few problems here and there, but overall, this treatment seems to be an extremely effective way to rid those of alcohol abuse disorders.
Being the first medication to be approved by the FDA to fight against alcoholism, Antabuse took those suffering by storm and sent their bodies into a state of shock. Antabuse reacts with alcohol and affects the body’s central nervous system (CNS) by not being able to metabolize the acetaldehyde. (SAMHSA, 2009) Antabuse can also be considered an anti-craving medication because it increases dopamine and decreases norepinephrine in the body, reducing cravings to drink alcohol. (Vaccari et. al. 1996) The Antabuse/Alcohol reaction kicks in 10-30 minutes after the alcohol is consumed. (SAMHSA, 2009) Depending on how much alcohol is consumed, the severity of the reaction will differ. BACs of 5-10 mg will result in a mild reaction, where as BACs of 125 mg or more, the reaction could leave the patient unconscious. The Antabuse/Alcohol reaction can cause several different types of symptoms including; sweating, hyperventilation, blurred vision, nausea/vomiting, heart palpitations, confusion, and total body...
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...e backing them up. Antabuse treatment is only effective when used correctly and continuously so if the patient is incapable of either of those, they may be more suited for another kind of alcoholism treatment.
Some may argue that the reactions caused by Antabuse are too harsh for any patient to endure when trying to beat their alcoholism disorder. Other studies show that Antabuse alone, or even better, with another type of therapy has some of the highest rate of abstinent days. For some people it can take the shock of stomach pains or light-headedness to show them the reality of the disease they have. The guidelines for prescribing Antabuse are strict, keeping it from getting into the wrong hands of someone who may not be able to handle its effects. All in all, Antabuse is a great tool to help those in need fight their alcoholism disorder to complete abstinence.
According to Sheila L. Videbeck a nursing professor at Des Moines Area Community College in Ankeny, Iowa “alcohol is a central nervous system depressant that is absorbed rapidly into the bloodstream.” Many patients that attend alcohol anonymous meetings are those that have been drinking alcohol for a long period of time, and cannot seem to quit on their own without any help. Some common side effects of drinking alcohol long term include cardiac myopathy, Wernicke’s encephalopathy, korsakoff’s psychosis, pancreatitis, esophagitis, hepatitis, cirrhosis, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, and ascites. Signs and symptoms of alcohol withdrawal usually being 4-12 hours after the last drink, or after a major reduction in alcohol intake. Many patients have to be put on drugs to help them cope with the withdrawal symptoms. Most patients are prescribed benzodiazepines to suppress the withdrawal symptoms. Treatment of alcohol i...
Doctors Peter Johnson and John Chappel believe that AA is not considered self-help and by contributing to the 12-step process as doctors the program experience will be enhanced. Self-help programs are considered to be a form of therapy used to better oneself without scientific research supporting the success rate and usually attended without a physician’s input. The support shown for programs like AA is attributed to the abundant success rate they found when a doctor takes some minimal preparation for the patient. These preparations include such tasks as locating the closest meeting and the type of meeting the patient would prefer. The person who is suffering normally takes on these tasks; if discouraged at this point faith in the program may be ceased. They state in the article, ”AA is more important over the long term than professional treatment.” (Johnson, Chappel.1994) The article shows effective guidelines for professionals in the treatment of addiction. We know that AA predates the American Medical Associations’ ruling that alcohol addiction (along with other addictions) is a disease. We know from experience, either personal or second-hand, that addiction can not be cured without intervention of some kind – with the help of a professional and others’ suffering it can. Is that enough of a scientific approach to rely on a group-help program? – Dr. Jarlais does not think so.
AA’s founder Bill Wilson asserted that alcoholism is a spiritual disease with only one cure., AA believes that the one and only cure is by following, and living by the 12 step program. Alcohol Anonymous 12-step program derived from this type of thinking and from the very beginning, new members are taught that they are absolutely powerless to alcohol, and that the only way for you to be cured is for “a power greater than yourself could restore you to sanity”. AA members separate themselves from the rest of society, and attribute their drinking problems to every other aspect of their lives. There is a list of contributing factors to an individual’s disease, published by Bill Wilson. The list is roughly 25 aspects of every alcoholic’s life but Alcohol is never listed because in Mr. Wilson’s eyes it’s not the alcohol that is the problem. Instead it is the individual that has become a victim to the alcohol.
Overcoming an addiction to alcohol can be a long and bumpy road. Many people feel that it is impossible to overcome an alcohol addiction. Many people feel that is it easier to be an addict than to be a recovering addict. However, recovering from alcoholism is possible if one is ready to seek the help and support they need on their road to recovery. Recovery is taking the time to regain one’s normal mind, health and strength. Recovery is process. It takes time to stop the alcohol cravings and pressure to drink. For most, rehab and professional help is needed, while others can stop drinking on their own. Recovery never ends. After rehab, professional help or quitting on your own, many people still need help staying sober. A lot of time, recovering
There are many options for substance addiction treatment and utilizing medication as a means of eliminating substance use is one that has been called a double edge sword. There are two schools of thought with medically assisted treatment. First, let 's define medication assisted treatment (MAT): “it is the use of pharmacological medications, in combination with counseling and behavioral therapies, to provide a “whole patient” approach to the treatment of substance use disorders. Research indicates that a combination of medication and behavioral therapies can successfully treat substance use disorders, and for some people struggling with addiction, MAT can help sustain recovery” (Watkins, 2016). One side of this treatment option is that it provides that extra little nudge to start recovery with less or more withdrawal symptoms. For example, disulfiram is an alcohol aversion agent, that when taken with alcohol the person becomes very ill (Watkins, 2016). There are also other medications that help with reducing symptoms of withdrawal, such as methadone.
Furthermore, each alternative has its advantages and disadvantages. Trying to solve this problem completely alone is probably the worst solution. A person receives no outside support or help. A rehabilitation/recovery center is expensive but provides strict daily routine and continuous professional guidance and support. The patient is away from family and his normal life; therefore, he may resort back to alcohol when he is back in the "real world".
Arias, M.D., A. J., & Kranzler, M.D, H. R. (n.d). Treatment of co-occurring alcohol and other drug Use disorders. Retrieved from http://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/arh312/155-167.htm
Alcohol is the most commonly used addictive substance in the US. One in every 12 adults suffers from alcohol abuse. Alcohol addiction is very common in modern ...
Alcoholism is a disease in which the drinking of alcohol becomes uncontrollable. Compulsion and craving of alcohol rules the life of the alcoholic. Many of us drink alcohol to socialize which is not alcoholism. An alcoholic is a frequent habitual user. Alcohol, a central nervous system depressant, dulls the senses especially vision and hearing. Signs of alcoholism are tremors, delirium, inability to concentrate and many others. “According to the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, more than 13 million Americans abuse alcohol”(Mayo Clinic Health Information 1). There are many causes leading an individual to alcoholism. Alcohol damaging effects are physically, psychologically, and socially devastating.
The ingestion of alcoholic beverages for their enjoyable effects is a custom which has been around for thousands of years, and alcohol continues to be a popular drug because of its short-term effects (Coleman, Butcher & Carson, 1984). An enormous amount of damage can be attributed directly to alcohol abuse as a result of lost jobs, accidents caused by drunk drivers, and so forth (Maltzman, 2000). Alcohol also compounds other problems--an estimated 25% to 40% of hospital patients have problems caused by, or recovery delayed by alcohol abuse (Maltzman, 2000). Clinical psychologists spend about one-fourth of their time dealing with people who are suffering in part from alcohol or other substance problems (Vaillant, 1995). Although alcohol problems have been around for so long, it is only recently that these problems have begun to be associated with medical or psychological difficulties.
Drug and alcohol abuse has become a worldwide epidemic within today’s society. The battle against drugs and alcohol is not going to diminish. Therefore, we as a society need to work together to address these problems while incorporating successful treatment plans and services for these individuals. The addiction to these substances does not only effect oneself, but can also have profound consequences for the children and families.
Both of these criteria are the core to modify many habit loops and they play a fundamental role in changing a habit. First, in order to quit drinking, the alcoholics must believe that it is possible for them to do so. A strong belief can empower anyone’s vision to get what they want easily. As written by Joyce Meyer, “Our thoughts fuel our actions”. How can change be made if their mind and words are filled with uncertainty and unbelief? That is why the alcoholic must believe that they can break their addiction. If they have a strong desire to quit drinking, and they believe they can achieve it, they will start taking a small step to make it happen. This is because their thought has derived the action towards achieving their goals. Next, support from people around them is also crucial for the alcoholics to quit drinking. A supportive surrounding can make the habit change stay longer or even make it permanent. When the alcoholics receive support from people they love, it will become easier for them to develop their resilience. They will try their best to not disappoint their loved ones. Support not only comes from family or friends but also from any support group that brings together alcoholics who want to stop their addiction. For example, recovery groups like Alcoholic Anonymous (AA) have accomplished their mission to help many alcoholics to stop drinking and
“Alcoholism (alcohol dependence) is a more severe pattern of drinking that includes the problems of alcohol abuse plus persistent drinking in spite of obvious physical, mental, and social problems caused by alcohol” (Ringold, M. S.). Alcoholism is a major social problem in today’s world. People can agree that alcoholism threatens the lives of the person and the people they care about. Alcohol is one of the drugs that have caused serious problems for the younger generation. Alcoholism is greatly influenced by peer pressure. To get stress out, sometimes an alcoholic will drink heavily. Alcohol consumption is associated with your health. Drinking heavily can be the cause for liver cancer. Also, you can be intoxicated and could be driving drunk
Alcoholism is of interest to many people in the world today. This paper examines what has recently been learned about alcoholism, especially how serious of a disorder it actually is. Some of the aspects that are explained are what exactly alcohol abuse involves, the negative effects alcohol has on the human body, and options for treatment.
Alcoholism is a disease that affects many people in the United States today. It not only affects the alcoholic, but also their family, friends, co-workers, and eventually total strangers. The symptoms are many, as are the causes and the effects.