Category: Alcohol Abuse

Introduction

Alcoholism is considered one of the social problems of modern society. The excessive consumption of alcohol among individuals has adversely affected various families globally. Every day, alcohol users fail to realize the effects of drug abuse on themselves and their loved ones. The drug can be addictive and a threat to an individual’s life. People addicted to alcohol consumption typically suffer serious symptoms when attempting to cease from its consumption (Suzuki & Kober, 2018). Most countries worldwide have recognized the abuse of alcohol and other substances as a threat to social and economic growth. Though there are few recognizable positive effects of alcohol consumption, its negative effects go beyond these benefits.

Discussion

Alcohol is one of the oldest but still widely used drugs. The origin of alcoholic beverages can be traced back to prehistoric times when the ancient people discovered that fermentation could occur on any smashed sugar-containing food such as grapes (Hammoud & Jimenez-Shahid, 2019).

When such foods were left exposed to the air, yeast acted on the foods leading to their conversion to alcohol and carbon dioxide. People seemed to like the effects of alcohol and proceeded to produce it by purposely growing raw materials such as vines. Wines and beer played essential roles in the ancients’ religious functions. Alcohol was offered as a libation to accompany the deceased on their final journey. It was used in the rites of passage, marriage initiations, peacemaking ceremonies, and feats. Alcohol manufacturing and sales were already standard in the earliest civilization, commercialized, and regulated by the governments. In ancient Egypt, doctors prescribed drugs that included beer and wine.

Even though alcohol has been inappropriately abused recently, it is safe to say that the consumption of alcohol is both a tonic and poison, depending on the dose. Moderate alcohol drinking seems good for the circulatory system of the body. When consumed appropriately, alcohol reduces the risk of developing and dying heart disease and the risk of stroke and diabetes (Hammoud & Jimenez-Shahid, 2019). However, this should be accompanied by a healthy diet and physical exercise.

Legally, the minimum drinking age for alcohol users should be 21 years. However, this varies depending on various states and their laws. Most countries around the world prohibit the sale of alcohol to persons under the age of 18 as they are considered vulnerable to addiction. Men and women are advised to drink no more than 14 units of alcohol every week to help keep the health risks as low as possible (Roozen & Smith, 2022).

In the United States, individuals are not allowed to take home more than two units of alcohol daily. Excessive consumption of alcohol has very adverse effects on the health of its users. It damages the liver and heart and harms an unborn child in expectant mothers (Hammoud & Jimenez-Shahid, 2019). Excessive consumption of alcohol causes cancer of the mouth, breast, liver, esophagus, and rectum. The risk is enormous for drinkers who do not have a balanced diet. Research has it that excessive alcohol consumption is the cause of half of the fatal road accidents in the United States (Roozen & Smith, 2022). Abuse of alcohol may also lead to depression and even death of individuals.

Various laws have been put in place to ensure that the consumption of alcohol is regulated. A combination of state and local laws helps shape the manufacture, sale, consumption, and treatment of alcohol-related problems. For instance, people under 21 years old are prohibited from taking alcohol in the United States. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (BATF) licenses importers, manufacturers, and wholesalers and regulates the advertising, size of containers, and labeling of alcoholic beverages. In India, several states prohibit the sale and consumption of alcohol (Roozen & Smith, 2022). There is a partial ban on alcohol in some districts of the Manipur state in the country.

Alcohol use disorder is a medical condition that occurs when one drinks too much alcohol, which can cause distress and harm. This condition varies depending on how much alcohol one takes per unit. Many people prefer 28-day inpatient rehab to treat the condition; however, other better methods are recommended medically (Suzuki & Kober, 2018). These methods include; detoxification and withdrawal that is medically managed, psychological counseling, oral medications using disulfiram, and injection of Vivitrol, a version of the drug naltrexone, that is injected once a month by a health care professional.

Conclusion

There are many reasons why most young people end up in drug and substance addiction, and the impacts are incredibly damaging. The effects of alcohol consumption pose a massive problem in today’s world. Therefore, it is essential to spread awareness about alcoholism and its mental health consequences. People with this addiction problem must see doctors and seek help from those close to them. Government and non-governmental organizations must now recognize this issue’s sensitivity and employ efficient ways to curb its spread. The youths are the most vulnerable group to fall into drug and substance abuse effects due to the various social problems they face in life (Suzuki & Kober, 2018). They should therefore be educated on the better ways to handle problems such as loneliness, fear, anxiety, and heartbreak other than drug and substance consumption.

References

Hammoud, N., & Jimenez-Shahed, J. (2019). Chronic Neurologic effects of alcohol. Clinics in Liver Disease, 23(1), 141-155. Web.

Roozen, H. G., & Smith, J. E. (2022). Substance-related and addictive disorders: First wave case conceptualization. Behavior Therapy, 525-561. Web.

Suzuki, S., & Kober, H. (2018). Substance-related and addictive disorders. APA handbook of psychopathology: Psychopathology: Understanding, assessing, and treating adult mental disorders (Vol. 1), 481-506. Web.

Brian Johnson is a 21-year-old college student who attends the university counseling center for an evaluation. He was referred by his past advisor, who caught him intoxicated on several occasions within the past month. The young man has failed to attend multiple classes due to his hangover. Recently, Brian Johnson received a ticket for being drunk in public. To assess the issue, an alcohol screening tool called AUDIT will be used.

This alcoholism evaluation method consisting of ten items is required for reviewing three crucial aspects: alcohol-related problems, consumption and adverse psychological reactions. AUDIT has been widely supported by a number of groups, including college students (Villarosa-Hurlocker et al., 2020). The frequency of alcohol use disorders among college students emphasizes the need for tools similar to AUDIT. This screening tool is respected due to its accuracy in discovering issues similar to Brian’s.

AUDIT has some rather important requirements that sometimes may be a flaw, which includes long-term assessment and a large number of tools used for it. However, it might be an advantage for Brian, as it can provide a more thorough observation of Brian’s AUD (alcohol use disorder). Moreover, there are some hints that imply that this method can be used to review an individual’s genetic risk for AUDs (Lange et al., 2019). This tool, in turn, could provide some extra explanations for Brian’s drinking and help determine whether he was genetically predisposed to the condition.

AUDIT may help provide professionals with more detailed information on Brian Johnson’s case. The amount of time and the number of items required for it will guarantee a more detailed assessment of the young man’s alcoholism. Moreover, it may help detect the risk of AUDs in certain individuals. Since Brian already has an AUD, AUDIT may help define whether genetics could have been a factor in his case or not. Thus, AUDIT happens to be the most suitable tool for reviewing Johnson’s case.

References

Lange, S., Shield, K., Monteiro, M., & Rehm, J. (2019). Facilitating screening and brief interventions in primary care: A systematic review and meta‐analysis of the AUDIT as an indicator of alcohol use disorders. Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, 43(10), 2028-2037.

Villarosa-Hurlocker, M. C., Schutts, J. W., Madson, M. B., Jordan, H. R., Whitley, R. B., &Mohn, R. C. (2020). Screening for alcohol use disorders in college student drinkers with the AUDIT and the USAUDIT: A receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse, 46(5), 531-545.

Introduction

Traffic accidents, cardiovascular diseases, divorce, dysfunctional families have one contributory factor in common; alcoholism. Alcoholism is a condition in which a person finds himself or herself addicted or dependent on alcohol. It does not necessarily manifest in obvious ways, but the person loses control over their consumption of the substance.

It has health, social, emotional, physical and psychological ramifications in the alcohol abuser’s life as well as the people around him or her. Since this issue has an adverse impact on society’s well being, then one must analyze its cause. Every person must take responsibility for his actions, and alcoholism is a result of those choices.

Overview/history of alcoholism

The problem of alcoholism started in Ancient Egypt, where individuals took beer in excess. Historical evidence indicates that even the Romans dealt with alcohol-abuse complications like liver inflammation. In the United States, alcohol consumption was a controversial issue among the settlers.

Initially, pilgrims regarded it as a valuable commodity because it was not as susceptible to contamination as water. However, after the establishment of the colony, alcoholism became a problem. During the American Revolution and the civil war the issue turned into a debacle.

The first attempt to tackle the problem was in the 1920s when the government passed the prohibition Act. However, underground establishments flourished leading to a repeal of the legislation. In those times, alcoholics were treated as immoral, degenerate and even wicked persons. Currently, some people still hold this view although many also acknowledge that no one sets out to become an alcoholic.

Current issues related to alcoholism

In the news, one is likely to read about an accident that caused the death or dilapidation of several individuals. Drunk driving is one the most significant causes of death. Therefore, the media attributes such devastating losses to the problem of alcoholism. In these traffic accidents, one often learns that the people involved may not walk again or may not function properly.

For instance, the Chicago Tribune reported that a Romeoville woman killed an innocent bystander because she was driving under the influence of alcohol. The victim’s family was devastated by the loss because Marke Bajson (the victim) was a strong, influential and lively person (Meisner 16).

Sometimes the media highlights cases of high-profile individuals who separate or divorce from their spouses because of the problem of alcoholism. Many talented celebrities have failed to meet their family obligations because of these problems. The LA Times reported that artist Lindsay Lohan was arrested for drunk driving. She was forced into a therapeutic program where she spent weeks away from productive activities (Winton 4).

Why the problem is a big deal

Statistics from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism indicate that about 14 millions adults in the US are technical alcoholics. Approximately half of the American population is affected or has been affected by a family member who abuses alcohol.

The NIAAA estimates that the country looses $52 billion in damages caused by alcohol-related problems like road accidents, violent crime, and alcohol rehabilitation costs. In comparison to other addictive substances, the losses associated with alcoholism are three times as much as those linked to illegal drugs.

Continued abuse of alcohol leads to loss of productivity within the country. Statistics indicate that when individuals start overdrinking, they either lose employment or reduce their contribution to work. The country loses about $66.7 billion owing to these issues (National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism 55).

Underage alcoholism also has its own set of consequences. Research shows that approximately sixty percent of all alcoholics who failed to complete high school did so as a result of their dependence on the drug. Aside from inadequate education, alcohol abuse also leads to one hundred thousand deaths annually. The criminal justice system is overpowered by this problem since 38% of the offenders who committed the wrong were doing so under the influence of alcohol.

Alcoholism is not just a problem for society in general; it also affects the people who abuse it. For instance, people, who drink three or more drinks, put themselves at increased risk of health diseases. Some of the commonest ones include cancer, liver damage, cardiovascular diseases or even cancer. The World Health Organization reports that alcohol abuse is a causative factor for 60 different types of injuries and diseases.

The body recognizes alcohol as the primary risk factor for death amongst males (World Health Organization 4). This steams from cardiovascular complications, violence and death. Alcohol affects their social lives as some of them may exhibit unpredictable behavior. A number of them may become moody, violent and erratic. These individuals will neglect their responsibilities at home or in the workplaces thus putting themselves at risk of divorce or loss of their jobs.

Too much dependence on alcohol causes financial problems at home as an alcoholic’s finances are mostly used for the drug. The person may choose to purchase alcohol over food and thus suffer from malnutrition. Issues of chronic loss of sleep, weight, and memory are just some of the many effects of excessive alcohol consumption. Sometimes this may cause mental illnesses like anxiety and depression.

Emotional problems

Many people may suffer from sexual or physical abuse in their previous or present relationships. This may cause them to turn to alcohol as a way of neutralizing the problem. However, such an approach only works for a short amount of time because the problem they are trying to avoid will be replaced by their addictions (Institute of Alcohol Studies 11).

Sometimes people use drugs as a way of handling mental complications like depression or bipolar disorder. They may do so in order to feel normal; in such circumstances, alcohol becomes a form of medication to the abuser.

Coping mechanism

Some individuals lack social, communication, and assertiveness skills. Therefore, a number of them may use alcohol as a social lubricant to make them more sociable (Institute of Alcohol Studies 9). Others may lack the courage to speak to large groups of people or to certain individuals, and may consume alcohol in order to eradicate that fear.

Some individuals even claim that they think well when they are tipsy. However, with time, small doses of the beverage may increase and eventually spiral out of control. A person who uses alcohol as a coping mechanism also makes a conscious decision to do so.

Peer pressure

Many people attribute their drinking habit to peer pressure from friends in college or high school. The same may occur in the working population. It can start as a way of gaining acceptance among one’s peers or merely as a way of blending in. With time, the person starts to consume the beverage alone or in the absence of one’s peers. Peer pressure leads one to start the habit, and then the person complicates the problem even more (Institute of Alcohol Studies 13).

Alternative causes and objections

Some people believe that alcoholism is beyond the control of those who abuse it. They blame genetics for the issue, and assert that users are just predisposed to alcohol abuse. They cite occurrence of the problem among many members of the same family. This implies that uncontrollable forces may come into play.

Other persons also claim that alcoholics naturally lack self management skills. For instance, they do not know how to determining their limits or monitor their rate of consumption. This means that the problem is beyond their control.

Response to the objections

It may be true that alcoholism may be prevalent in some generations and not in others. However, no proof exists to predict whether one will abuse alcohol or not. Addictive tendencies may exist, but a person must activate them by making a choice to take alcohol or not. Even the quantity one consumes depends on these choices. Therefore, the problem is more dependent on one’s will rather than one’s biology.

Certain beliefs about oneself have the effect of causing alcohol abuse. If one thinks that they cannot control their frequency and amount of alcohol, then this is an attitudinal problem. Existence of cognitive therapy shows that drink-refusal skills can be taught, and they exist.

Conclusion

Evidence shows that most of the causes of alcoholism emanate from conscious choices. For instance, peer pressure is something within the control of the alcoholic. Therefore, a person has a choice to consume alcohol or not. Additionally, when alcohol is used as a remedy for mental or emotional problems, some unhealthy attitudes must be evoked by the abuser. Finally, alcohol as a coping mechanism, also involve conscious choices. Therefore, it can be treated using this approach.

Works Cited

Institute of Alcohol Studies. 2010. Alcohol problems, causes and prevention. Web.

Meisner, Jason. “Romeoville woman charged with DUI in fatal O’Hare crash.” Chicago Tribune. 2013: 16. Web.

National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. Drinking in the United States: Main Findings from the National Longitudinal Alcohol Epidemiologic Survey (NLAES). U.S. Alcohol Epidemiologic Data Reference Manual, Volume 6. Bethesda, MD: Author, 2006. Print.

Winton, Richard. “Lindsay Lohan’s last stint at Betty Ford Center was troubled.” Los Angeles Times. 2013: 4. Web.

World Health Organization. Global status report on alcohol and health. Le Mont-Sur-Lausanne, Switzerland, 2011. Web.

Experiences in life can be a painful and wisdom is to learn from our previous mistakes and to avoid them in future. Ken was a kind of guy you would love to hang out with, he was full of life. Suddenly Ken lost interest in life and alcoholism took centre stage, he started taking alcohol daily because of various reasons like he wanted to relieve stress of his marriage and abusing alcohol.

Ken was a favorite colleague at the place of work. Alcohol started affecting his health; he could not take food when sober. He missed coming to work affecting his day to day activities, and his behavior changed from being the gentleman he was to some ragged person.

Ken lost it, and everything fell apart, from his marriage; his wife Cindy filed for a divorce and sole custody of his two children, he was laid off and this predicament made him worse off than he was. It saddened my heart to see Ken get wasted, he become emaciated and lost hope in life.

I was the only family he had and he had to move in with me in my apartment. Ken would find it difficult to make eye contact and would withdraw in a room and be alone. He started behaving like a baby sulking if he doesn’t get his way, all this time I tried talking to him to register in a rehabilitation centre but to no avail. He started lying, stealing and this made me upset because I couldn’t take it anymore. I was beyond breaking point and I had to do something

One rainy evening I was watching a TV show and there was a lady narrating how drug abuse has caused her marriage, I was shedding tears not realizing my friend was also in the room. Ken got very emotional as he who at the very bottom. Ken had nothing and he was willing to try anything to put his life back together. For the first time after so many months Ken went to bed sober. We talked about the choices he had; either to choose to live, or choose to die. He chose to live.

Alcoholism is the most serious form of alcohol abuse. Once the drinker reaches Ken’s stage, serious treatment should be considered. We enrolled in a rehabilitation center for three months, the first step was for Ken to apologize to all his friends and family members for any harm he had done and it was very painful to watch him apologize to his family.

Am praying that his family will find it in their heart to forgive him. He was introduced to a sponsor, a person who was an alcoholic but has sobered up, it to mentor and walk with him .lastly he joined an Alcoholic Anonymous (AA) program that helped him in his recovery.

More people are dying of alcohol related deaths, families are disintegrating and the society is loosing morale standing because of alcoholism and it clearly shows the harmful effect of alcohol to an individual and a country as a whole.

Alcohol is a delicate subject, because you are affected emotionally, financially, seeing your loved one struggle with the ogre of alcoholism, or you are infected as an alcoholic. Alcohol is a disease that most people who have experienced alcoholism admit, it’s a disease that rarely goes away and needs ongoing treatment.

Introduction

Acceptance is a feeling that emerges from individual’s need for approval and acceptance. This behavioural pattern begins at an early age and continues although life to adulthood but it is at peak during teenage stage. The teenagers are in the process of emulating or declining the parental guidance since they need their freedom and at the same time are trying to win the parental support and acceptance. Their strong struggle to exist as part of a family thus increases the urgency for independent need for finding an identity. The quest for parental approval motivates the teenager behaviours.

Although parental pressure ought to be a positive influence over personality, it can negatively affect decision-making procedures and cause a teenager to settle for immoral activities including alcoholism in fight against an abusive or tough situation. When one accepts to put up with negative parental pressure such as alcoholism, they end up giving up the personal trusts and values, thus the pressure becomes a form of a negative force.

Thesis Statement

“Does alcoholism affect parental guidance?” This paper is an analysis of the effect of parental pressure regarding usage of alcohol and its effects as well as implication to the future life of a teenager. It is an analysis of the parental behavioural patterns and lastly it analyzes the available perspectives into controlling the vice.

Objective/significance of the study

The main objective of the paper focuses on causes of alcohol abuse among parents and evaluates the developmental problems associated with this type of vice. Another significance of the study focuses on the global approach towards curbing the vice and creating public awareness over alcoholism.

The paper also forms an analysis over issue of other probable cause in the subject matter. Are parents considering the appropriate measures to avoid the vice? The analysis of what determines alcoholisms. Lastly, it addresses the issue of utilizing the new professional suggested measures to getting rid of this common phenomenon.

Insinuations for understanding behaviour

In most cases, it would be invariable to have a linkage between development of the brain and the behaviours emulated by teenagers. Scientifically the argument over the link indicates that under high emotional or intense parental pressure, there are some conditions during maturity, that necessitate devastating inexplicable performance leading to poor decision making such as use of alcohol. (Marina and Fergal, 2006)

The teenagers have the ability and rationale to differentiate between the right and wrong. This is an indication that the brain has the capacity to demonstrate some mental ability to decision making, but the teenager acts in opposition to this expectations. According to Nestler and Malenka, (2004) the brains of a teenager is under some less optimal control mechanisms and thus under higher probability to act from guts or instincts when confronted with stressful or emotional strains.

Compared to adults, on average, the teenagers are more impetuous, insistent, volatile emotionally, high risk takers, proactive and reactive to strain or stress and are susceptible to parental pressure or guidance (Kane, 2009). Most parents focus on the short time thus underrating any long-term consequences that may be involved in alcoholism. They overlook the alternative course of actions.

The developing brain of a teenager

Young people are often curious about alcohol and thus the common definition of the teenage years being a time of experimenting and seeking novelty. Conducted survey indicates that abuse of alcohol and tobacco is a common phenomenon among most parents today (Marina and Fergal, 2006). As a result, at least half or more of the teenagers try out the alcohol during the teenager stage and nearly all have tried before reaching the legal age. These days the youth show higher rates of or percentage of alcohol problems as opposed to the older age groups. (Kane, 2009)

Vulnerability of teenagers to alcoholism

The teenager brain may be more vulnerable to social pressure or discomforts due to sensitivity. These social effects can bring about pleasurable social experiences such as alcohol engagement as they seek expectations. The effects of alcohol are enormous on teenagers compared to adults. In the studies of teenagers indicated by Partrick (2008), characteristically, teenagers are able to get through two or three times more alcohol than the adults because their intoxication effects are much higher. They have a diminished sensitivity to intoxication due to the high metabolic rates. The hormones also play a vital role in the alcohol abuse. The teenagers have novelty to seek and promote competitiveness socially. The production of hormones promotes abuse because of the original occurrence of parental pressure for the individual to seek social approval from the parent. (Partrick, 2008)

Teenagers’ growth and development

Expectations for growth and social, emotional, behavioural, physical and cognitive change is very important. Through analysis of some developmental life-span stages, there is a possibility of determining disorders or crisis brought about by alcoholic parents. There are unique kind of behavioural pattern to expect from teenagers thus the need to suggest developmental concerns and appropriate actions.

Human beings have to make decisions based on challenges at hand. The teenagers face many challenges such as inevitable physical changes and parental pressure especially over making decisions on impulsive activities. (Marina and Fergal, 2006) These transitional issues are of critical concerns regarding identity choices, self-esteem and emotional development. Their appearance to others is an important issue because they believe to own unique problems and all the public attention focuses particularly upon them.

They face the challenges of discovering their identity in terms of vocation, relationship, sexuality, gender, life interests, personality, culture and most importantly parental background (Marina and Fergal, 2006). Abusive parents cause conflicts, because of the need to find self-belonging and the desire for freedom especially during the emotionally stressing times. This is the main effect of alcohol abusive parents/guardians.

Parental pressure should serve the role of determining the right character in a person. This is arguably the reason why teenagers mimic parental lifestyles. Parental pressure is more often hard to resist because it is equally very hard to notice. Teenagers ought to know that personal choices are very important even when the parental pressure is irresistible.

The strongest predictor of alcohol usage during teenage years is the parental influence. The parent initiate the use, provides the alcohol and models the use and abuse behaviors and attitudes during growth. Studies have indicated that teens are more likely to give in to alcoholism usage if they were from alcoholic parents. (Marina and Fergal 2006) The parental pressure relates to modeling personality.

Conclusion

Social settings can give the impression that drug usage is under control but a closer look at the phenomenon indicates that everyday a teenager is starting to use and becomes addicted to the vice. Possibly the parental pressure involved in the family setup is greater for most of them to resist (Partrick, 2004). Today most of the parents are full-time employees probably looking for the overtime and better remuneration in support of the family. They may be trying to workout one area while the other collapses.

The answer to the problems associated with teenagers lies within the family setting. They are emulating their parents who are their first role models; they embrace the social settings of alcoholism and the solitary usage. Stressing parental abuse may also impact negatively on them.

Whichever the case, parents are the most effective cure to the vice. It is a parental responsibility to solve alcoholic problem and talk out with the teenage children on the dangers involved before things are out of hand. Their temporary rebellion against the parents can easily lead to the repercussions thus leading to the catastrophic impacts. The early interventions by the parents are thus the best procedures to cubing the vice. The strength of character that assists the child to resists the negative influences directly connects to the parental roles of guidance.

References

Partrick, B. J. (2008). Adolescents and Risk: Making Sense of Adolescents Psychology. Praeger Publishers

Marina, B. & Fergal, K. (2006). Drug Addiction and Families: Monitoring the Future National Survey results on drug use. Jessica Kingsley Publishers.

Nestler, E. J., and Malenka, R. C. (2004). The addicted brain. Scientific American Journal, 290 (3), 78-85.

Kane, R. (2009). Pleasure consuming medicine: The queer politics of drugs. Journal of Alcohol Health and Research World, Duke University Press. Vol 26(4), Pp. 287-291.

This video lecture explores negative impacts of alcoholism in family setting and especially among children. As a matter of fact, all family members are usually affected by excessive intake of alcohol. Furthermore, from the video, it is evident that those who abuse alcohol are likely to be addicted to the extent that they stop being productive both in society and at family level.

From the lecture, it is evident that individuals who grow in families with alcoholic members are highly likely to become alcoholic in future compared to their counterparts who have grown up in non-alcoholic environments (Oral History Video part 1).

Additionally, alcoholism can result into families being broken apart. For example, it is evident from the lecture video that the well being of a family is overly disrupted by alcoholism.

Moreover, children are likely to suffer from low esteem, chronic depression, loneliness, fear of being abandoned by their parents and to some extent; they feel guilty of their parental actions. This may also compel such affected children to end up in similar mess afterwards especially when they come of age.

Furthermore, alcoholism increases the aggressive behavior of parents as depicted in the video. Consequently, they may portray the same feelings towards their children. As such, heinous acts like homicide, rape as well as suicide may be occasioned by alcoholism. In other words, alcoholism is quite often responsible for violent acts that may completely tear down family set up.

From the video lecture, I have learnt that children who are older are likely to be impacted negatively by their parents’ behavior. For instance, they have higher tendencies of demonstrating signs of depression, being too self conscious in addition to withdrawing from their friends and society at large.

On the same note, the environment created at home is likely to deter such children and other members of the family from either studying or being productive in their places of work. In situations whereby one of the parents is alcoholic while the other is not, alcoholism is likely to impact negatively on the other spouse who is non-alcoholic.

A spouse may also withdraw from social setting in addition to developing feelings of hatred and self pity. This can be as a result of abusive behavior of an alcoholic partner. As a result, a parent who is non-alcoholic may lack consistency, become too compelling or even end up withdrawing parental care from their children.

Moreover, children from alcoholic families may also develop indecent behavior compared to their counterparts from families which are non-alcoholic. This may be attributed to the fact that family environment lacks intellectual orientation, expressiveness, cohesion and independence as compared to their counterparts who hail from non-alcoholic backgrounds. In addition, children from alcoholic families often blame themselves and use alcoholism as scapegoat. This may lead to trouble with authority at school.

Children may also undergo emotional and behavioral problems. Therefore, it is important to assist them through psychological counseling. According to the speaker in the video lecture, families trapped in alcoholism require treatment and counseling just like alcoholic individuals. Most importantly, society should recognize that children from these families are in need of help.

Finally, from the video I have come to the realization that it is indeed important for alcoholic parents to seek help before their conditions get out of control. Hence, this video is highly recommendable to children who sojourn in alcoholic families, alcoholic parents, school counselors and other vulnerable members of society such as young people.

Works Cited

Oral History Video. Effects of alcoholism on children: an oral history video. 2010. Web.

The Selective Addictive Nature of Alcohol

Alcoholism has been misunderstood by people as a moral or emotional weakness. It is believed that people succumb to alcoholism because they have psychological and emotional problems that they want to escape from or relieve. People believe that alcoholism is caused by all kinds of social problems such as marital problems and death of loved ones.

However, the truth of the matter is that everyone has the same psychological and emotional problems. And most people will drink to escape these problems. The fact is that even as majority of the people are influenced to drink alcohol by emotional problems, not all of them will become alcoholics. Physiological factors in a man causing vulnerability towards alcohol are what will determine which person will become alcoholic not psychological factors (Milam and Ketcham, 12).

However, once the person is an alcoholic, he is unable to handle his problems well. The alcohol further aggravates his emotions leading him to feel fearful and depressed in exaggerated proportions whether he is in a drunken state or not. They are some myths on alcoholism that must be disregarded for the alcoholics to be correctly assisted by the medical experts.

First of all alcohol consumption affects people differently. It does not have the same effect on everyone. Secondly, not anyone can get addicted to alcohol even if they take the drug for a long time. It is a selectively addictive drug. It is only a minority of users who get addicted to the alcohol. It therefore does not appear in the category of addictive drugs in the WHO guidelines.

For most people, alcohol is a harmless social drink. There is also the myth that alcohol addiction is psychological. The truth of the matter however is that addiction is primarily physiological. There are people’s whose body is unable to process the alcohol normally. Alcoholics have a liver malfunction that causes a buildup of acetaldehyde throughout the body.

The acetaldehyde reacts with the brain amines to produce isoquinolines which trigger the urge to drink more and more alcohol to combat the excess production of acetaldehydes in the body. Secondly, studies have shown that alcoholism is hereditary. Children of alcoholics have a higher tendency of becoming alcoholics whether they are raised by their alcoholic parents or non-alcoholic relatives.

There is even the aspect of ethnic vulnerabilities to alcoholism. Jews and Italians have lower rates of alcoholisms than the Native Americans. This is because the number and variety of the alcohol dehydrogenate liver enzyme varies from one race to another. Furthermore the longer an ethnic group has been exposed to alcohol, the lower their vulnerability to alcohol.

Jews and Italians have been exposed to alcoholic drinks for over 7000 years while the Native Americans have been exposed to alcohol for only 300 years. Intermarriage within the different races also influences the susceptibility to alcohol. The alcoholics cannot cease to be alcoholics by simply limiting the amount of alcohol that they take.

The smaller amounts of alcohol taken will only go to reactivate his addiction. The society believes that if a person would only drink responsibly, then he would not become an alcoholic. The fact of the matter is that there are many responsible people who have become alcoholics.

The Effects of Alcohol

There is the belief that alcohol is primarily a sedative and depressant drug. The effect of the drug however depends on the amount that is consumed. When small portions are taken, the drug is a stimulant. The consumption of alcohol in small doses causes increase in heart rate, blood flow and the transmission of nerve impulses.

The individual’s performance on solving complex tasks is improved. The concentration level and creativity thinking is heightened. It is only when taken in large amounts that the drug acts like a depressant. At this point a person will avoid drinking because he does not want to experience nausea and other similar sensations.

For the alcoholics though they can take higher amounts of alcohol before they start experiencing discomfort. They have an increased tolerance to the alcohol. Nevertheless whether the dug is taken in small or large doses, the alcohol is a source of high amounts of calories and energy for the individual.

Medical experts believe that the alcohol is poisonous and dangerous. To the alcoholic, alcohol actually works as a medicine for the pain it creates for the individual. It gives the alcoholic relief from the pain of withdrawal leaving him feeling energetic and stimulated.

The Stages of Alcoholism

Alcoholism occurs in stages. In the early stages, the body adapts and builds tolerance. He does not feel sick and no one suspects a thing. The cells in the central nervous system change their functioning to accommodate the high levels of alcohol in the body. If he stops drinking the cells suffer distress showing the person’s dependence on the alcohol.

He then suffers withdrawal. If the alcoholic stops drinking he will experience acute withdrawal after a few days and the protracted withdrawal symptoms if he abstains from alcohol for months and years. In the acute withdrawal period, the person’s body reacts violently since the cells are addicted to the alcohol.

The person will experience hallucinations, mental confusion, memory defects, convulsions, paranoia, violent behavior and convulsions. The protracted withdrawal symptoms include loss of control, malnutrition, hypoglycemia and Autonomic Nervous system disorder. There are symptoms of alcoholics in the early stages such as greater tolerance for alcohol and growing preoccupation with alcohol.

In the middle stages the penalties of drinking alcohol become higher than the benefits achieved with drinking alcohol. The alcoholic craves for alcohol and does not realize the damage to his organs till it becomes full blown in the later stages. He will start sneaking or hiding drinks at the workplace or home. He may drink before a party to loosen up and hide his desire for more alcohol.

He will gulp the first drinks and show signs of loss of control. He will have mood swings, blackouts, loss of self-respect, remorse, guilt and personality changes. He will tend to isolates himself and have a lot of self-pity. The family tends to seek psychotherapy help for him that does not help. Social and professional interactions at home and work deteriorate as his disease starts showing.

His body soon starts rejecting food and his sexual performance dips. At the deteriorating stage of alcoholism, the person’s organs have been severely damaged. The physical health of the individual has deteriorated and he may die from heart failure, liver disease, cancer, respiratory disease and pancreatic.

The alcoholic at this stage will take morning drinks, exceed his tolerance level getting drunk and have prolonged binges. He may get hospitalized, attempt to kill himself or get arrested for drunk driving. He may end up becoming financially dependent on his family having lost his job.

He will prefer to drink with inferiors in seedy locations due to fear of becoming recognized by someone. He may start experiencing paranoia, vague religious or spiritual desires. The alcoholic is unable to stop because the disease does not allow him to see that he is addicted till in the last stages when it is too late.

The Correct Treatment of Alcoholism

Anyone interested in helping an alcoholic should do several things. He should learn about the disease, avoid moral judgment and develop an emotional detachment in the situation. The person should pick a treatment program with detoxification, professional counseling, nutritional and AA aspects to help the alcoholic maintain soberness.

The family also needs help in the convincing the alcoholic to agree on treatment. The family, the employer and the family doctor may all get involved in confronting the alcoholic. The alcoholic must submit to the program, understanding the disease and stay committed to the treatment.

Effective treatment needs to take place in a medical environment so that the medical staff can adequately treat the withdrawal symptoms. The patient will be given nutrients, fluids and adequate rest with medical intention. There are medical experts who believe that if an alcoholic takes three balanced meals a day, his nutritional requirements will be fulfilled.

However, an alcoholic requires additional supplements of vitamins and minerals for his nutritional deficiencies to be met. The amount of calories one gets from alcohol causes him to require lesser calories from other foods which are more nutritious. Furthermore it inhibits the body from absorbing valuable vitamins from the gastro-intestinal tract. There are also a lot of vitamins that are released by the alcoholic through urine.

The alcoholic therefore ends up being malnourished. The use of psychotherapy does not help the alcoholic at all either. Psychotherapy only makes the alcoholic feel more ashamed and guilty. Furthermore the use of this treatment method diverts the attention from the physical causes of the disease.

There are people who believe that the alcoholics should desire help in order to be helped. However the alcoholics do not want to be helped. The issue is that the alcoholics are very sick people. They cannot reason in a rational manner neither can they stop alcohol consumption by themselves.

The alcoholics have to be forced into treatment. It is only as the treatment progresses that the alcoholic gets the self-motivation to stop drinking. In the phase 2 of the treatment, the alcoholic learns about the disease and abstaining from alcohol. To help the alcoholics, people must let go of the prejudices and treat it like a disease.

Works Cited

Milam, James and Ketcham, Katherine. Under the Influence: A Guide to the Myths and Realities of Alcoholism. New York: Bantam. 1984. Print.

Introduction

Alcoholism is a compulsive disorder due to the addictive effects it has on alcoholics. It is a deteriorative disorder characterized by addiction, lack of self-control, distorted thinking, and tolerance to alcohol. Alcoholism claims 100,000 lives annually and this is an alarming figure for the involved parties to ignore. About 9% of adults in the United States are alcoholics while about 43% of adults are under a given stress related problem due to friends and family members who consume alcohol.

Moreover, the cost of dealing with alcoholism is rising sharply compared to that of other killer causes like obesity and cancer. “Alcoholism improves a drinker’s odds of developing cancer of the throat, larynx, liver, colon, kidneys, rectum, and esophagus … it may also contribute to immune system irregularities, brain damage, harming an unborn baby, and cirrhosis of the liver” (Walker, 2004, p. 1).

In spite of severe criticism, the American Medical Association classifies alcoholism as a disease because it affects the health of its consumers. The devastative health effects of alcohol prove that alcoholism is a disease and not a self will habit.

Physical Effects

Alcoholism as a disease has serious physical effects to the body because it affects organs and systems such as the liver, the heart, and the nervous system amongst other critical organs in the body. Since alcohol has the potential to cause complication in the body system, liver is one of the crucial organs affected by alcohol because it functions in the metabolism of alcohol in the body. Absorbed alcohol from the stomach immediately goes into the liver for further metabolism since liver is a detoxifying organ in the body.

“The amount of alcohol ingested, independent of the form in which it is ingested, is the most important risk factor for the development of alcoholic liver disease” (Robert & Arthur, 2010, p. 309). Toxic nature of alcohol causes alcoholic liver diseases such as liver cirrhosis, alcohol hepatitis, alcohol fatty liver, and hepatomegaly. In this case, alcoholism is a disease that affects major functions of the liver because of the many complications associated with it.

Alcoholism can cause complications in the heart that regulates all cardiovascular functions. Alcoholics have high risks of developing diseases such as cardiomyopathy, palpitations, dilations of the blood vessels and anemia.

According to Robert and Arthur, “alcoholism affects the pumping mechanism of the heart and slow down the rate of blood flow to the vital organs like lungs, heart and kidney” (2010, p. 312). Dilation of blood vessels and palpitations of the cardiac muscles cause cardiomyopathy that eventually leads to the heart attack or heart failure. Therefore, alcoholism is a disease that threatens proper functioning of the heart.

Consumption of alcohol also causes serious effects to the nervous system. The effects of alcoholism on the nervous system are evident as alcoholics show characteristics such as loss of memory, frequent seizures, tremor, peripheral neuropathy, insomnia, ataxia, hallucinations, and delirium among other neural disorders. Alcohol thickens neurons and slows transmissions of impulses between the central nervous system and peripheral nervous system, thus affecting the functioning of the brain.

Robert and Arthur argue that alcohol cause deficiency of vitamin B “…leading to impaired production of the enzymes needed for maintaining the covering of the nerve cells and this loss causes destruction of nerve cells which results in tingling and numbness, as well as muscle weakness” (2010, p. 313). For this reason, alcoholism paralyses the nervous system showing that it is a disease of the nervous system.

Predisposing Factors

Individuals fall into the trap of alcoholism after predisposition by family members or friends who are alcoholics. The continued exposure to alcohol or alcoholics results into psychological temptation to indulge in drinking alcohol and alcoholism as disease begins to develop. Alcoholism begins when an individual starts drinking alcohol occasionally for pleasure and continues into habitual drinking at certain time of the day or a given day of the week.

Eventually, an individual becomes an addict with the habit of drinking alcohol regularly as compulsive drinking leads to the disease of alcoholism. After becoming an alcoholic, an individual begins to lead a life of self-denial and loses control of his/her responsibilities at work place and in the family.

“Psychologically isolated, the alcoholic addictively reaches for what he or she considers as friend and source of stabilization – alcohol. This convoluted progression continues to spiral downward and out of control, leaving emotional trauma and estrangement of relationships in its path” (Walker, 2004.p. 7). Ultimately, alcoholism becomes a chronic disease that requires therapy for to recover fully.

Comparative genetic studies show a significant genetic relationship within alcoholics groups than between alcoholics and non-alcoholics. Research implicates genetic makeup as a predisposing factor leading to alcoholism. In adoption studies, adopted children of the alcoholics showed significantly higher level of addiction as compared to the adopted children of the non-alcoholics.

In twin studies, “monozygotic twins were approximately twice as likely to drink as dizygotic twins; among those who drank, monozygotic twins were more likely to have a similar frequency and quantity of alcohol consumption” (Walker, 2004, p. 11).

Therefore, these studies affirm that genetic makeup of an individual is a predisposing factor to alcoholism. However, confounding studies have shown that genetic predisposition does not always lead to alcoholism and that many people who do not have genetic predisposition develop alcoholism. This means that everybody is at greater risk of developing alcoholism as a disease so long as there is alcohol exposure.

Treatment of Alcoholism

Recovery from alcoholism disease is a gradual process that an individual undergoes during therapy. Alcoholics at first phase of recovery are in denial as they deny the fact that they suffer from alcoholism; therefore, it takes intervention from a psychotherapist to convince and advice them into admitting they have a problem that calls for an urgent solution.

When alcoholics realize that they are suffering, they visit rehabilitation centers where they undergo preliminary assessments to determine the extent of their problem and negotiate about appropriate treatment plan.

The initial treatment given to the alcoholics is chemotherapy. Chemotherapy involves detoxification of the body to free all alcohol from the system and alleviate the disorders associated withdrawal syndrome. Next, the alcoholics go through a series of counseling and consumption of nutritional diet to help them recover from alcoholism.

For complete recovery, family participation reinforces recovery as Kurtz argues that, “special group sessions are planned to help families communicate facts and feelings openly and honestly with support from other patients and their families” (2009, p. 20). This rehabilitation intervention enhances recovery from this societal thorn.

Alcoholic Anonymous is a 12-step process, which has proved very effective in the recovery of alcoholics and has become an integral process in the treatment of alcoholism. The process has led to the formation of an international movement of Alcoholic Anonymous that advocates for the recovery of the alcoholics members.

According to Kurtz, “…most members of Alcoholics Anonymous do speak of their alcoholism in terms of disease: the vocabulary of disease was from the beginning and still remains for most of them the best available for understanding and explaining their own experience” (2009, p. 2).

The admission by the alcoholics that they are suffering from alcoholic disease is acknowledging that they need therapy. The 12-step process holds that the alcoholics are helpless in their condition of alcoholism and that if they believe and give their will to the supernatural power, then, they are going to recover. The effectiveness of the 12-step of Alcoholic Anonymous emanates from acceptance of alcoholism as a problem and the inclusion of spiritual component to the therapy.

Opposition

Many critics argue that alcoholism is not a disease but a voluntary habit that an alcoholic nurtures through the lifespan. They argue based on alcohol drinkers who have the ability to control themselves on whether to take alcohol or not. This argument is not valid; the fact that some drinkers suffer while some do not suffer does not mean that alcoholism is not a disease.

“Viewing alcoholism as a disease allows a professional group, namely to claim responsibility for its understanding and treatment and therefore affords the problem more exposure and respect” (Niedermayer, 1990, p.4). Since alcoholism affects health, medical profession has a right to intervene in order to improve the health status of the alcoholics.

The critics hold that alcohol is not a disease and its classification as disease lack scientific evidence. For instance, “people addicted to alcohol but do not show any prolonged and noticeable reduction in the person’s ability to function may have an addiction to ethanol, but are not considered alcoholics” (Niedermayer, 1990, p. 8).

In this case, alcoholism becomes a disease when it causes adverse health effects to the drinker, otherwise normal drinking increases the risk of developing alcoholism. Although alcoholism seems to have blurred definition as a disease or a habit, the fact remains that it has serious health effects.

Conclusion

Alcoholism is a disease that has adverse health effects to the alcoholics. The classification of the alcoholism as a disease has generated a raging debate in the psychological and medical fields.

Alcoholism can be a habit; however, its serious effects on the health of the alcoholics cannot justify this classification. Shocking statistical analysis shows that there is exponential increase in the prevalence of alcoholism in the United States of America signifying that the government should brace itself by expanding rehabilitation programs to meet the increasing demands.

The classification of alcoholism as a disease stands a better chance to receive great attention from the government and the medical profession in a bid to address the problem. Ultimately, the treatment of alcoholism lies in the hands of the medical profession. On the other hand, there is a dire need to create public awareness that alcoholism is a disease not a free choice that alcoholics make. It might appear as a choice at first; however, as addiction sets in, it robs the addicted of the free will to make choices.

References

Kurtz, E. (2009). Alcoholic Anonymous and Disease Concept of Alcoholism. Alcoholism Treatment Quarterly, 1-58.

Niedermayer, D. (1990). The Disease Model of Alcoholism Revisited: Why People Drink. The Journal of Alcoholism, 1-12

Robert, S., & Arthur, J. (2010). Chronic Physical Effects of Alcoholism. American Medical Association Journal, 308-228.

Walker, L. (2004). Alcoholism. International Association Journal of Alcoholics, 2(2), 1-30.

Alcoholism is defined as “a primary, chronic, relapsing brain disease characterized by compulsive drug seeking and use despite often devastating consequences” (Thomas R. Hobbs, 1998). Alcoholism occurs as a result of a complex interplay of environmental exposure, biological vulnerability, and developmental factors, for example, the brain maturity stage. Most people share the idea that alcoholism is a persistent disease that can both be clinically diagnosed and treated, much like asthma, diabetes, or high blood pressure. Thus it should not be communally stigmatized but given considerations as a health issue as far as insurance coverage and treatment plans are concerned. Treating alcoholism as only a social problem is not enough because alcoholism is undeniably a very widespread and severe chronic illness that affects many people around the globe and thus should not be viewed as a weakness.

For more than 200 years, debate on whether to classify alcoholism as a personal conduct problem or an illness has been ongoing. Benjamin Rush, from the US, identified alcoholism as an illness in 1784. He asserted that ‘alcohol was the causal agent, loss of control over drinking behavior being the characteristic symptom, and total abstinence the only effective cure.’ It is taken that belief in this perception was so strong that he fronted a public education campaign in the US with a theme of decreasing public drunkenness. He also noted that “alcoholism should not be judged as a problem of willpower, misconduct, or any other unscientific diagnosis, the problem must be accepted for what it is ‘a biopsychosocial disease’ with a strong genetic influence, obvious signs and symptoms, a natural progression and a fatal outcome if not treated” (Hobbs, 1998).

In spite of the various studies authenticating the disease model of alcoholism, there still exists some controversy. For instance, the argument from social psychologists is that the profit alcohol treatment centers uphold the alcoholism “myth” as a lifelong disease. They further point out that the disease model excuses alcoholics for their present, future as well as past irresponsibility and notes that a good number of people can rise above addiction on their own. Conversely, views from some people indicate that alcoholics are influenced by family, with a claim that economic status, poor social upbringing, and copying of parent’s drinking behaviors are the sole major contributors to this disease. Nevertheless, this argument has been dismissed since there is a hereditary basis for alcoholism which translates that alcoholism is a disease that can be inherited [Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism].

Substance use ailments are the main public health challenge facing many nations, especially in the west, and it has been observed that alcohol is the commonly used substance of abuse in those patients presenting for treatment. Alcoholism is a justifiable disease with identified symptoms but with an unpredictable course. Unlike other diseases, treatment of alcoholism takes a multidisciplinary approach following its varied effects, i.e. (psychological, physical, financial). Its treatment involves input from nurses, doctors, social workers, and counselors. Just like any other ailment, alcoholism management starts with a proper diagnosis followed by the formulation of a careful and appropriate treatment plan. (Donald, 2000).

In conclusion, alcoholism is a disease or an illness, treatable like any other disease, and it is also a disease-based concept. Thus it would be advisable to treat alcoholism as a medical problem than as a legal problem. Identification and diagnosis of alcoholism may be difficult because there is no detectable physiologic difference between a person who drinks frequently and a person with the condition. Nevertheless, multiple tools are available to those wishing to conduct screening for alcoholism.

References

Alcoholism Should Be Treated as a Disease. 2008. Web.

Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. 2008. Web.

Fingarette.H (1988). Heavy Drinking: The Myth of Alcoholism as a Disease. Berkeley, CA: University of California Press.

Goodwin, Donald W. (2000). Alcoholism, the Facts, 3rd edition, New York: Oxford University Press.

Stanton Peele (1996) Shouldn’t we treat alcoholism as a disease? 2008. Web.

Thomas R. Hobbs (1998). Managing alcoholism as a disease: Physician’s News Digest.

Major Psychiatric Disorder(s): Alcoholism (Alcohol use disorder) 303.90 (FI 0.20) Moderate

Kamron meets criteria A because he has been showing the propensity toward developing alcoholism since the age of 14. He first committed a misdemeanor by stealing his father’s money to buy an alcoholic drink. His desire to drink defines his current behavior and his choices, compelling him to engage in criminal activities. Furthermore, alcohol seems to be the driving force behind his alienation from his family and friends. The identified behavior aligns with the definition of alcoholism provided in DSM-5: “A problematic pattern of alcohol use leading to clinically significant impairment or distress, as manifested by at least two of the following, occurring within a 12-month period” (American Psychiatric Association, 2013, p. 490).

Developmental Disorder(s): Alcohol use disorder 303.90 (FI 0.20) Moderate

The client is a 27-year-old male, who has been convicted of DUI several times and enjoys drinking alcoholic beverages, yet is in complete denial about his problem. He meets criteria A (alcohol withdrawal) since he is unwilling to admit that he needs help to fight his dependence, which means that he requires the assistance of an expert to recognize the issue and, therefore, manage it accordingly (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). The fact that Kamron’s drinking history goes back to him being 14 and stealing his father’s beer shows that the issue has been escalated to chronic levels.

Personality Disorder(s): Adult antisocial personality disorder V71.01 (Z72.811)

The patient has been experiencing significant difficulties socializing with his friends and relatives due to the alcohol issue. Since he cannot control his addiction and, therefore, is prone to changes in his behavior, his friends have been alienating themselves from him. However, Kamron does not display any signs of feeling lonely; instead, he distances himself from his friends and family to an even greater degree. Furthermore, Kamron meets criteria A since he seems to fail to understand the wrongfulness of his actions and the fact that they affect other people negatively. The specified phenomenon can be characterized as an adult antisocial personality disorder (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). While the patient does not display the tendency to be aggressive, he is deliberately breaking the bonds between him and his friends.

Medical Disorder(s): Alcoholism (Alcohol use disorder) 303.90 (FI 0.20) Moderate

The case under analysis shows clearly that drinking interferes with Kamron’s relationships with his family members and friends. Indeed, the patient is getting increasingly less socially active as he continues consuming alcohol. The specified tendency indicates that he has an alcohol use problem (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). Furthermore, Kamron meets criteria A since he seems to be out of control of his drinking since it leads him to misdemeanors such as DUI. The fact that Kamron’s friends are judgmental about his drinking points to the need for the patient to acknowledge the presence of the alcohol use disorder.

Client Strengths

The patient is young, smart, resourceful, aware of his problem, independent, emotionally stable, capable of enjoying his job, and has supportive friends.

Comments/Differential Diagnosis

Apart from having issues with his alcohol dependence and facing the threat of developing an antisocial personality disorder, the patient may also need to consider the issues associated with his digestion system and sleep patterns. He has had a regular stomach ache, which points to the necessity to carry out several tests for a possible stomach ulcer or a similar gastrointestinal disorder (Barclay, 2015). Furthermore, the patient seems to suffer from sleep deprivation since his sleep patterns have been disrupted (Salardini & Biller, 2016). Consequently, there is a threat of Kamron developing comorbid issues apart from the current alcohol-related problem. The patient must be tested to diagnose a gastrointestinal disorder and the possible cause of his current sleep concerns.

References

American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Association.

Barclay, A. E. (2015). The digestive tract. Cambridge, MA: Cambridge University Press.

Salardini, A., & Biller, J. (2016). The hospital neurology book. New York, NY: McGraw Hill Professional.