Category: Alcohol Abuse

Native Americans started consuming alcohol years ago. This has caused a number of health problems to this group. Notably, alcohol has affected both individuals and communities within America. Besides, it has greatly contributed to illnesses and untimely deaths among Native Americans (Clinard & Meier, 2011). For instance, analysis of death certificates for the last six years indicates that deaths caused by alcoholism among the Native American population have increased considerably. Moreover, the increase is estimated to be five folds compared to the current values. The rates at which teenagers take alcohol (due to domestic factors and peer influence) have been closely examined. Consequently, several reports have linked this threat to alcoholic influences. Some researches carried out have ascribed the condition to numerous physiological theories. Such theories state that Native Americans are naturally or inherently prone to alcohol. Hypothetically, it is true that alcoholism, among Native Americans, has affected their health provisions? This hypothesis can be subjected to test. Evidently, more researches regarding this area have been completed; however, a lot can still be done.

Additionally, it is important to assert that the craving for alcohol increases demographically. Theories suggest that the rate at which alcohol is absorbed in the body of a Native American is different from that of the rest of the U.S. population. These problems have been contributed by a number of social factors. Traditional, emotional suppression and social setup are some of the factors which have significantly contributed to this population’s alcohol abuse (Lippert & Spignesi, 2007). In addition, socioeconomic status and passive-aggressive conditions have led to the concerned alcoholic abuse. Despite having been educated, there is still a high prevalence of alcohol abuse among Native Americans. This has really affected their health.

Alcohol has caused a considerable number of deaths and health complications among Native Americans. A lot of research carried out indicates that there is an increased rate of liver diseases (Cirrhosis of the liver and hepatitis) among the concerned groups. Besides, 12% of deaths in the United States are caused by liver diseases. Men from the major victims (Lowinson, 2005). Long-term and heavy drinking among the population has also led to an increased number of patients suffering from brain damage. Accordingly, serious brain damage and increased memory loss are experienced by middle-aged individuals. Alcohol drinking is believed to be the major cause of certain cancer diseases, particularly breast and liver cancer. The more an individual takes alcohol, the greater the danger of developing cancer. Consequently, this is reflected by the high prevalence of cancerous diseases among Native Americans. Additionally, the population is experiencing an increased prevalence of HIV/ AIDS due to alcohol drinking (Taylor & Teton Data Systems, 2003). Drinking has not only increased the risk of contracting the disease but also its spread and progression. Besides, 30 percent and 60 percent of men and women (respectively) infected with HIV are currently under ARV drugs. A number of this population has dietary complications caused by the excessive consumption of alcohol. Alcohol abuse by this population has also led to the development of diseases like dental complications, muscle strain, and pancreatitis. It has been reported that 80% of Native American youths are alcoholics. Nonetheless, more research needs to be done on this topic.

References

Clinard, B., & Meier, F. (2011). Sociology of deviant behavior. Australia: Cengage Learning.

Lippert, T., & Spignesi, J. (2007). Native American history for dummies. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.

Lowinson, H. (2005). Substance abuse: A comprehensive textbook. Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

Taylor, B. & Teton Data Systems (Firm). (2003). Family medicine: Principles and practice. New York, NY: Springer.

Introduction

Many people seem to have different perceptions about alcohol with many looking at it as a fashion especially in today’s changing world. However people may look at it, alcohol is and remains an addictive drug that is being abused every day by many people. Alcohol may be consumed for various reasons amongst them; relieving stress or evading a certain problem or for social reasons.

However, many teenagers engage in drinking due to peer pressure while other people drink, not for the above reasons, but because they are addicted to alcohol. Despite the dangers associated with alcohol consumption, many people just go ahead and use with many people being aware of these dangers.

Dangers associated with alcohol consumption

One of the major effects of alcohol consumption is physical violence. Heavy intoxications due to alcohol consumption induce acts of violence such as abuse to family members, physical assault to anyone encountered or even killing. However, not all people get violent after consuming alcohol. Another very significant danger of alcohol consumption is the risks it poses to one’s health.

Long term consumption of alcohol increases the possibility of one getting heart related diseases especially heart failure. Failure of the liver is also a common health problem to heavy drinkers. Other health risks include improper functioning of body systems such as the circulatory system. Development of cancer and peptic ulcers is another risk to one’s health.

The brain may as well be permanently damaged. Besides health problems, alcoholics suffer personal problems including inability to control one self’s stability, poor mental alertness, lack of consciousness, inability to coordinate words into a proper speech and slurred vision. Sexual assault is also very common in alcohol abusers. Many people tend to behave in a sexual manner under the influence of alcohol because such people cannot control themselves and even think straight (Zegata, 1999, p. 1).

Curing alcoholism

The initiation of curing alcoholism begins with the alcoholic himself by making that strong resolution of stopping drinking. Making this resolution is very important in helping one initiate the process of healing. One of the major ways of curing alcoholism is from the nutritional perspective.

This involves building nutritional values that leads to zero cravings for any of the stimulating drinks. First of all, fruity juices should be used in the initial stages of the process to get rid of the intoxications already in the system. Use of warm water alongside the fresh juice is also advisable. The juice is essentially useful when the patient craves for alcohol during time which he should be given the juice as a substitute.

With time the patients gets used to taking juice whenever he is craving for a stimulating drink. Certain foods should e avoided as well. For instance, sugary and meaty foods should be avoided since they are good compliments to alcohol. In addition, it is very important to strictly avoid smoking because it increases the desire to take alcohol. High consumption of apples is also highly advised due to its ability to reduce cravings for intoxications including wine as well as cleansing the system.

Besides nutritional interventions, physical exercise is equally important in this process. All this constitutes the natural cure for alcoholism which is a very important step in the whole process of healing from alcoholism. They are importantly required to get the body’s metabolism to normal since most of the cravings to intoxicated drinks are a result of malnutrition (Philips, 2010, p. 1).

Besides the natural method of healing alcoholism using nutrition intervention, counseling is also very essential in the process. One requires a lot of counseling and support from family members and friends as well to keep persuading the patient to continue undertaking medications because not everyone succeeds in the process as many people give up on the medication process and go back to alcoholism before getting cured.

In addition, professional counseling is equally important as the specialist can be able to access the level of alcoholism in the patient, how dependant that person is on alcohol and such information which would help the specialist decide on the most effective ways of curing the patient from alcoholism.

Most of the effective intervention methods involving a specialist should deal with both behavioral and preventive measures especially those that will lead to prevention of stress because, as discussed earlier, stress is one of the major causes for alcoholism.

Basically, psychological counseling is important in preventing the drinking exercise. Therefore, counselors should focus on helping alcoholics deal with life situation in other healthy ways rather than drinking. Such assistance should deal with better ways of handling stress, how to cope with social occasions especially those involving a lot of drinking or how to deal with peers for the youths.

Another very effective way of healing from alcoholism is participating in treatment programs especially those involving group therapy. For instance, one should attend to occasional programs such as educational lectures on alcoholism. One of the most effective programs in curing alcoholism is the alcoholics anonymous which involves gathering of alcoholics in a meeting from where they can talk one on one about their experiences and give their stories on how alcohol has affected their lives.

Through these meetings, patients get to hear how their colleagues managed to quit and this gives them the morale to keep trying the healing process. They also get the opportunity to get advice from their fellow members on how to deal with life situations that drive them to drinking. In addition, support is given in such programs in case one gets the cravings for alcohol. For instance, alcoholics are given specific specialists to talk to whenever they are craving for alcohol.

These programs also may have other recreational activities that are aimed at focusing the alcoholic’s attention away from situational problems which would lead them to heavy drinking. Such activities may include sports or other activities for helping the society such as cleanup activities. Finally, there is the use of residential alcoholism cure programs where alcoholics attend a residential centre for a certain period of time during which various interventions are given (Philips, 2010, p. 1).

Conclusion

Alcoholism is a very serious problem, not only individually, but also from the societal point of view. Quitting alcohol is a problem as well especially if one is trying to do it alone. Therefore, it is important for one to get moral and specialist support in curing alcoholism.

However, for the process to be effective enough, the process should begin with oneself by making that important decision of stopping drinking. This decision does not only involve the mind, but also requires psychological preparedness. A combination of the above mentioned interventions could work miraculously since diet, group support and specialist help are all equally important.

Reference List

Philips, E. (2010). Quit alcohol – curing alcoholism guide. Web.

Zegata, D. (1999). What are the dangers of alcohol? Web.