Alcoholism Supported by Empirical Evidence - 4517 Words

Alcoholism: Supported by Empirical Research Ellie Smith Vanderbilt University Abstract Globally, alcohol abuse disorders have become a problem for seventy-six million people (Orford, Natera, Copello, Atkinson, 2005). Addiction is a disease, not merely a social disorder. The disease not only affects the inflicted individuals, but can also be detrimental to family members and the greater community. Causes of addiction can be grouped into three categories: psychological traits, the family, and cultural beliefs. In order to remedy this problem, researchers have suggested psychosocial treatment, participation in Alcoholics Anonymous including abstinence from the drug completely, and having drug abuse education to†¦show more content†¦Extent of Problem Alcoholism has become a widespread concern in our society, with one third of Americans becoming dependent on the drug at some point in their lifetime (Read, 2010). According to a 2010 survey of Americans aged twelve or older, over 51.8 percent reported being current drinkers of alcohol, an estimated 131.3 million people (U.S. Department of Health and human Services (HHS), 2010). Nearly one quarter of persons aged twelve or older participated in binge drinking at least once in the thirty days prior to the 2010 survey, translating to nearly 58.6 million people. In 2010, heavy drinking was reported by 6.7 percent of the population aged twelve or older, equaling roughly 16.9 million people. Results from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions indicate that four percent of the population at a given time is dependent on alcohol; however, most never seek treatment (Read, 2010) (Hasin, Stinson, Ogburn, Grant, 2007). In 2009, two million people over the age of twelve received treatment for an alcohol related problem. Of those who reached out for assistance, only twenty-five percent remained abstinent for the first year following treatment completion (Hasin et al., 2007). Effects Use of alcohol causes a reduction in self-control,Show MoreRelatedMedical Journal Article: Addictions as Real Physical Disease1838 Words   |  7 Pagesis no real empirical evidence that depression is caused by an imbalance of neurotransmitters in the brain, psychiatrists infer that this particular imbalance exists based on their perception of how antidepressant medications work and from animal models of depression (Szasz, 2008). In fact, the notion that mental disorders can be traced to a disruption of bodily chemicals (or fluids) can be traced back to the Greeks and has been a long-held belief in medicine. Several lines of evidence are oftenRead MoreFamily History And The Aetiology Of Alcohol Dependency Essay1433 Words   |  6 Pagesthe family system (Bowen, 1974). It aids us to understand the intergenerational nature of alcohol dependence beyond genetic factors and how the dysfunctional system manifests in adolescence (Sher et. al. 2005). Unfortunately, there is very little empirical research into these environmental causes and there is very little focus on the individual factors that begin these cycles (Copello, 2005). Family systems theory does not explain what in fact causes the individual to become alcohol dependent, in theRead MoreScientific Theories Are Objectively Justified2001 Words   |  9 PagesScientific theories are objectively justified (Couvalis, 1997) and scientists are seen as being able to gather and interpret evidence that can be concluded as scientifically proven (Ladyman, 2002). In the majority of areas in modern society, including justice, health and safety, scientific evidence is heavily relied upon (Ladyman, 2002). However, there are certain principles that are required for a theory to be scientific. For example, it must be justified by observation permeated by theories (CouvalisRead MoreAlcohol, Cognition, and Impusivity1561 Words   |  7 Pagessignificant deficit in response inhibition. This deficit is enhanced when alcoholics try to suppress their response to stimuli that are alcohol-related (Noel et al., 2007). Similarly, in 2010, Noel, Tomberg, Verbanck, and Campanella reviewed the evidence that alcohol disturbs two substantial cognitive operations crucial to providing flexibility in a changing environment. These two cognitive operations involved the individual’s capability to inhibit a powerful response and to detect an error (NoelRead MoreModels of Memory2270 Words   |  10 Pagesshort-term store and a long-term store; all three have a specific and relatively inflexible function. It stressed that information for our environment such as the visual or auditory and haptic (by touch) initially goes into the sensory memory or empirical register. However, it has very limited capacity, and its duration is very brief, so if we do not notice this much we would forget it, but if we pay attention to it or think about it, the information would be encoded into a preferred acoustic mannerRead MoreThe Impact of Alcohol Sponsorship of Sporting Events on Consumption of Alcohol Amongst High Sch ool Students: a Research Proposal2213 Words   |  9 Pagesmales than females or vice versa and how the effects differ depending on age and social demographics. It is important to determine whether alcohol sponsorship of sporting events is contributing to the development of alcohol related problems and alcoholism in order to assess whether further restrictions need to be put in place. Literature Review There is much conjecture surrounding the issue of alcohol companies sponsoring sporting teams and events. Many groups believe that a ban similar to thatRead MoreHomeless Population in America Essay2680 Words   |  11 Pagesrates in the range of 20–40 percent (Hwang, 2001). Policies such as Medicaid and Housing for Urban Development (HUD) which are Federal and state governments that have acknowledged personal disabilities such as physical disability, mental illness or alcoholism as influences responsible for homelessness and as a result provided emergency shelters, housing subsidies and mental health interventions. The National Alliance to End Homelessness implemented in 2007 believes that homelessness is a problem withRead MoreCognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Substance Use Disorders Essay2877 Words   |  12 Pagesviewed as a scientific approach towards the understanding and improvement of human condition. Due to the advancement in the understanding of CBT, many different types of models have come into place (Rakovshik McManus, 2010; Shafran et al, 2009) . As evidence based practice, it has become very popular and is at a rise due to its ability for causality in elicits situations and experiences. Despite some great success, not only dealing with addiction but has also proven effectiveness with psychoanalyticRead MoreFirst Nations Of The Twenty First Century1900 Words   |  8 Pagesstill in place today and conditions have not improved. O’Sullivan (2006) as cited by Frideres conducted a study on the health and well-being of First Nations on reserve communities vs. non-Aboriginal com munities living close by. Her results (also supported by other studies) indicated that a gap does exist and will continue to exist through 2041. Resources on reserves continue to be an issue, lack of clean drinking water and adequate sanitary facilities are problems faced by 80 per cent of First NationsRead MorePsy Evaluation Essay11057 Words   |  45 Pagesunderstand the pleasure side of the activity. C. emphasize character weakness. D. attend an AA meeting. ANS:B PG10 8. According to the text, alcoholism is described in this book as an illness because: A. the concept recognizes alcoholism as both a medical and social problem B. the use of disease as a term is victim blaming C. to avoid the notion of alcoholism as a brain disease D. to increase the popularity of the book. ANS:A PG11 9.. As stated in the text, addiction is an illness of the: A. body