Alcohol

1. What is alcoholism? 2. How do people become alcoholics? 3. What are the effects of alcoholism, on both the alcoholic and their family? 4. How do you diagnose alcoholism? 5. Is there a cure for alcoholics? 6. What is the treatment? What is Alcoholism? Alcoholism can be defined as the dependency on alcohol; addiction to alcohol. It is a chronic disease, this disease called alcoholism is progressive and potentially fatal. “ In 1966 the American Medical Association (AMA) declared Alcoholism a disease, but it is still judged morally by society” said Father Martin. There are different types of alcoholics, the first type of alcoholic is the everyday drinker. These alcoholics drink on a daily basis with a high dependency on alcohol. A second type is the weekend alcoholics, they drink on weekends, usually to excess. Finally, the third type is the binge drinker. This is a person who drinks heavily on occasion. Probably the most dangerous type of alcoholism, because they are most likely to die of alcohol poisoning. How do people become alcoholics? Alcoholics don’t know how they became alcoholics. Some say it is genetic on the stress gene, triggered by psychological or social stress. While others say it is a learned maladaptive coping behavior. Studies have shown that alcoholism may be genetic. If alcoholism is genetic it would be indirect. it would be related to the stress gene. This means that stress would set off a trigger that makes alcohol a want to the person. If alcoholism is learned behavior it means that drinking is a bad coping skill, most likely learned through an alcoholic parent. What are the effects of alcoholism, on both the alcoholic and their family? Alcohol has terrible effects on health, family and work. The effects of alcohol on the body are cirrhosis of the liver, loss of brain cells, stomach cancer, depression, tremors and blackouts. An alcoholic in the family causes many disruptions to the members of the family. They start arguments and fights by not functioning or being drunk. They either do not attend family gatherings or disrupt them. Some alcoholics can be abusive to other family members. A lot of alcoholic families find themselves in financial trouble, caused by the alcoholic using most of the money to buy alcohol. Kids of an alcoholic suffer the most, listening to arguments and being the blame of their parents drinking, making the ...

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...very A.A. group ought to be self-supporting, declining outside contributions.” Tradition Eight: “ Alcoholics Anonymous should remain forever non-professional, but our service centers may employ special workers.” Tradition Nine: “ A.A., as such, ought never be organized; but we create service boards or committees directly responsible to those they serve.” Tradition Ten: “ Alcoholics Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues; hence the A.A. name ought never be drawn into public controversy.” Tradition Eleven: “ Our public relations policy is based on attraction rather than promotion; we need always maintain personal anonymity at the level of press, radio, and films.” Tradition Twelve: “ Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all our traditions, ever reminding us to place principles before personalities.”

Bibliography

Work Cited Silverstein, Herma. Alcoholism. New York: Franklin Watts, 1990 Wekesser, Carol. Alcoholism. San Diego: Greenhaven Press Inc., 1994 Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions. New York: Alcoholics Anonymous World Services Inc., 1995 “ Alcohol and Alcoholism.” The Encyclopedia of Psychoactive Drugs. New York: Chelsea House Publishers, 1986

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