Alcoholism About 1.3 million adults received treatment for an alcohol use disorder at a specialized facility just in 2013. According to the Proquest database, alcoholism is commonly referred to as the excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages. The world health organization estimates there are 140 million alcoholics worldwide. Alcoholism can lead to ca crashes, crimes, violence, abuse, reduced workplace activity and illness. Also according to centers for disease control and prevention, excessive alcohol use is the third leading lifestyle-related cause of death in America. This paper will examine the pro, con, and my viewpoint on whether or not alcoholism is caused by a lack of willpower or not. First, an alcoholic can decide to stop drinking at any time. Firstly, cutting back is and option. According Shari Roan a journalist for the Los Angeles Times, top addiction experts believe that drinkers can limit the amount they drink …show more content…
We discovered that many do not believe that alcoholism is a disease, but instead a choice and lack of willpower. It is said that drinkers can limit themselves and make better choices on their own or with a little help. Many others including myself believe that alcoholism is in fact a disease and not a choice. There has been research that proves that there is a gene in many alcoholics. The gene shows that the disease can be hereditary like others and may not be something that just anyone can help. Everyone has their own opinion and point of view on this subject. There are supporting facts on both sides so it may never be determined fully as a disease or not, but I guess we will see. “The mentality and behavior of drug addicts and alcoholics is wholly irrational until you understand that they are completely powerless over their addiction and unless they have structured help, they have no hope.” – Russel
Most people think of alcoholics of being part of the homeless population or of lower class. I learned that anyone can be an alcoholic, even nurses and doctors. In an Ohio survey regarding addiction as a disease, the results of the survey found that statewide 59% think that an alcohol or drug addiction is a disease and 43% believe that alcoholism or addiction is a weakness (Ohio Survey, 2010, p. 7-8). However, these two believed facts are wrong; Alcoholism is a disease and not a weakness. I think by understanding this and that alcoholism is a disease that is not easily controllable, I am accepting to those struggling with alcoholism and inspired by those that choose a life of sobriety. Those suffering from alcoholism and are able to overcome the cravings and disease are some of the strongest people I know. Attending this meeting has been a life-changing experience that has impacted my personally and my future practice as a nurse. I hope to be a nurse that is more accepting, open-minded, and judgment-free to everyone, despite my morals, beliefs, and societal
What is alcohol? Where does it even come from? Is it bad? What effect does it have on the body? What are the benefits? These popular questions are the focal points of this discussion. The moral and religious debate of whether or not alcohol is wrong to consume is not in the scope of this conversation. Alcohol is a widely used substance by many people, and I intend to take an objective, factual, and practical approach to this topic.
One of the most common questions asked to children is: “What do you want to be when you grow up?” Responses typically include professions such as teachers, firefighters, police officers, doctors, etc. Foster children are no different; they too have hopes and dreams, aspirations to be someone in life. As with anyone else, they must first go through the proper curriculum and training to establish a career. The problem, however, is that early on foster children start falling behind academically. Research Highlights on Education and Foster Care (2014) provide numerous data based on studies throughout the states that exemplify the magnitude of the issue and the need to address it through modified policies and interventions. First, it recognizes
According to a Website entitled “Saint Jude Retreat House,” alcoholism and drug addiction are not diseases because those types of behaviors can be avoided and there is help available to change these behaviors. Although it has been found true that drug and alcohol dependency can be passed down through hereditary there is no concrete evidence I have found that proves that this is a disease. In a book entitled Treating Substance Abuse, Theory and Technique 2nd edition, says “This first and probably least controversial of the disease models can be termed the “medical consequences model.”
It is said to believe that alcoholism is a type of behavior, which is why it shouldn’t just be studied by medical doctors, but by psychologists, psychiatrists, and psychoanalysts. Why? Psychology is the study of human behavior. This article argues that alcohol addiction is distinguished by an imbalance of two different psychological reports leading to the loss of willpower (Bechara 2005). The first one being a spontaneous reaction for signaling immediate expectations. The second report is a reflective reaction needed to decrease the response triggered by the impulsive system. The article also reviews some candidates that can trigger alcohol use either knowingly or unknowingly. According to Alcoholism and the Loss of Willpower, alcohol-related stimuli capture the attention of problematic users of alcohol, triggers specific attributes (good/bad and sedative/arousal), and both of which could increase the likelihood to drink more alcohol or to drink in inappropriate situations, like before an exam or before driving a car. (Page 1) Another main aspect of alcoholism is the diminished extent for self-control. This also includes things like addicts not being able to efficiently execute certain behaviors and regulate their emotions and feelings. This can have a lot to do with the insula, which is a region of the brain deep inside the cerebral cortex. Where a lot of decision making takes place here, once the insula is engaged it makes conscious and unconscious decisions to drink that beer or take that drug. All of these findings conclude to possessing willpower. “Willpower depends in many important ways on neural substrates that regulate homeostasis, emotion, and feeling.” (Persaud, McLeod, & Cowey, 2007) All these understandings of alcohol...
individuals and their families, and provide information about effective community-based interventions such as Alcoholics Anonymous meetings.
Alcoholism is defined as a destructive addiction to alcohol while alcohol abuse is defined as a destructive abuse of alcohol. Alcoholism is the most severe form of alcohol abuse but there are many different factors that contribute to a person becoming an alcoholic. Alcoholism is genetic but usually influenced by someone’s environment growing up and their present environment. Having a abusive childhood or a hard life in general can trigger feelings that turn into a need to drink. An alcoholic can not control his/her intake of alcohol because he/she does not have control over it. There are many signs and symptoms to determine if someone is in fact an al...
According to the American Heritage Dictionary, alcoholism is defined as "the compulsive consumption of and psychophysiological dependence on alcoholic beverages." It is a problem that can tear apart marriages and families, cause someone to lose his job, and many more negative results. In order to recover from this dependency a person must lose his desire for and dependence upon alcohol, continue to remain sober, and resolve all conflicts caused by the alcohol abuse. There are several alternatives an alcoholic has to rehabilitate himself. The best solution is a combination of individual therapy and a support group like Alcoholics Anonymous.
... the alcoholic of responsibility for their problem. Labeling an alcohol problem as a disease is perhaps as stigmatising as the problem itself and could have the effect of dissuading many problem drinkers from seeking help. It focuses mainly on those whose drinking has become excessive and is thus restrictive. The Classical Disease Model may appear convenient for alcoholics who want to deny they have a problem, yet it is likely to do more harm to the individual and the community than good, therefore it is clear to see why, in the 21st Century, the Classical Disease Model is viewed as entirely inadequate.
Drinking alcohol is associated with many adverse health problems in the short and long-term. These include cancer, stroke, heart disease, miscarriage, premature birth and unintentional injuries. Despite the fact that alcohol brings many negative impacts, many people still choose to drink and do not overcome their drinking habit. They have been successfully seduced by alcohol until drinking has become their addiction. However, some of them try to quit drinking, but they still cannot break the addiction. Basically, quitting alcohol is difficult and almost impossible for them because of brain-craving, lack of belief and support, and weak willpower.
If you have been drinking too much, stop. This can be very hard to do if you are addicted or dependent. If you think you have a problem or find it hard to stop drinking, talk with a friend, spouse or other family member, or your health care provider. Talking to someone else about what you are experiencing is very important. This person may be able to help you get help to stop drinking.
Research shows that 17.6 million people are suffering from alcohol abuse. According to the article “Facts about Alcohol”, it states that 88,000 people has died from excessive alcohol use and that alcoholism is the 3rd leading lifestyle related cause of death in the nation. Many people can debate on what excessive drinking truly is. Some may say having two to three drinks on a daily bases is excessive and then you have people that argue and say having a drink every day is excessive. Doctors and phycologist often say that excessive drinking goes to the purpose of why the person is drinking and often ask is the drink a want or a need. If the person answers as if they need the drink or drinks then they would classify those individual’s as excessive drinkers and that they are experiencing substance
They may try to rationalize their drinking by saying that they only drink at the bar or at a specific time. This helps the individual feel like they have control over their drinking. They may ask friends to cover for them or isolate themselves for drinking. In addition, they may break personal or professional commitments because of hangovers or drinking sessions.
Alcohol abuse is the most common problem, nowadays. In fact, majority of people drink alcohol repeatedly to the point where they have difficulty to stop. Statistics show that, as much as, “40% of college students report drinking five or more drinks in one episode” (Walters & Baer, 2006). Alcohol has become more popular over the years as advertisements, simultaneously with commercials of it, filled the media. It also is easily accessible and cheap in comparison to other psychoactive substances. On the other hand, alcohol safety awareness programs are barely noticeable. My research will present how alcohol and its abuse gets into people’s lives and how it influences their physical and mental health, as well as, social existence.
The cause of alcoholism is a combination of biological, psychological, and cultural factors that may contribute to the development of...