CASE STUDY ALCOHOLISM WITH DETAILS SOLUTIONS
GRADED A++
INTRODUCTION:
Alcoholism is a broad term for problems with alcohol, and is generally used to mean compulsive
and uncontrolled consumption of alcoholic beverages, usually to the detriment of the drinker's
health, personal relationships, and social standing. It is medically considered a disease,
specifically a neurological disorder, and in medicine several other terms are used, specifically
"alcohol abuse" and "alcohol dependence" which have more specific definitions.[1] In 1979 an
expert World Health Organization committee discouraged the use of "alcoholism" in medicine,
preferring the category of "alcohol dependence syndrome".[2] In the 19th and early 20th
centuries, alcohol dependence in general was called dipsomania, but that term now has a much
more specific meaning.[3] People suffering from alcoholism are often called "alcoholics". Many
other terms, some of them insulting or informal, have been used throughout history. The World
Health Organization estimates that there are 140 million people with alcoholism worldwide.[4][5]
Alcoholism is called a "dual disease" since it includes both mental and physical components.[6]
The biological mechanisms that cause alcoholism are not well understood. Social environment,
stress,[7] mental health, family history, age, ethnic group, and gender all influence the risk for the
condition.[8][9] Long-term alcohol abuse produces changes in the brain's structure and chemistry
such as tolerance and physical dependence. These changes maintain the person with alcoholism's
,compulsive inability to stop drinking and result in alcohol withdrawal syndrome if the person
stops.[10] Alcohol damages almost every organ in the body, including the brain. The cumulative
toxic effects of chronic alcohol abuse can cause both medical and psychiatric problems.[11]
Identifying alcoholism is difficult because of the social stigma associated with the disease that
causes people with alcoholism to avoid diagnosis and treatment for fear of shame or social
consequences. The evaluation responses to a group of standardized questioning is a common
method for diagnosing alcoholism. These can be used to identify harmful drinking patterns,
including alcoholism.[12] In general, problem drinking is considered alcoholism when the person
continues to drink despite wanting to stop because of social or health problems caused by
drinking.[13]
Treatment of alcoholism takes several steps. Because of the medical problems that can be caused
by withdrawal, alcohol detoxification is carefully controlled and may involve medications such
as benzodiazepines such as diazepam (Valium).[14] People with alcoholism also sometimes have
other addictions, including addictions to benzodiazepines, which may complicate this step.[15]
After detoxification, other support such as group therapy or self-help groups are used to help the
person remain sober.[16][17] Thombs (1999) states according to behavioural sciences alcoholism is
described as a “maladaptive behaviour”. He explains this must not be confused with
“misbehaviour”. Behavioural scientists explain that addicts have a behaviour pattern that may
lead to destructive consequences for themselves, their families and society. This does not label
addicts as bad or irresponsible.[18] Compared with men, women are more sensitive to alcohol's
harmful physical, cerebral, and mental effects.[19]
, Long-term misuse
Some of the possible long-term effects of ethanol an individual may develop. Additionally, in
pregnant women, alcohol can cause fetal alcohol syndrome.
Alcoholism is characterised by an increased tolerance of and physical dependence on alcohol,
affecting an individual's ability to control alcohol consumption safely. These characteristics are
believed to play a role in impeding an alcoholic's ability to stop drinking.[10] Alcoholism can have
adverse effects on mental health, causing psychiatric disorders and increasing the risk of suicide.
The onset of depression is a common symptom.[20][21]
Physical
Long-term alcohol abuse can cause a number of physical symptoms, including cirrhosis of the
liver, pancreatitis, epilepsy, polyneuropathy, alcoholic dementia, heart disease, nutritional
deficiencies, peptic ulcers[22] and sexual dysfunction, and can eventually be fatal. Other physical
effects include an increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease, malabsorption, alcoholic
liver disease, and cancer. Damage to the central nervous system and peripheral nervous system
can occur from sustained alcohol consumption.[23][24]
Women develop long-term complications of alcohol dependence more rapidly than do men.
Additionally, women have a higher mortality rate from alcoholism than men.[25] Examples of
long-term complications include brain, heart, and liver damage[26] and an increased risk of breast
cancer. Additionally, heavy drinking over time has been found to have a negative effect on
reproductive functioning in women. This results in reproductive dysfunction such as anovulation,
decreased ovarian mass, problems or irregularity of the menstrual cycle, and early menopause.[25]
GRADED A++
INTRODUCTION:
Alcoholism is a broad term for problems with alcohol, and is generally used to mean compulsive
and uncontrolled consumption of alcoholic beverages, usually to the detriment of the drinker's
health, personal relationships, and social standing. It is medically considered a disease,
specifically a neurological disorder, and in medicine several other terms are used, specifically
"alcohol abuse" and "alcohol dependence" which have more specific definitions.[1] In 1979 an
expert World Health Organization committee discouraged the use of "alcoholism" in medicine,
preferring the category of "alcohol dependence syndrome".[2] In the 19th and early 20th
centuries, alcohol dependence in general was called dipsomania, but that term now has a much
more specific meaning.[3] People suffering from alcoholism are often called "alcoholics". Many
other terms, some of them insulting or informal, have been used throughout history. The World
Health Organization estimates that there are 140 million people with alcoholism worldwide.[4][5]
Alcoholism is called a "dual disease" since it includes both mental and physical components.[6]
The biological mechanisms that cause alcoholism are not well understood. Social environment,
stress,[7] mental health, family history, age, ethnic group, and gender all influence the risk for the
condition.[8][9] Long-term alcohol abuse produces changes in the brain's structure and chemistry
such as tolerance and physical dependence. These changes maintain the person with alcoholism's
,compulsive inability to stop drinking and result in alcohol withdrawal syndrome if the person
stops.[10] Alcohol damages almost every organ in the body, including the brain. The cumulative
toxic effects of chronic alcohol abuse can cause both medical and psychiatric problems.[11]
Identifying alcoholism is difficult because of the social stigma associated with the disease that
causes people with alcoholism to avoid diagnosis and treatment for fear of shame or social
consequences. The evaluation responses to a group of standardized questioning is a common
method for diagnosing alcoholism. These can be used to identify harmful drinking patterns,
including alcoholism.[12] In general, problem drinking is considered alcoholism when the person
continues to drink despite wanting to stop because of social or health problems caused by
drinking.[13]
Treatment of alcoholism takes several steps. Because of the medical problems that can be caused
by withdrawal, alcohol detoxification is carefully controlled and may involve medications such
as benzodiazepines such as diazepam (Valium).[14] People with alcoholism also sometimes have
other addictions, including addictions to benzodiazepines, which may complicate this step.[15]
After detoxification, other support such as group therapy or self-help groups are used to help the
person remain sober.[16][17] Thombs (1999) states according to behavioural sciences alcoholism is
described as a “maladaptive behaviour”. He explains this must not be confused with
“misbehaviour”. Behavioural scientists explain that addicts have a behaviour pattern that may
lead to destructive consequences for themselves, their families and society. This does not label
addicts as bad or irresponsible.[18] Compared with men, women are more sensitive to alcohol's
harmful physical, cerebral, and mental effects.[19]
, Long-term misuse
Some of the possible long-term effects of ethanol an individual may develop. Additionally, in
pregnant women, alcohol can cause fetal alcohol syndrome.
Alcoholism is characterised by an increased tolerance of and physical dependence on alcohol,
affecting an individual's ability to control alcohol consumption safely. These characteristics are
believed to play a role in impeding an alcoholic's ability to stop drinking.[10] Alcoholism can have
adverse effects on mental health, causing psychiatric disorders and increasing the risk of suicide.
The onset of depression is a common symptom.[20][21]
Physical
Long-term alcohol abuse can cause a number of physical symptoms, including cirrhosis of the
liver, pancreatitis, epilepsy, polyneuropathy, alcoholic dementia, heart disease, nutritional
deficiencies, peptic ulcers[22] and sexual dysfunction, and can eventually be fatal. Other physical
effects include an increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease, malabsorption, alcoholic
liver disease, and cancer. Damage to the central nervous system and peripheral nervous system
can occur from sustained alcohol consumption.[23][24]
Women develop long-term complications of alcohol dependence more rapidly than do men.
Additionally, women have a higher mortality rate from alcoholism than men.[25] Examples of
long-term complications include brain, heart, and liver damage[26] and an increased risk of breast
cancer. Additionally, heavy drinking over time has been found to have a negative effect on
reproductive functioning in women. This results in reproductive dysfunction such as anovulation,
decreased ovarian mass, problems or irregularity of the menstrual cycle, and early menopause.[25]
