25 Julao, Karen Grace P.

3C-PH
Alcoholism

It is a broad term for problems with alcohol, characterized by cravings for alcohol and an
inability to stop drinking, 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 chronic, often progressive disease, specifically a
neurological disorder, and in medicine several other terms are used, specifically "alcohol
abuse" and "alcohol dependence.

Types of Alcoholism
A study issued by the National Institute for Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism explored the
drinking tendencies of a group of persons in order to classify them into varying degrees of
alcoholism. They discovered five different kinds of alcoholics that range in age of onset and
functionality. In brief, here are the findings from the research:
a. Young adult - Persons in this category often drink in excess, but drink with less
frequency. They also are likely to be involved in dangerous drinking habits (driving while
intoxicated) but have low instances of substance abuse and mental health issues.
b. Young antisocial - Persons in this category often met the criteria for antisocial personality
disorder and other mental health problems.
c. Functional - Functional alcoholics tend to have a history of alcohol-related issues in their
families and about one-quarter met the criteria for clinical depression.
d. Intermediate familial - Like functional alcoholics, those in this classification also had a
history of family alcoholism. There was also a strong likelihood noted for the
development of mental health and/or substance abuse issues
e. Chronic severe - This group, however, was most likely to be treated for alcoholism with a
substantial majority (two-thirds) seeking help.
Clinical Signs and Symptoms
Alcoholism includes symptoms like:

Solitary or secretive drinking

Craving for alcohol
Drinking a huge amount of alcohol without having control over own self. An inability to
control the amount you drink
Blackouts (not remembering events or conversations)
Getting frustrated and irritable when not able to get the drink at the time. Irritability when
you can' t get a drink at your regular time
Nausea, anxiety and sweating on withdrawal from the alcohol.

Identification and Diagnosis

Identification of alcoholism may be difficult because there is no detectable physiological
difference between a person who drinks a lot and a person who can't control his or her drinking.
As a result, identification involves an objective assessment regarding the damage that the
consumption of alcohol does to the drinker's life compared to the perceived subjective benefits
that the drinker perceives from that consumption.
Screening
CAGE Questionnaire
The CAGE questionnaire, developed by Dr. John Ewing and named for its four questions:
1. Have you ever felt you needed to Cut down on your drinking?
2. Have people Annoyed you by criticizing your drinking?
3. Have you ever felt Guilty about drinking?
4. Have you ever felt you needed a drink first thing in the morning (Eye-opener) to steady your
nerves or to get rid of a hangover.
AUDIT Questionnaire or Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test
A more sensitive diagnostic test than the CAGE test. The Alcohol Dependence Data
Questionnaire serves to distinguish a diagnosis of alcohol dependence from one of heavy
alcohol
use.
DSM Diagnosis - It represents another approach to the definition of alcoholism, and it is
currently in general use from a diagnostic standpoint.
Urine and Blood Tests - Although there are reliable tests, there is no test available that
can differentiate between a person that drinks a lot and person who cant control their
drinking.
Long term heavy drinking, however have a few recognizable effects on the body, including:
Macrocytosis (enlarged MCV)
Elevated GGT
High carbohydrate deficient transferrin

Effects of Alcoholism
A. Long Term Physical Health Effects it is caused by the consumption of large amounts
of alcohol. This includes:
Death, primarily alcohol toxemia
Pancreatitis
Cirrhosis of the liver
Depression, insomnia, anxiety, and suicide
Sexual dysfunction
B. Social Effects

Loss of employment
Financial problems
Marital conflict and divorce
Convictions for crimes

C. Alcohol Withdrawal - there are several distinct but not mutually exclusive alcohol
withdrawal syndromes caused by alcohol withdrawal
Tremulousness - "the shakes"
Activation syndrome - characterized by tremulousness, agitation, rapid heartbeat and
high blood pressure.
Seizures- acute grand mal seizures can occur in alcohol withdrawal in patients who have
no history of seizure or any structural brain disease.
Hallucinations- usually visual or tactile in alcoholics
Delirium tremens can be severe and often fatal
Treatments for Alcoholism
Detoxification - is the process of eliminating alcohol drinking and giving the
drinker's system time to re-adjust to the absence of alcohol.
-not a treatment for alcoholism, but is simply a treatment of the physiologic
effects of ongoing use of alcohol. It provides an initial path for an alcoholic to stop
drinking in the first place.
Group Therapy and Psychotherapy - After detoxification, various forms of group
therapy or psychotherapy can be used to deal with underlying psychological
issues leading to alcohol dependence, and also to provide the recovering addict
with relapse prevention skills.
Medications - Medications for alcoholism are most often used to supplement a
person's willpower and encourage abstinence.
Government Interventions
Because alcohol use disorders impact society as a whole, government have formed
alcohol policies in order to reduce the harm of alcoholism.
The treatment of substance abuse disorders should be individualized according to the needs of
the individual suffering from these problems. Most people with alcoholism and other substance
abuse disorders require a combination of alcohol counseling and medicines to help the problem.
Things like case management can play a big role in helping the alcoholic or substance abuser
regain
their
health
and
recover
from
their
illness.
Treatments and related services can happen at a variety of locations. Some of these places
include:

Schools

Hospitals

Independent-provider facilities

Community behavioral-health centers

Community health centers

Community organizations

Substance-abuse rehab facilities

Peer-run organizations

Primary-care programs

Jails and prisons

Home-based services

Inpatient provider facilities

Other community-based settings

References

1. Government Treatment for Alcoholism - Funded Rehab. (n.d.).

Retrieved
September
26,
2016,
https://www.alcoholrehabguide.org/treatment/government-treatment/

from

2. Alcoholism. (n.d.).
Retrieved
September
26,
https://www.scribd.com/document/89810128/Alcoholism

2016,

from

3. Treatment Options for Alcohol Abuse. (n.d.).

Retrieved September 26, 2016, from http://drugrehabsworldwide.com/treatmentoptions-for-alcohol-abuse/

4. Alcoholism.

(n.d.).
Retrieved
September
26,
https://www.scribd.com/document/138481795/Alcoholism

2016,

from

5. Reviews, C. T. (2013). Study guide for principles and labs for fitness and
wellness by wener w.k. Place of publication not identified: Cram101 Incorporated.

6. 5 Types of Alcoholism | The Oaks at La Paloma Treatment Center. (n.d.).

Retrieved September 27, 2016, from http://theoakstreatment.com/alcoholaddiction/5-types/