Causes and Treatment for Alcoholism

Alcoholism is the equal opportunity problem that can baffle family friends, doctors, and the psychiatric establishment. It affects the rich and famous, as well as the poor (Baugh, 1999). It can kill children of the powerful, even when the experts are all exerting their efforts to help someone recover (McGovern, 1996). The intention in the following pages is to provide a brief summary of current thinking on the causes and treatments for alcoholism.

There is generally no one thing that experts point to and declare that it is the sole cause of alcoholics. Instead, there are a number of issues that are considered as being elements of the problem.

Genetics is one of those elements. In a recent review article, Marc Schuckit (1999) examined some of the genetic influences which lead to three or fourfold higher prevalence of the disorder in firstdegree relatives of alcoholics or eightfold higher prevalence in identical twins of alcoholics. Schuckit indicated that genetic influences are different from, and separate from,

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vider to think about a problem with alcohol abuse (Crigger, 1998). Even when those symptoms and diseases are identified, however, the individual may still deny that there is a problem. Certainly denial is an issue in other kinds of health care situations, but it is a major issue with substance abuse. Substance abusers may continue to deny they have a problem, or a serious problem, even if they are hospitalized and even if they are unable to stop drinking for even a short period of time. Family, friends, and health care professionals cannot necessarily convince the individual that alcohol treatment is desirable. In this case, family and friends may need support and service themselves (Gorman, 1996). Many of the more visible substance abusers, however, begin their recovery process in holding cells, hospitals, and recovery centers. They may be much more physically impacted and much more violently opposed to limiting their alcohol consumption. Because of their situation, they may be faced with an involuntary withdrawal from alcohol, creating both psychological and physical problems. Withdrawal from alcohol abuse can be difficult, and some people become quite sick with delirium tremens and other withdrawal symptoms. In or
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Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 2566
Approximate Pages = 10 (250 words per page)

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