ALCOHOLISM: AN OVERVIEW
Introduction
Hester and
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Hester and Miller (2002) define alcoholism as a disease that includes craving for alcohol and continued drinking despite repeated alcohol-related problems (e.g., losing a job, getting arrested, etc.). Alcoholism is also said to include the following symptoms: strong need or compulsion to drink, the inability to limit oneÆs drinking on any given occasion, withdrawal symptoms when alcohol use is stopped after a period of heavy drinking and tolerance which is defined as the need for increasing amounts of alcohol in order to feel its effects. However, the authors do distinguish alcoholism from ôalcohol abuseö which is said to be a pattern of problem drinking with major health and societal conflicts but lacking the full addictive pattern associated with alcoholism. The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of alcoholism focusing on the prevalence of the problem as well as its physical, social and psychological effects and the ultimate prognosis if the condition goes untreated. Ketcham, Asbury, Schulstad and Ciaramicoli (2000) note that the problems of alcoholism and alcohol abuse are pervasive. According to the authors, approximately one fourth of American adults either report having a current problem with drinking or believe that they have drinking patterns that place them at risk for developing alcohol problems. It is estimated that about one in every 13 adults in the United States abuses alcohol or is an alcoholic.
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lems and psychological troubles all result from alcoholism (Lingford-Hughes, Davies, McIver, Williams, Daglish & Nutt, 2003).
In terms of society, Kuhn, Swartzwelder, Wilson and Wilson (2003) report that in purely economic terms, these disorders cost society an estimated $148 billion annually, while drug abuse and dependence costs an additional $98 billion. In terms of social costs, Kuhn et. al state that one person dies in an alcohol-related car crash every 32 minutes. Two more people are injured in alcohol-related automobile crashes every minute.
However, Ketcham, K., Asbury, W. F., Schulstad, M., Ciaramicoli (2000) make an important point regarding society. Specifically the authors point out that society tends to aid in the development of alcoholism by making alcohol seem glamorous. In particular, television and movies and most especially advertisements, often imply that by drinking, a person will become more popular, more glamorous and more worthy of respect from others.
Prognosis
What is the prognosis for an alcoholic who goes untreated? The foregoing research clearly shows that alcoholism is a major social, economic, and public health problem. One very unfortunate statistic is that only about 15 percent of those wit
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Approximate Word count = 1312
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page)
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