Alcohol Addiction

Abstract

Chemical dependency is a serious public health problem. Globally, it is estimated that 200 million people or 5% of the population of the world have, at least once, abused an illegal substance. It has been estimated that at any time, between 2% and 5% of American adults either abuse or are addicted to illicit drugs. This paper discusses the signs and symptoms of alcohol addiction, the family dynamics involved in chemically dependent families, the medical model and the disease concept of chemical dependency. The concept of codependency is also discussed along with different treatment models including the peer support 12 step programs.

Table of Contents

Introduction4

Body: Discussion and Analysis4

Signs and Symptoms of Alcohol Addiction4

Family Dynamics in Alcohol Addiction5

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)6

The Medical Model of Addiction7

Addiction as a Disease7

Codependency8

Conclusion8

References9

Alcohol Addiction

Introduction

Substance Dependence can be explained as a maladaptive pattern of substance use heading to clinically important distress or impairment, distinguished by a number of the characteristics as follows: tolerance; well-defined physiological symptoms upon withdrawal; escalating use; increasing time spent obtaining, using, and recovering from use; persistent desire or unsuccessful attempts to stop use; disregard for important social, occupational, or recreational activities; and continued use despite the knowledge of physical or psychological problems related to substance use. A rapidly growing area of concern is addiction to prescription medications. Such abuse can be described as medications taken by somebody else and not by the patient for whom the medication was prescribed, or taken in a way or dosage instead of what was prescribed. Abuse can initiate addiction.

Body: Discussion and Analysis

Signs and Symptoms of Alcohol Addiction

Some of the signs of alcohol and drug addiction include: “preoccupancy with the chemical usage between periods of use; usage of more of the chemical than had expected; tolerance development to the chemical being considered; a characteristic withdrawal syndrome from the chemical; usage of the chemical to prevent or control symptoms of withdrawal; repeated efforts to cut back or stop the drug use; intoxication at inappropriate times (such as at works) or when withdrawal interferes with daily functioning (hangover makes a person too sick to go to work); a reduction in social, occupational or recreational activities in favor of further substance use; continuing chemical use even though the individual suffers social, emotional or physical problems related to drug use.” (p. 13)

Any combination of four or above of these signs is applied for the identification of the individual who is said to be suffering from the disease of addiction.

Family Dynamics in Alcohol Addiction

Alcohol addiction in the family is considered present when at least one family member suffers from an alcohol use disorder. It is now well recognized that alcohol addiction affects not only the afflicted individual but also the health and well-being of others in the family system of the alcoholic individual. Indeed, some of the most deleterious effects of alcohol misuse are saved for family members who often do not even drink, including spouses and children. Couples in which one partner abuses alcohol usually have distressed relationships and markedly poor communication ...