Alcohol Abuse :: essays research papers

Alcohol AbuseAlcohol abuse is a very dangerous condition in that it can cause manyproblems in a persons life and affect many aspects of their lifestyle.Alcoholism (or alcohol abuse) roughhow effects everyones life at some point intime through a parent, a sibling, a friend, or even personal encounters.Alcohol abuse, as a medical diagnosis, refers to a pattern of behaviorcharacterized by excessive alcohol consumption. This consumption can occur atregular intervals, regular weekend intervals, or during binges, which areconsidered as being intoxicated for at least two successive days. Difficulty instopping, reducing the amount of alcohol use, and impaired kindly/occupational bureau functioning are all characteristics of alcohol abuse.A number of theories in the medical feild are used to explain alcoholabuse. These are the biologic-genetic stick, learning/social model, thepsychodynamic model, and the multidimensional model (McFarland 457). Eachdifferent model, for alcoholism have vari ed explanations as to how and whypeople use and abuse alcohol.The biologic-genetic model states that there is a specific geneticvulnerability for alcoholism. There has been extensive studies on factors inthe genes that could determine or influence the use of alcohol from generationto generation. However, these studies have shown no hard evidence for anassociation between alcoholism and inherited factors.The learning and social model proposes that alcoholism is a processthat is slowly developed at bottom a social situation or atmosphere. This model ofalcoholism has also been researched by using both human and animal subjects. Aconditioning model of alcohol tolerance has demonstrated that specific cues fromthe environment such as odor, sight, and taste, produce a stimulus that resultsin alcohol consumption. If ethanol, the addictive ingredient in alcohol , isnot supplied, a psychological compensatory response called a craving is produced.The psychodynamic model of alcoholism proposes that problematic childrearing practices produce psychosexual maldevelopment and addiction/independececonflicts. It is believed that while habitual alcohol use is in process, thehabitual drinker may use behavior such as exaggeration, denial, rationalization,and affiliation with socially abnormal groups. Results of these behaviors mayinclude decreased work efficiency, job loss, alienation of friends and family,or even hospitalization.The multidimensional model of alcoholism combines the interaction ofbiological, behavioral, and sociocultural factors. These three factors erect together to make the strongest model, in which most alcoholics fit.The biological model relates to the progression from occasional initial relief imbibition, to the increase of tolerance, and from loss of memory during heavydrinking periods to an urgency of drinking. The behavioral model is helpful inthe identification of high-risk situations, in which alcoholics are most likely