Alcoholism
By: Andrew Owens
Students in College
What is Alcoholism?
When a person drinks over and over knowing the consequences they will face.
No control over the amount of time they drink
Possible to have a drinking problem without being an alcoholic
The Disease Itself
Anyone can get it
Does Not discriminate
Tough disease to fight
Isn't just a simple fix
Can be different depending on the person
Signs of Alcoholism
Neglect responsibilities
Use Alcohol in dangerous situation
Use of alcohol to relax
Signs of Alcoholism
Repeated arrests due to alcohol
Excess drinking and high tolerances
Loss of control while drinking
Causes
Can Be learned through family members who are alcoholics
Failure in work school or relationships
Causes
Death of a relative or friend
Social Pressure
General Statistics Percentage who have had atleast one drink
Women= 59.6%
Men= 71.8%
Percentage who have never had a drink
Women= 22.5%
Men= 11.6%
Percentage of binge drinkers( consume 4-5+ drinks within 2 hours at least once
Women= 28.8%
Men= 43.1%
Stress Impact
People will try to dull
side effects with
alcohol
Stressors can make
alcohol abuse worse
Students may have a rough week and just want to forget
it
Stress Impact
People try to hide real life stress
with alcohol
Stress can cause a relapse
Stress of wanting to
drink
Complications
Motor vehicle accidents
Poor work performance or school grades decline
Domestic abuse
Health Risks
Liver Disease
Hepatitis, Cirrhosis
Heart problems
High BP
Bone loss
Osteoporosis
Increase risk of Cancer
Mouth, throat, liver, colon, and breast.
Who Gets It?
Anyone can get it!
People surrounded by drinkers
People with a lot of stress
People who try to fit in with the crowd of partiers
How it Develops
Develops over time
Stress or unhappiness in life can increase drinking
People gradually need more alcohol to get the same effect
Chronic Disease
Non communicable- cannot catch it like a cold
People can relapse easily
Disease can run through the a family of drinkers
Treatments
RehabGroup
Therapy
Medication
Rehab
Patients can detox and get help
They go for a certain length of time Depending on severity
Doctors and staff help patients with withdrawal symptoms
Usually a step by step process to follow
Medication
Disulfiram -produces a physical reaction that may include flushing, nausea, vomiting and headaches
Naltrexone - blocks the good feelings alcohol causes
Acamprosate - may help you combat alcohol cravings
Group therapy
Most well know is AA Alcoholics Anonymous
Place where people can come together and work out their battles with alcoholism
Usually a meeting setting open and not private
Moderators help patients express their difficulties
Life Style Changes Alcoholic
Social situation Make know to your friends you are not drinking
Develop healthy habits Eat good, sleep well, exercise
Do activities not centered around alcohol Go outdoors, explore, get away from the city
Prevention
Must set limits for yourself Couple drinks or DD
Do not succumb to peer pressure Just Say NO
Reach out to friends and family before alcohol
Works Cited
https://ncadd.org/index.php
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000944.htm
http://www.aa.org/
http://www.madd.org/