Essay on Alcohol Abuse

Free Alcohol Abuse papers

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Alcohol Abuse

Alcohol abuse is a very dangerous condition in that it can cause many

problems in a persons life and affect many aspects of their lifestyle.

Alcoholism (or alcohol abuse) somehow effects everyone's life at some point in

time; through a parent, a sibling, a friend, or even personal encounters.

Alcohol abuse, as a medical diagnosis, refers to a pattern of behavior

characterized by excessive alcohol consumption. This consumption can occur at

regular intervals, regular weekend intervals, or during binges, which are

considered as being intoxicated for at least two successive days. Difficulty in

stopping, reducing the amount of alcohol use, and impaired social/occupational

role functioning are all characteristics of alcohol abuse.

A number of theories in the medical feild are used to explain alcohol

abuse. These are the biologic-genetic model, learning/social model, the

psychodynamic model, and the multidimensional model (McFarland 457). Each

different model, for alcoholism have varied explanations as to how and why

people use and abuse alcohol.

The biologic-genetic model states that there is a specific genetic

vulnerability for alcoholism. There has been extensive studies on factors in

the genes that could determine or influence the use of alcohol from generation

to generation. However, these studies have shown no hard evidence for an

association between alcoholism and inherited factors.

The learning and social model proposes that alcoholism is a process

that is slowly developed within a social situation or atmosphere. This model of

alcoholism has also been researched by using both human and animal subjects. A

conditioning model of alcohol tolerance has demonstrated that specific cues from

the environment such as odor, sight, and taste, produce a stimulus that results

in alcohol consumption. If ethanol, the addictive ingredient in alcohol , is

not supplied, a psychological compensatory response called a craving is produced.

The psychodynamic model of alcoholism proposes that problematic child

rearing practices produce psychosexual maldevelopment and dependence/independece

conflicts. It is believed that while habitual alcohol use is in process, the

habitual drinker may use behavior such as exaggeration, denial, rationalization,

and affiliation with socially deviant groups. Results of these behaviors may

include decreased work efficiency, job loss, alienation of friends and family,

or even hospitalization.

The...