Alcoholism
Alcoholism: Substance Abuse
Alexisa Storms
HCA / 250
May 25, 2014
Professor Womble
“Alcoholism and alcohol abuse are among the most common, devastating, and costly problems in the United States” (Caron 2013). Alcoholism is something that can be hidden or easy to spot. Alcohol can affect your psychology health and physical health. Some people are not even aware that they are either boarder line alcoholics or have become one fully. There are ways to identify the signs, know the risk factors, acknowledge the sociocultural factors, treatment options, and what necessary lifestyle changes need to be made to stop and prevent this illness. There are many risk factors that play a role when deciding is someone is or is becoming an alcoholic. One night of drinking and partying can change a person’s life forever. Once you have the substance into your system, you might continue to crave it, which will start leading you to become an alcoholic. Other risk factors or characteristics that are may play a role in whether someone will become an alcoholic are age, family history, depression and/or mental health, social and cultural factors, and even mixing medications with alcohol. Although drinking at any age could start someone to become an alcoholic, but it is more common for people in their early ages to most likely to be more of a higher risk. It is proven that if there is alcoholism in one’s family history, for example, mother, father or even grandparent that the future generations are at risk to becoming an alcoholic. Someone who is depressed or that has a mental disorder, such as bipolar, can be at risk. If a person is constantly hanging around certain social groups that are always drinking, it may lead to becoming an alcoholic. It goes back to the old saying, “you are who you hang around.” It goes for also coming from a certain cultural that is known for their drinking habits, such as Indians and Germans. Along with any risk factor there
Alexisa Storms
HCA / 250
May 25, 2014
Professor Womble
“Alcoholism and alcohol abuse are among the most common, devastating, and costly problems in the United States” (Caron 2013). Alcoholism is something that can be hidden or easy to spot. Alcohol can affect your psychology health and physical health. Some people are not even aware that they are either boarder line alcoholics or have become one fully. There are ways to identify the signs, know the risk factors, acknowledge the sociocultural factors, treatment options, and what necessary lifestyle changes need to be made to stop and prevent this illness. There are many risk factors that play a role when deciding is someone is or is becoming an alcoholic. One night of drinking and partying can change a person’s life forever. Once you have the substance into your system, you might continue to crave it, which will start leading you to become an alcoholic. Other risk factors or characteristics that are may play a role in whether someone will become an alcoholic are age, family history, depression and/or mental health, social and cultural factors, and even mixing medications with alcohol. Although drinking at any age could start someone to become an alcoholic, but it is more common for people in their early ages to most likely to be more of a higher risk. It is proven that if there is alcoholism in one’s family history, for example, mother, father or even grandparent that the future generations are at risk to becoming an alcoholic. Someone who is depressed or that has a mental disorder, such as bipolar, can be at risk. If a person is constantly hanging around certain social groups that are always drinking, it may lead to becoming an alcoholic. It goes back to the old saying, “you are who you hang around.” It goes for also coming from a certain cultural that is known for their drinking habits, such as Indians and Germans. Along with any risk factor there
References: American Heart Association (2014). “Alcohol and Heart Disease” Retrieved from website: http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/GettingHealthy/NutritionCenter/HealthyEating/Alcohol-and-Heart-Disease_UCM_305173_Article.jsp Caron (2013). “Alcohol Stats”. Retrieved from website: http://www.caron.org/knowledge-library/statistics-outcomes/alcohol-stats?WT.mc_id=GrantsPPC&gclid=CMnnluTrx74CFYdrfgodZwYAxQ Curiosity (2011). “Who is at risk to become an alcoholic?” Retrieved from website: http://curiosity.discovery.com/question/who-at-risk-alcholism MayoClinic (2014). “Alcoholism” Retrieved from website: http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/alcoholism/basics/definition/con-20020866