Alcoholism a Social Problem?
The Social Problem The social problem that was identified in the helping relationship is a return to alcohol use or relapse. The participant in the helping project admitted she had been in substance abuse treatment twice, but was unable to remain abstinent from alcohol use. This, according to her is a relapse, however, Miller (1996) identifies relapse as a return to alcohol and/or drug dependent behavior in a person who has previously achieved and maintained abstinence for a significant period of time beyond withdrawal. Unfortunately, the participant was unable to remain abstinent for any significant period of time, therefore does not meet the definition of relapse. Hence, we will discuss relapse, but the core social problem and primary focus of this assignment is Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD). Society assumes relapses is an isolated event, but Marlatt and Gordon (1985) imply that it is a process that begins when an individual becomes unable to cope with life in sobriety and can no longer avoid using alcohol or other drugs. This process is often preceded by warning signs that start well before the person actually drinks alcohol or uses drugs. Gorski and Miller (1982) identified that there are 11 warning signs that lead to relapse, such as: the return of denial, defensiveness, irritability or restlessness, anxiety or depression. These emotions can lead to behaviors such as seeking out people with whom they used alcohol or other drugs, visiting places where alcohol is sold, and participating in activities that previously involved alcohol or drug use. Relapse, as a social problem, would be a debatable if people drank alcohol in a responsible manner, however according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (2002), more than half of the adult U.S. population drank alcohol in the past 30 days. Interestingly, approximately 5% of the total population drank heavily, while 15% of the population binge drank. From 2001–2005, there
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