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Research Paper
Assignment 4.1
Research Paper

National University, Los Angeles

An Assignment submitted to
Instructor: Michael Haggood
HED 602
Introductory Health Education: K-12
In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of a Bachelors Degree
In Child Development

Alcoholism I believe that alcoholism is an important concern not only to me but too many different people. Alcoholism does not distinguish by age, race, color or origin. Anyone can become an alcoholic and it can be caused by many different factors. Research concludes that it can not only be genetic but it can also be influenced by environmental factors. For me it is a big concern because it has greatly damaged my family. My father was an alcoholic for many years and I believe the disease was the cause to his death. He became diabetic, had heart disease and suffered many strokes. As I researched this topic I discovered that those chronic diseases were influenced by alcoholism.
According to the text it defines alcoholism “a disease in which there is physical and psychological dependence on alcohol. Alcohol dependence is another term for alcoholism.” (2009, pg302).
Alcoholism includes four symptoms:
• Craving- A strong need, or urge to drink.
• Loss of control-Not being able to stop drinking once drinking has begun.
Physical dependence- Withdrawal symptoms, such as nausea, sweating, shakiness, and anxiety after stopping drinking
• Tolerance- The need to drink greater amounts of alcohol to get “high.”
Alcoholism is the cause to many different factors, changes the persons personality when drinking may endanger the drinker by putting him/herself in dangerous situations, such as drinking and driving that might end up in an accident, injuring themselves or others. The text discusses the effects of alcohol withdrawal syndrome; this is when the body reacts to the sudden stopping of drinking. Some symptoms that



Cited: British Medical Association BMA, article Alcohol and Young People, Health 1999 Prevention Alert, Vol. 5 Number 6 May 10, 2002. National Center for Chronic Disease Meeks, Linda B. Philip Heit, and Randy Page. Comprehensive School Health Education: Totally Awesome Strategies for Teaching Health, Sixth Edition, New York: McGraw-Hill, 2009.

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