Alcoholism Essays (1948 words) - Alcohol Abuse, Free Essays

Alcoholism Essays (1948 words) - Alcohol Abuse, Free Essays Alcoholism CUNNING, BAFFLING, POWERFUL, PATIENT AND DEADLY Alcoholism: Today's substance abuse, whether alcohol or drugs, continues to be a major social problem. Common patterns occur in all forms of substance abuse. While some types of substance abuse problems are slightly different in terms of causes and cures, experts agree that there are some do's and don'ts which relate to kicking the abuse habit. If you or a loved one have a substance abuse problem, this article can give you sound advice on understanding what substance abuse is, and what to do about it. In this article, we will refer to alcohol, although the word drug may be used synonymously in place of alcohol. What is Alcoholism? Alcoholism is a primary, chronic disease with genetic, psychosocial, and environmental factors influencing its development and manifestations. The disease is often progressive and fatal. It is characterized by continuous or periodic: impaired control over drinking, preoccupation with the drug alcohol, use of alcohol despite adverse consequences, and distortions in thinking, most notably denial. The rational for continued use of alcohol is centered on, Common addiction distortions. MENTAL FILTER:Magnify the negative details and eliminate the positive.E.g. - using alcohol is so incredible. It is the most pleasurable thing I know. (filter out the negative effects) POLARIZED THINKING: Things are black and white, good or bad. You are perfect or a complete failure.E.g. - My life would be void of pleasure with out alcohol. OVERGENERAL- ZATIONTo come to a general conclusion based on a single incident or piece of evidence.E.g. - Alcohol has made for some great times with friends. I must have alcohol in order to capitalize on the potential for fun. MIND READINGYou think you are able to define how people are thinking about you.E.g. - People will not like me if I give up alcohol. There is a side that come out that is very attractive. CATASTROPHIC EXAGGERATIONYou expect disaster, and disaster means the end of the world. E.g. - I won't be able to tolerate the discomfort of sobriety I AM CONTROLLEDYou feel externally controlled, you see yourself as helpless and a victim of fate. E.g. - The alcohol makes my days tolerable, without it, I'll not be able to function. I MUST CONTROLYou feel that control is an all or nothing thing. Any ease on the reins will result in a fall so disastrous you will never regain control.E.g. - Without alcohol I may get depressed, and I will never be able to come out of it. BLAMINGYou hold other people responsible for your pain.E.g. - If I give up my drinking, I will be a bare wire, forced to face my abuse riddled past. These are common patterns of substance addiction, keeping in mind that most alcoholics are unwilling to admit they are real alcoholics and fit into one or more of these categories. No person likes to think he is bodily and mentally different from other people. Therefore, it is not surprising that their drinking careers have been characterized by countless vain attempts to prove they could drink like other people. The idea that somehow, someday they will control and enjoy their drinking is the great obsession of every abnormal drinker. The persistence of this illusion is astonishing. Many pursue it into the gates of insanity or death. The John Hopkins University Hospital in Baltimore uses the following questions as a test for alcoholism. #YesNo 1Do you loose time from work due to drinking? 2Is drinking making your home life unhappy? 3Do you drink because you are shy with other people? 4Is drinking affecting you reputation? 5Have you ever felt remorse after drinking? 6Have you gotten into financial difficulties as a result of drinking? 7Do you turn to lower companions and an inferior environment when drinking? 8Does your drinking make you careless of your family's welfare? 9Has your ambition decreased since drinking? 10Do you crave a drink at a definite time daily? 11Do you want a drink the next morning? 12Does drinking cause you to have difficulty in sleeping? 13Has your efficiency decreased since drinking? 14Is drinking jeopardizing your job or business? 15Do you drink to escape from worries or troubles? 16Do you drink alone? 17Have you ever had a complete loss of memory because of drinking? 18Has your physician ever treated you for drinking? 19Do you drink to build your self-confidence? 20Have you ever been to a hospital or institution on account of