Among the most widespread mental disorders in the world, Alcohol Use Disorders (AUD) tops the list. Distinguished as a co-morbid factor which exacerbates other pertinent psychosocial disturbances, AUD is an astounding threat to the fabric of society entirely. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, 86.4 percent of individuals over the age of 18 reported having tasted alcohol at some point in their lives in America. This abysmal statistic is further compounded by the fact that 70.1 percent of American adults in a year drank alcohol and 56.0 percent of them in a month. The symptomology of AUD is diverse and multiple. While some may have a perspective that alcohol might not have adverse effects, on the contrary, the opposite is true. Often, the symptoms indicating disorders present themselves subtly. Among the significant symptoms includes an insatiable appetite to consume more alcohol normally for a period that is non-intended for the user. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V), clearly indicates the symptomology of alcohol use disorders. In their assessment, these symptoms range widely and involve numerous indicators (Regier, Kuhl & Kupfer, 2013). Above all, the most persistent symptoms that accompany alcohol thirst are; using alcohol in unsafe situations, developing tolerance and being unable to control the amount of alcohol consumed. In regards to the etiology of AUD on a bio-psycho-social sense, scientists the world over have premised that alcoholism has a genetic origin. Other bio-psychosocial etiologies include augmented drug tolerance, chronic or mild depression and hormonal imbalances, which may lead to obsessive-compulsive tendencies.
Although Alcohol Use Disorder is detrimental to an individual’s health and sanity, there are many varied treatment options. These treatment options may be different from person to person. Aside from regular detoxification, withdrawal processes, and counseling, two primary treatment options play a central role in eradicating AUD: psychological counseling and the use of medications. In AUD treatment, medication comes in two forms, the first being oral medications. These include drugs such as disulfiram (Antabuse), which are ingested, and subsequently, prevent an individual from drinking. The second form of medication is through injected drugs. Here, Vivitrol, a similar version of the drug Naltrexone and many others are used ("Alcohol use disorder: Heavy drinking leads to a host of problems", 2017). Moreover, injection as a form of medication makes it easier for people to attain full recoveries from alcohol use disorders. In psychological counseling, treatment takes the form of establishing treatment plans, learning new skills and the continued support of friends and family. Additionally, through professional psychological counseling, patients are able to get proper directives on how to overcome their disorder. Failure to treat AUD in time results in long-term consequences such as severe Alcoholic Liver Disease (ALD), alcohol-induced pancreatitis and other cancerous conditions and much more. What further exacerbates alcoholic effects is the consumption of alcohol by pregnant mothers. Maternal alcohol is highly potent, especially for the unborn child. Once the alcohol enters the mother’s bloodstream, it reaches the fetus as well, causing damaging effects such as reduced fetal development (Wagstaff & Therivel, 2015).
Delegate your assignment to our experts and they will do the rest.
In conclusion, being the most prevalent mental disorder worldwide, alcohol use disorders remain to be a threat to the delicate societal fabric. Inasmuch as alcoholism has a biological etiology, most of its causes stem from psychosocial reasons, thereby, making it incumbent for all to understand its morbid influence.
References
Alcohol use disorder: Heavy drinking leads to host of problems . (2017). Mayo Clinic . Retrieved 17 August 2017, from http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/alcohol-use-disorder/basics/treatment/con-20020866
Regier, D., Kuhl, E., & Kupfer, D. (2013). The DSM-5: Classification and criteria changes. World Psychiatry , 12 (2), 92-98. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/wps.20050
Wagstaff, J., & Therivel, J. (2015). Alcohol Abuse during Pregnancy . Glendale, CA: Cinahl Information Systems.
