The intrinsic goal of every human is to extend their life to a certain length. However, in the process of living, human beings are presented with many options to choose from on what to introduce into their bodies. Healthy behavior advocates argue that positively healthy behaviors extend longevity, allow one to remain productive for a long time, even well into their advanced ages, and as such, they do not lose mobility, sight, and control of their body faculties, allowing independence in their lives at advanced ages ( Cund, 2013 ). The importance of healthy behavior is that it allows people to adopt healthy habits and consequentially live longer and free of diseases.
This presentation will focus on the health behavior of alcoholism. The choice of alcoholism is informed by the subtlety in which alcohol consumption has been considered in the mainstream argument about healthy behaviors, with many politically correct statements often positing ‘do not drink and drive,’ ‘excessive alcohol consumption is harmful to your health, drink responsibly,’ and ‘do not drink and drive.’ The premise of this presentation is that alcohol consumption is harmful even if only a pint is taken.
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The 2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) findings confirmed that 85.6% of Americans aged above eighteen confirmed that they had consumed alcohol at some point in their lives, with an astonishing 69.5% confirming that within the past two years, they had consumed the drug (NIAAA, 2021). While these figures do not make highlights as alarming statistics, when they are juxtaposed with other figures on drug consumption, the disparities are evident. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (2019) reported that 127 million people in the U.S. (about 38%) have abused bhang, the most commonly abuse drug behind tobacco. The most alarming aspect is that in consideration of the deaths caused by these drugs, CDC states that alcohol-related deaths are 261 per day, while the scientific consensus is that dying from marijuana is highly unlikely (CDC, 2021). In general, alcohol is the second-highest killer drug behind tobacco (CDC, 2021). Yet, the irony of it is that it is legal, unregulated once an individual reaches the ‘drinking age’ and available in dinner tables in many homes. There is a notion that alcohol is safe. This has discouraged a conversation surrounding its consumption, and it has become a staple in every home, party, public events, and other social gatherings.
Alcohol consumption is passed as healthy to improve digestion. However, its consumption, even in the smallest amount presumed to assist digestion is harmful. According to (Ramesh, 2002), alcohol inhibits the ability of the gut to absorb nutrients, as well as denaturing digestive enzymes. It wears down the digestive tract, in the long run, not to mention the direct prone to irrationality in thinking and accidents. This presentation thus addresses this issue through a detailed script of the promotional behavioral treatment plan. Unhealthy alcohol consumption is a broad issue. This presentation narrows down to discourage drinking of alcohol entirely, since, the facts of alcohol effects negate the fallacy of responsible drinking.
The Tool
This tool is a behavioral treatment plan suggested for therapists so that they can address all alcohol consumers. For generalization and universal applicability, a group of individuals with the varying intake of alcohol will be used as an example, a representative of the community of alcohol consumers.
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Maladaptive (Target) Behaviors Identifying and Measuring Baseline Rates of Occurrence Consumption of alcohol (frequently, daily) Alcohol Intoxication (frequently upon contact) The belief that alcohol, if taken in small amounts, is healthy for the digestive system. (undefined) |
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Formulate Treatment Contract Individual psychotherapy sessions with a professional psychologist (cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT, with or without criminal thinking curriculum) or dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)). Psychopharmacologic therapies: Use of drugs and psychological options (antipsychotic, antidepressant, and mood-stabilizing, medications appetizers,). Nutritionists advise on the best alternatives to alcohol to aid digestive issues. In the case of addicted alcoholics, there is a need of charting observed improvements periodically. |
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Short-Term Goals Reduced alcohol intake for addicted alcoholics. Reduced withdrawal symptoms for alcoholics. Fewer frequencies of alcohol intake for addicts. Assimilation of healthy dietary habits if the individuals who take alcohol alongside foods under the fallacy that it is healthy in smaller proportions. Self-care, better hygiene, improved conscience, beginning to create a bond with peers, and development of support groups to address the issues related to fallacies about responsible drinking, health benefits of alcohol, and any related alcohol issues. |
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Long-Term Goals Complete reform: improvements in health outcomes, predicted recovery from alcoholism, better judgment, and other health benefits. Less focus on an antipsychotic, antidepressant, and mood-stabilizing medications, and more focus on psychoanalysis and the benefits of healthy lifestyles absent alcohol. Better socialization, better bonding by recovering addicts. |
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Plan The following is suitable when applied to address the situation: Although the approach is like a group objective, the overall outcome should focus on individualized therapy, psychoanalysis of every alcohol consumer in question, and medication. Creating a medication schedule that matches with the individual health needs. Noting all improvements (or lack of thereof) periodically, against a chart, and communicating the effectiveness of the methodologies applied to the authorities involved. For each improvement, a reward should be given to everyone who makes significant progress to encourage positive responses. |
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Other contingency measures Other contingency measures will be employed as necessary during treatment sessions to ensure the safety of staff and other people involved. Ensuring everyone is safely medicated when necessary. |
The Relevance of this Behavioral Treatment Plan to Recovery
This treatment plan addresses many issues that are relevant for all alcohol users. Although alcohol is assumed to have little effects if consumed in small amounts, their dilemma is that there is no specific definition for ‘small amounts’ which leaves the definition to the discretion of the alcohol consumers. This plan is universal, addresses all consumers, and can be applied with specificity to alcohol addicts (alcoholics) and regular alcohol consumers.
The emphasis of this plan is that healthy habits must eliminate all elements that discourage healthy living. Alcohol has immense effects on the body system. For instance, it is a catalyst of many liver diseases, causes liver inflammation, hepatitis, fibrosis, and liver cirrhosis, as well as liver cancer (SAMHSA, 2017). Considering the essence of the liver on human health, it is logical that anything that has such potential threats to the liver must be abstained.
As noted, the effects of alcohol are not only on health but also psychological. However, this is majorly common among heavy drinkers. Alcohol is a depressant. It can also be a sedative or cause hyperactivity (SAMHSA, 2017). This points to the fact that alcohol affects the proper functioning of the brain, thus inhibiting proper decision making, breathing, speech, and memory. Excessive consumption can lead to depression, bipolar disorders, alcohol-induced sleep disorder, and upon withdrawal, the effects may be fatal (SAMHSA, 2017).
Considering the statistics about the fatalities caused by alcohol consumption, alongside the popularity of alcohol, and then, the health effects of alcohol consumption, it is logical to state that alcohol consumption must be avoided at all costs. Nutritionists and physiologists all agree that it affects the body negatively, and leaves no traces of positive outcomes. The normalization of alcohol as ‘fun’ and ‘harmless’ is a behavior that should be corrected.
References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). Alcohol-Related Deaths . Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved 6 May 2021, from https://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/features/excessive-alcohol-deaths.html#:~:text=Excessive%20alcohol%20use%20is%20responsible,years%20of%20potential%20life%20lost.
Cund, A. (2013). Alcohol education revisited: exploring how much time we devote to alcohol education in the nursing curriculum. Nurse Education in Practice , 13 (1), 35-39Miller, P. M. (2013). Principles of addiction: Comprehensive addictive behaviors and disorders, Volume 1 (Vol. 1). Academic Press.
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA). (2021). Alcohol Facts and Statistics | . Niaaa.nih.gov. Retrieved 6 May 2021, from https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/brochures-and-fact-sheets/alcohol-facts-and-statistics#:~:text=Prevalence%20of%20Drinking%3A%20According%20to,in%20this%20age%20group%20and.
NIDA. 2021, April 20. What is the scope of marijuana use in the United States?. Retrieved from https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/research-reports/marijuana/what-scope-marijuana-use-in-united-states on 2021, May 6
Ramesh Shivani, M.D., R. Jeffrey Goldsmith, M.D., and Robert M. Anthenelli, M.D. (2002). Alcoholism and Psychiatric Disorders. Alcohol Research & Health . 26(2): 90-98.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). (2017). The National Survey on Drug Use and Health.
