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Top: Health: Alcoholism_:
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Alcoholism (8)
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Alcoholism is a medically recognized disease. Therefore if you or someone you know suffers from Alcoholism there is a wide range of treatment available. Counseling and support groups, rehabilitation organizations, even medications can all be used to help battle Alcoholism. Alcoholism can cause a huge amount of damage to a person??s life. Alcoholism affects not only the user but also the friends and loved ones surrounding that individual.
If you truly desire help to end Alcoholism it is important to deal with an organization that knows what it is doing. Research the organizations you think you may wish to use, make sure they have a philosophy you agree with and offer the kind of support and program you want. The organizations on this page are some of the leaders in this area!
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Sites:
» About the New York State Office of Alcoholism andSubstance Abuse Services (NYS OASAS)  -
About OASAS
1450 Western Avenue
Albany, NY 12203
General Info: 518-485-1768
EMail: communications@oasas.state.ny.us
Overseeing the nation’s largest and most diverse addiction system
Providing accessible, cost-effective quality services
Strengthening communities, schools and families through prevention
Improving lives through treatment
Meeting Individual needs through specialized services
Fostering partnerships for improved services
Linking programs with research to improve results
Planning for the future to improve and strengthen prevention and treatment
Promoting a productive, well-trained workforce
Providing hope for happier, productive lives
» Alcoholism - Alcohol Abuse - eMedicine Health -
Alcoholism Overview
Alcohol problems vary in severity from mild to life threatening and affect the individual, the person's family, and society in numerous adverse ways. Despite all of the focus on drugs such as cocaine, alcohol remains the number one drug problem in the United States. According to community surveys, over 13% of adults in the United States will experience alcohol abuse or dependence (also referred to as alcoholism) at some point in their lives.
Withdrawal, for those physically dependent on alcohol, is much more dangerous than withdrawal from heroin or other narcotic drugs.
Alcohol abuse refers to excessive or problematic use with one or more of the following:
Failure to fulfill major obligations at work, school, or home
Recurrent use in situations where it is hazardous (such as driving a car or operating machinery)
Legal problems
Continued use of alcohol despite having social, family, or interpersonal problems caused by or worsened by drinking
Alcohol dependence refers to a more serious disorder and involves excessive or maladaptive use leading to 3 or more of the following:
Tolerance changes (need for more to achieve desired effect, or achieving the effect with lesser amounts of alcohol)
Withdrawal symptoms following a reduction or cessation of drinking (such as sweating, rapid pulse, tremors, insomnia, nausea, vomiting, hallucinations, agitation, anxiety, or seizures) or using alcohol to avoid withdrawal symptoms (for example, early morning drinking)
Drinking more alcohol or drinking over a longer period of time than intended (loss of control)
Inability to cut down or stop
Spending a great deal of time drinking or recovering from its effects
Giving up important social, occupational, or recreational activities
Continuing to drink despite knowing alcohol use has caused or worsened problems
» Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research -
This frequently cited multidisciplinary journal provides complete coverage of the etiology, treatment and prevention of alcohol-related disorders. Articles cover all aspects of biomedical alcohol research including genetics and molecular biology; pharmacology and cell metabolism; neurobiological, psychosocial, and developmental correlates of drinking; diagnosis and treatment; epidemiology and prevention; and alcohol effects on the fetus, brain, liver, and other organ systems.
Important Message: Easily submit and review manuscripts online with LWW's Prompt/Editorial Manager. This automated, web-based tool simplifies the manuscript submission and review processes and enables users to electronically submit, review and track manuscripts and artwork online in a few easy steps.
We invite contributors and reviewers to begin using the Prompt/Editorial Manager interface today at http://acer.edmgr.com.
» Drug Addiction Treatment Center Directory Substance Abuse Detox Programs - Alcoholism · Addictions
Mental Health Help
SoberRecovery lists hundreds of addiction treatment and alcoholism treatment resources in the U.S., Canada, and Overseas. Prescription pill detox, Rapid opiate detox clinics using Suboxone and Subutex, medically-managed detoxification, and help and information for heroin, cocaine, alcohol, and crystal meth treatment programs. If you want to stop abusing drugs and alcohol you must have options. Inpatient Residential, Day-Treatment, Outpatient and both 12 Step Programs or 12 Step Alternatives exist and for every individual, there is a way to get sober and stay sober. Young Adults and Troubled Teens don't have to hit the bottom some of us hit. Today there are programs for troubled teens, wildnerss camps, and schools for teenagers struggling with early addiction.
“People do recover, every single day. From alcoholism substance abuse, drug addiction, gambling, trauma, dual diagnosis, overeating, prescription addiction, codependency and more- people do get better.
They rarely do it alone.
If help is what you seek, we hope you'll find it here...”
» NAADAC - The Association for Addiction Professionals -
About NAADAC
NAADAC, the Association for Addiction Professionals, is the largest membership organization serving addiction counselors, educators and other addiction-focused health care professionals, who specialize in addiction prevention, treatment and education. With nearly 11,000 members and 46 state affiliates, NAADAC's network of addiction professionals spans the United States and the world. NAADAC's members work to create healthier families and communities through prevention, intervention and quality treatment.
"NAADAC is the premier global organization of addiction focused professionals who enhance the health and recovery of individuals, families, and communities." - NAADAC Vision Statement adopted 1998
Founded in 1972 as the National Association of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselors, NAADAC was created to represent the interests and concerns of substance abuse counselors. Since then, NAADAC has evolved as a professional membership organization. NAADAC's new name - NAADAC, the Association for Addiction Professionals - reflects the increasing number of tobacco, gambling and other addiction professionals who are active in prevention, intervention, treatment and education.
NAADAC promotes excellence in care by promoting the highest quality and most up-to-date, science-based services to our clients, our families and our communities. NAADAC does this by providing education, clinical training and certification. Among the organization's national certification programs are the National Certified Addiction Counselor, Tobacco Addiction Credential and the Masters Addiction Counselor designations. In the last eight years NAADAC has credentialed more than 15,000 counselors, playing an important role in sustaining quality health care services and protecting the well being of the public.
"NAADAC's Mission is to lead, unify, and empower addiction focused professionals to achieve excellence through education, advocacy, knowledge, standards of practice, ethics, professional development and research." - NAADAC Mission Statement adopted 1998
NAADAC's members are powerful advocates on the front lines, providing care every day to those facing addiction. NAADAC's members provide treatment in a variety of settings: private and public treatment centers, hospitals, private practice, and community-based behavioral health agencies. Science has shown that addiction is a brain disease that responds well to treatment. Any effective drug strategy must incorporate quality prevention and treatment services. Research is providing a better understanding of how drugs, alcohol, tobacco and other chemical substances affect the brain. NAADAC supports continued research and is a powerful advocate for policies improving the understanding of - and financial support for - prevention and treatment of addiction.
Addiction is the number one public health issue in the United States today. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), approximately 22.2 million people aged 12 or older needed treatment for an alcohol or illicit drug problem in 2003. Of those 22.2 million people – almost 10% of the US population - only 1.2 million received treatment for their disorder.
NAADAC is working to make treatment by nationally certified counselors available to every person who needs it. Through government relations and advocacy, membership, and certification, NAADAC keeps you on the cutting edge of the addiction profession. NAADAC's leaders and members are making a difference in the current discussion and perception of addiction issues. Join the 11,000 NAADAC members who are working to make a positive difference.
» National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence -
Founded in 1944 by Marty Mann, the first woman to find long-term sobriety in Alcoholics Anonymous, the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Inc. (NCADD) provides education, information, help and hope to the public. It advocates prevention, intervention and treatment through offices in New York and Washington, and a nationwide network of Affiliates.
For more information about NCADD, or to support our work, please contact us using the email link below.
» eMedicine - Alcoholism : Article by Warren Thompson, MD -
Background: Alcoholism is common, serious, and expensive. Physicians encounter alcohol-related cirrhosis, cardiomyopathy, pancreatitis, and gastrointestinal bleeding, as well as intoxication and alcohol addiction, on a daily basis. Wernicke encephalopathy and Korsakoff psychosis are also important causes of chronic disability. Fetal alcohol syndrome is a leading cause of mental retardation. In addition, accidents (especially automobile), depression, dementia, suicide, and homicide are important consequences of alcoholism.
Alcohol-related diseases are discussed in separate articles. The focus of this article is screening, diagnosis, treatment, and new research findings on the natural history and heritability of alcoholism.
Pathophysiology: Alcohol affects virtually every organ system in the body and, in high doses, can cause coma and death. It affects several neurotransmitter systems in the brain, including opiates, GABA, glutamate, serotonin, and dopamine. Increased opiate levels help explain the euphoric effect of alcohol, while its effects on GABA cause anxiolytic and sedative effects.
Alcohol inhibits the receptor for glutamate. Long-term ingestion results in the synthesis of more glutamate receptors. When alcohol is withdrawn, the central nervous system experiences increased excitability. Persons who abuse alcohol over the long term are more prone to alcohol withdrawal syndrome than persons who have been drinking for only short periods. Brain excitability caused by long-term alcohol ingestion can lead to cell death and cerebellar degeneration, Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome, tremors, alcoholic hallucinosis, delirium tremens, and withdrawal seizures. Opiate receptors are increased in the brains of recently abstinent alcoholic patients, and the number of receptors correlates with cravings for alcohol.
Frequency:
In the US: These statistics are based on the US National Longitudinal Alcohol Epidemiologic Study. Alcoholism is prevalent in 20% of adult hospital inpatients. One in 6 patients in community-based primary care practices had problem drinking. The following apply to the US adult population:
Current drinkers - 44%
Former drinkers - 22%
Lifetime abstainers - 34%
Abuse and dependency in the past year - 7.5-9.5%
Lifetime prevalence - 13.5-23.5%
Alcoholism is slightly more common in lower income and less educated groups. Vaillant studied the natural history of alcoholism and the differences between college-educated and inner-city alcoholic persons. He followed 2 cohorts (over 400 patients) of alcoholic patients over many years.
According to Vaillant's research, inner-city men began problem drinking approximately 10 years earlier than college graduates (age 25-30 y vs age 40-45 y). Inner-city men were more likely to be abstinent from alcohol consumption (30% vs 10%) but more likely to die (30% vs 15%) from drinking than college graduates. A large percentage of college graduates alternated between controlled drinking and alcohol abuse for many years. Returning to controlled drinking from alcohol abuse is uncommon, no more than 10%; however, this figure is likely to be high because it was obtained from self-reported data. Mortality in both groups was related strongly to smoking. Abstinence for less than 5-6 years did not predict continued abstinence (41% of men abstinent for 2 y relapsed).
Internationally: The World Health Organization examined mental disorders in primary care offices and found that alcohol dependence or harmful use was present in 6% of patients. In Britain, 1 in 3 patients in community-based primary care practices had at-risk drinking behavior. Alcoholism is more common in France than it is in Italy, despite virtually identical per capita alcohol consumption.
Mortality/Morbidity: Alcohol use is the third leading cause of preventable death in the United States (after smoking and obesity). Annually, 85,000 deaths are attributable to alcohol at a cost of $185 billion. Almost half of these deaths are attributable to alcohol-related injury.
Four percent of the global burden of disease is attributable to alcohol. This figure rises to 7% in North America, Europe, Japan, and Australia and to 12% in Eastern Europe and Central Asia. Worldwide, alcohol is responsible for a percentage of a number of conditions, as follows:
Cirrhosis - 32%
Motor vehicle accidents - 20%
Mouth and oropharyngeal cancers - 19%
Esophageal cancer - 29%
Liver cancer - 25%
Breast cancer - 7%
Homicides - 24%
Suicides - 11%
Hemorrhagic stroke - 10%
Below are the statistically significant relative risks from a study by the American Cancer Society for men and women who consume 4 or more drinks daily. A drink is defined as one 12-oz beer, one 4- to 5-oz glass of wine, or one mixed drink containing 1.5 oz of spirits (80 proof). The relative risk for the noted maladies with consumption of 4 or more drinks daily is as follows:
Cirrhosis - For men, 7.5; for women, 4.8
Injuries - For men, 1.3
Ear, nose, and throat cancer; esophagus cancer; liver cancer - For men, 2.8; for women, 3
Moderate alcohol consumption (1-2 drinks/d) reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease in men and women by approximately 30%. The effect of heavy alcohol consumption on the risk of cardiovascular disease varies in different studies. The person's drinking pattern appears to have an effect on cardiovascular disease. Drinking with meals may reduce the risk, while binge drinking increases risk (even in otherwise moderate drinkers).
Moderate alcohol consumption appears to increase the risk of breast cancer in women. Total mortality is reduced with moderate alcohol consumption but not with heavy alcohol consumption; the cardiovascular benefit is offset by cirrhosis, cancer, and injuries. The amount of alcohol associated with the lowest mortality appears to be 2 drinks per day in men and 1 drink or fewer per day in women. Moderate alcohol consumption reduces the risk of developing diabetes, but heavy alcohol consumption may increase the risk. The cardiovascular benefit becomes important in men older than 40 years and in women older than 50 years. The risk of hypertension is increased with 3 or more drinks daily.
No benefits are noted in people at low risk for coronary disease (men <40 y and women <50 y). Recent data suggest an increase in coronary calcification with moderate alcohol consumption in young adults. This effect was exacerbated by binge drinking.
Of men aged 18-25 years, 60% binge drink. (Binge drinking is defined as 5 alcoholic drinks for men [4 for women] in a row.) Binge drinking significantly increases the risk of injury and contracting sexually transmitted diseases. Women who binge drink at this age are at higher risk of becoming pregnant and potentially harming an unborn child. (Any amount of alcohol consumption during pregnancy is risky.)
More than three quarters of all foster children in the United States are children of alcohol- or drug-dependent parents. From 60-70% of reported domestic violence incidents involve alcohol. Half of all violent crime is alcohol or drug related.
Overall, morbidity and mortality are related strongly to smoking, and people who drink heavily are less likely to quit smoking. Additionally, persons who begin smoking early are more likely to develop problems with alcohol.
With regard to pregnancy, fetal alcohol syndrome is the leading known cause of mental retardation (1 in 1000 births). More than 2000 infants annually are born with this condition in the United States. Alcohol-related birth defects and neurodevelopmental problems are estimated to be 3 times higher. Even small amounts of alcohol consumption may be risky in pregnancy. A 2001 study by Sood et al reported that children aged 6-7 years whose mothers consumed alcohol even in small amounts had more behavioral problems. In a study from 2003, Baer et al showed that moderate alcohol consumption while pregnant resulted in a higher incidence of offspring problem drinking at age 21 years, even after controlling for family history and other environmental factors. All women who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant should avoid alcohol.
Race: The 2 largest studies, the US National Comorbidity Survey and the Epidemiologic Catchment Area Survey, both showed a lower prevalence of alcoholism in African Americans than in white Americans. The prevalence was equal or higher in Hispanic Americans compared with white Americans.
Studies of Native Americans and Asian Americans are smaller. These studies indicate the prevalence of alcoholism is higher in Native Americans and lower in Asian Americans when compared with white Americans.
Sex: Alcoholism is at least twice as prevalent in men as it is in women. In the National Comorbidity Survey, it was 2.5 times more prevalent in men than in women. The lifetime prevalence was 20% in men and 8% in women. For alcohol abuse or dependence in the past year, the rates were 10% for men and 4% for women.
Women do not metabolize alcohol as efficiently as men. Hazardous drinking (not alcoholism) is greater than 1 drink daily for women and greater than 2 drinks daily for men.
Problem drinking in women is much less common than it is in men, and the typical onset of problem drinking in females occurs later than in males. However, progression is more rapid, and females usually enter treatment earlier than males. Women more commonly combine alcohol with prescription drugs of abuse than do males. Women living with substance-abusing men are at high risk.
Alcohol problems are less likely to be recognized in women, and women with alcohol problems are less likely to be treated. This may be because women are less likely than men to have job, financial, or legal troubles as a result of drinking.
Age: The prevalence of alcoholism declines with increasing age. The prevalence in elderly populations is unclear but is probably approximately 3%. A study of the US Medicare population found that alcohol-related hospitalizations were as common as hospitalizations for myocardial infarction.
Among older patients with alcoholism, from one third to one half develop alcoholism after age 60 years. This group is harder to recognize. A recent population-based study found that problem drinking (>3 drinks/d) was observed in 9% of older men and in 2% of older women. Alcohol levels are higher in elderly patients for a given amount of alcohol consumed than in younger patients.
» what is alcoholism -
Alcoholism
A Widespread Problem
Currently, nearly 14 million Americans—1 in every 13 adults-abuse alcohol or are alcoholic. Several million more adults engage in risky drinking patterns that could lead to alcohol problems. In addition, approximately 53 percent of men and women in the United States report that one or more of their close relatives have a drinking problem.
What Is Alcoholism?
Alcoholism is a disease that is characterized by the following:
Craving: A strong need, or compulsion, to drink.
Loss of control: The frequent inability to stop drinking once a person has begun.
Physical dependence: The occurrence of withdrawal symptoms, such as nausea, sweating, shakiness, and anxiety, when alcohol use is stopped after a period of heavy drinking. These symptoms are usually relieved by drinking alcohol or by taking another sedative drug.Alcoholism
Tolerance: The need for increasing amounts of alcohol in order to get “high.”
Alcoholism has little to do with what kind of alcohol one drinks, how long one has been drinking, or even exactly how much alcohol one consumes. But it has a great deal to do with a person's uncontrollable need for alcohol. This description of alcoholism helps us understand why most alcoholics can't just “use a little willpower” to stop drinking. He or she is frequently in the grip of a powerful craving for alcohol, a need that can feel as strong as the need for food or water. While some people are able to recover without help, the majority of alcoholic individuals need outside assistance to recover from their disease. With support and treatment, many individuals are able to stop drinking and rebuild their lives. Many people wonder: why can some individuals use alcohol without problems, while others are utterly unable to control their drinking? Recent research has demonstrated that for many people a vulnerability to alcoholism is inherited. Yet it is important to recognize that aspects of a person's environment, such as peer pressure and the availability of alcohol, also are significant influences. Both inherited and environmental influences are called “risk factors.” But risk is not destiny. Just because alcoholism tends to run in families doesn't mean that a child of an alcoholic parent will automatically develop alcoholism.
What Is Alcohol Abuse?
Alcohol abuse differs from alcoholism in that it does not include an extremely strong craving for alcohol, loss of control, or physical dependence. In addition, alcohol abuse is less likely than alcoholism to include tolerance (the need for increasing amounts of alcohol to get “high”). Alcohol abuse is defined as a pattern of drinking that is accompanied by one or more of the following situations within a 12-month period:
failure to fulfill major work, school, or home responsibilities;
drinking in situations that are physically dangerous, such as while driving a car or operating machinery;
recurring alcohol-related legal problems, such as being arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or for physically hurting someone while drunk;
continued drinking despite having ongoing relationship problems that are caused or worsened by the effects of alcohol.
While alcohol abuse is basically different from alcoholism, it is important to note that many effects of alcohol abuse are also experienced by alcoholics.
Alcoholism Treatment
The nature of treatment depends on the severity of an individual's alcoholism and the resources that are available in his or her community. Treatment may include detoxification (the process of safely getting alcohol out of one's system); taking doctor-prescribed medications, such as disulfiram (Antabuse?) or naltrexone (ReVia?) to help prevent a return to drinking once drinking has stopped; and individual and/or group counseling. There are promising types of counseling that teach recovering alcoholics to identify situations and feelings that trigger the urge to drink and to find new ways to cope that do not include alcohol use. Any of these treatments may be provided in a hospital or residential treatment setting or on an outpatient basis.
Because the involvement of family members is important to the recovery process, many programs also offer brief marital counseling and family therapy as part of the treatment process. Some programs also link up individuals with vital community resources, such as legal assistance, job training, child care, and parenting classes.
Alcoholics Anonymous
Virtually all alcoholism treatment programs also include meetings of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), which describes itself as a “worldwide fellowship of men and women who help each other to stay sober.” While AA is generally recognized as an effective mutual help program for recovering alcoholics, not everyone responds to AA's style and message, and other recovery approaches are available. Even those who are helped by AA usually find that AA works best in combination with other elements of treatment, including counseling and medical care.
Can Alcoholism Be Cured?
While alcoholism is a treatable disease, a cure is not yet available. That means that even if an alcoholic has been sober for a long while and has regained health, he or she remains susceptible to relapse and must continue to avoid all alcoholic beverages. “Cutting down” on drinking doesn't work; cutting out alcohol is necessary for a successful recovery.
However, even individuals who are determined to stay sober may suffer one or several “slips,” or relapses, before achieving long-term sobriety. Relapses are very common and do not mean that a person has failed or cannot eventually recover from alcoholism. Keep in mind, too, that every day that a recovering alcoholic has stayed sober prior to a relapse is extremely valuable time, both to the individual and to his or her family. If a relapse occurs, it is very important to try to stop drinking once again and to get whatever additional support is needed to abstain from drinking.
Resources
For more information on alcohol abuse and alcoholism, contact the following organizations:
Al-Anon Family Group Headquarters
1600 Corporate Landing Parkway
Virginia Beach, VA 23454-5617
800-356-9996
www.al-anon.alateen.org
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) World Services
475 Riverside Drive, 11th Floor
New York, NY 10115
212-870-3400
www.alcoholics-anonymous.org
Source: The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA).
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Last Updated: 2005-10-27 23:55:49
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