Archive for August, 2010
Alcoholism
Alcoholism is not a topic many of us want to think about, let alone deal with. In fact, if you ask anyone to define alcoholism, you’ll probably wind up with various answers. There are many definitions of alcoholism, and they’re all more or less true. Whichever definition you prefer, the simple truth is that alcoholism is a serious disease that threatens to completely undermine the affected individual’s health, family and social standing.
Here are some of the many definitions of alcoholism.
Physical Effects of Alcoholism
Alcoholism is a serious problem in America today. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) estimates that about 18 million people in the United States either abuse alcohol or are alcoholic. Across all age groups, men are four times as likely as women to be heavy drinkers. But the truth is that alcoholism at any age can cause major health-related problems, and some 100,000 people die each year from alcohol-related problems.
The harmful physical effects of alcoholism are well documented and include liver disease, lung disease, compromised immune system, endocrine disorders, and changes to the brain. In adolescents, particularly those who begin drinking at an early age (at or before age 14) and continue to heavy drinking, harm can result to the liver, bones, endocrine system, and interfere with brain growth. It is important to note that adolescents’ brains are still in the process of developing during the teenage years.
Do You Need Alcoholism Rehab?
Alcoholism rehab can be the first step toward freedom. One of the hardest things to do when you have alcoholism is admitting you have a problem. Agreeing to go to alcoholism rehab may seem overwhelming because it basically means you really are an alcoholic. We fight the label for one reason: we don’t want to stop drinking. Alcoholism has profound effects on perception and behavior, and it distorts your thinking. Studies show alcoholism damages the ability to store memories, so many alcoholics literally “forget” what they did last week, last month, and especially last year. These memory deficits get worse the longer you use alcohol, and binge drinkers are especially vulnerable to the damaging effects on their ability to remember new things. In fact, alcoholism can permanently damage your ability to learn new things.
One in Five Americans Has Driven Drunk in the Past Year
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, approximately eight percent of all drivers—or 17 million people—have driven while under the influence of alcohol at least once in the past year.
Trends in Alcohol Advertising in Magazines
There are several factors that work together to influence youth to participate in drinking behaviors, often including a combination of biological and environmental factors. While it is not clear how those factors work together, research has shown that when youth view print images that glorify drinking, some teenagers are more likely to participate in drinking.
Study Finds that Students Tend to Protect Female Friends from Risky Sexual Behavior while Drunk
Binge drinking is a major problem among college students across the nation, and heavy drinking can often lead to risky sexual behaviors, including having unprotected sex, which can lead to sexually transmitted diseases, unwanted pregnancy, and emotional distress. Excessive drinking also raises the risk of sexual victimization, especially among young women.
New Study Looks at Perception of Sobriety and Actual Ability to Drive
A new study sheds light on why some people get behind the wheel after drinking alcohol, believing that they’re sober enough to drive. This is the first study to examine the ways in which cognitive abilities are affected during rising and declining blood alcohol levels, as well as the differences between self-evaluation of recovery from drinking and actual recovery.
Mutant Mouse Gene Examined for Human Alcohol Reactions
Scientists often study animals to better understand the functions of the human body and how some substances can affect the way we live. This is especially true when trying to understand alcoholism and drug addiction and the impact both can have on an individual.
Behavioral Economics May Help Explain Alcohol Cravings
Cravings and addiction are an interesting study as individuals vary in such regards as much as they do in body size, hair and eye color and other preferences. According to a recent Science Daily blog, behavioral economic analysis could provide for a more clear understanding of cravings individuals may experience for alcohol and other drugs.