AddictionPaperPSYC305B05 (1) - Addiction Paper Diana...

Addiction Paper
Diana Kuykendall
Psych 305 B05
1
Addiction Paper
Diana Kuykendall
Liberty University, Psych 305 B05

Addiction Paper
Diana Kuykendall
Psych 305 B05
2
Abstract
Alcohol abuse is the third leading preventable cause of death. Alcohol abuse is the fifth leading
risk factor of premature birth. Alcohol abuse is the primary cause for one in every three liver
transplants. There are many ways to prevent alcoholism, as there is many ways to treat
alcoholism. Society can help with both of these by educating the young and even the old on the
consequences of this abuse. AUDs can happen to anyone at any age. They only way to get a grip
on this disorder is to help take preventative measures for not only ourselves but for others. The
following discusses many of these ways for prevalence and treatments of alcohol addiction.

Addiction Paper
Diana Kuykendall
Psych 305 B05
3
"Alcoholism is a chronic, often progressive disease. A person with alcoholism typically craves
alcohol and drinks despite repeated alcohol-related problems, such as multiple drunk-driving
violations, job loss, or relationship problems. Alcohol involves a physical dependence on
alcohol, but other factors include genetic, psychological, and cultural influences." ("Alcoholism”,
2016) Alcoholism has been and continues to be a huge problem in the United States and among
other countries. Alcohol abuse is linked to traffic accidents, traffic deaths, homicides, and it is in
the top leading causes of death. Alcoholism can result in cancer of the throat, liver disease, and
epilepsy. "About 17 million people in the United States abuse alcohol, and estimates suggest that
more than 70 million Americans have faced alcoholism in their families." ("Alcoholism", 2016)
This meaning that not only does alcohol abuse affect an individual, but also every relatively
close person in that individual's life.
Signs and Symptoms
There are many signs and symptoms that an individual that has an alcohol problem. Some of
them include; drinking alone, or hiding that they drink, unable to control how much they drink,
having blackouts where they do not remember things that happened while drinking, inability to
hold a job, nausea and vomiting, and seizures. There are also many things that happen in a
person's life that can result in the abuse of alcohol, such as these risk factors; if there is a family
history of alcohol abuse in the family then an individual is more susceptible to begin to develop a
problem, stress, or having a traumatic experience. "The individual might use chemicals to
express a previously forbidden impulse, cope with emotional or physical pain, explore alternative

Addiction Paper
Diana Kuykendall
Psych 305 B05
4
realities, substitute a substance-induced feeling of euphoria for the less mundane reality in which
they live, as a way to escape from the pain of their social status, or as a sign of rebellion..."
(Doweiko, 2015)
Prevalence
Alcoholism can be prevented in many ways. Communities can come together and focus on
"Reducing underage access to alcohol from commercial (e.g. bars, restaurants, and liquor stores)