Alcoholism, or alcohol use disorder, encompasses problematic drinking behaviors, characterized by physical dependence, cravings, and severe consequences. Factors influencing alcoholism include excessive intake, psychological issues, social pressures, and family history, with various types of drinkers exhibiting different patterns. Treatment focuses on assessment, detoxification, therapy, family involvement, and education to address the health risks and social impacts associated with alcohol misuse.

1. Alcoholism
Ramya.R
Counselling Psychologist

2. Overview
Alcoholism, also known as alcohol use disorder(AUD),is a broad term
for any drinking of alcohol that results in problems. It was previously
divided into two types:
• Alcohol abuse and
• Alcohol dependence
In a medical context, alcoholism is said to exist when two or more
of the following conditions is present: a person drinks large amounts
over a long time period, has difficulty cutting down, acquiring and
drinking alcohol takes up a great deal of time,

3. Alcohol is strongly desired, usage results in not fulfilling
responsibilities, usage results in health problems, usage results in
risky situations, withdrawal occurs when stopping, and alcohol
tolerance has occurred with use.

4. Definition
Alcoholism is defined by alcohol dependence, which is the body's
physical inability to stop drinking and the presence of alcohol cravings
In 1990, the American Society of Addiction Medicine defined
alcoholism as "a primary, chronic disease with genetic, psychosocial,
and environmental factors influencing its development and
manifestations. The disease is often progressive and fatal.
" The ASAM characterized it by impaired control over drinking,
preoccupation with the drug alcohol, use of alcohol despite adverse
consequences, and distortions in thinking.

5. Factors Of Alcoholism
1. Excessive intake
2. Increasing worry
3. Loss of control
4. Disturbance in functioning

6. In India
• 10%-15% take alcohol
• US-74% males 26% females take alcohol

7. Causes Of Alcoholism
1. To forget miseries in life
2. Hard physical labour
3. Sexual immaturity
4. Social factors like cinema, literature, poor social support,
fashion, unemployment, religious reason, peer pressure
5. Bio-chemical factors: role of dopamine and nor epinephrine
affects neurotransmitter mechanism

8. Psychological Factors: Causes
• Low self esteem, poor impulse control , lonliness
• Desire to escape the reality
• Pleasure seeking
• A sense of adventure
• Disorders like depression , anxiety, phobia are prone to consume
as an escape

9. Stressful Environments
• While not every person turns to alcohol to relive stress, some
people do. When a person has a stressful job , for example , they
may be more likely to drink heavily.

10. Drinking At An Early Age
• According to the mayo clinic, those who begin drinking at an early
age are more likely to have an alcohol problem or a physical
dependence on alcohol as they get older.

11. Mental Health Problems Like Depression
• Anxiety,depression,bipolar disorder or other mental health issues
can increase risk of alcoholism.Its easy to turn alcohol when a
person is feeling anxious or depressed-and the effects of alcohol
may seem to temporarily ease those feelings.

12. Taking Alcohol With Medicine
• Some medicine can increase the toxic effects of alcohol on the
body.
• When a person continually takes alcohol with their medications,
they may become addicted to the effects that follow-some of
which have the capability to be very dangerous and even life-
threatening.

13. Family History
• If you have a parent or other relative who is an alcoholic, your risk
of alcoholism automatically increases.
• Part of this is due to genetics, but the other part has to do with
your environment. Spending time around people who drink heavily
or abuse alcohol can influence you to do same.

14. Types Of Drinker
1. Social drinker
2. Stress drinker
3. Binge drinker
4. Self-Medication drinker
5. High-risk drinker

15. Signs and Symptoms

16. Early signs
• The risk of alcohol dependence begins at low levels of drinking and
increase’s drinking larger amounts on an occasion,to the point of
intoxication,which is sometimes called “binge drinking”

17. Warning Signs
Increasing amounts of alcohol,
Frequent intoxication,
With drinking to the exclusion of other activities,
Promises to quit drinking and failure to keep them,
The inability to remember what was said or done while drinking Known as
Blackouts,
Personality changes associated with drinking,
Denial or the making of excuses for drinking,
Refusal to admit excessive drinking.

18. Pathogenisis OF ALCOHOLISM
Pre-alcoholic symptomatic phase
Prodigal phase – guilt feeling
Crucial phase – lose self respect
Chronic phase-indefinable fears, impair thinking

19. Problems
1. Personal misery
2. Family discord
3. Loss of wages
4. Failure of health
5. Economic lose

20. Effects

21. Social Effects
• Alcohol misuse is associated with an increased risk of committing
criminal offences, including child abuse, domestic violence, rape,
burglary and assault. Alcoholism is associated with loss of
employment, which can lead to financial problems.
• Children may become delinquents alcoholics may commit crimes ,
anti-social activities
• It may also associate with gambling , prostitution and income are
wasted on alcoholism

22. Long-term Effects
• Drinking more than one drink a day for women or two drinks for
men increases the risk of heart disease , high blood pressure ,
atrial fibrillation , and stroke.

23. Psychiatric
Long-term misuse of alcohol can cause a wide range of mental
health problems.Severe cognitive problems are
common.approximately 10 percent of all dementia cases are related
to alcohol consumption.

24. Alcohol Withdrawal
• As with similar substances with a sedative-hypnotic
mechanism,withdrawal from alcohol dependence can be fatal if it
is not properly managed.Alcohols primary effect is the increase in
stimulation of the GABAA receptor,promoting central nervous
system causes depression.

25. Alcoholism And Health
Affect
1. Physical health
2. Mental health
3. Social health

26. Health Risk
• Anemia
• Cancer
• Cardiovascular disease
• Cirrhosis
• Dementia
• Depression
• Seizures
• Gout
• High blood pressure
• Infectious disease
• Nerve damage
• Pancreatitis

27. Prevention-CDC
• Education
• Regulation of alcohol outlet density
• Increasing alcohol taxes
• Dram shop liability
• Maintaining limits on days of sale
• Maintaining limits on hours of sale
• Electronic screening and brief intervention(e-SBI)
• Enhanced enforcement of laws prohibiting sales to minors.

28. Treatment
1. Assessment , goal setting, treatment plan Detoxification in hospitals
2. Individual psychotherapy
3. Role of family –family counselling
4. Behaviour modification techniques
5. Alcoholic anonymous-share experiences with other alcoholics group
therapy
6. Treatment of the client with withdrawal effects
7. Changing values through education

29. Thank You