This document discusses the concepts, diagnosis, and treatment of alcoholism. There are two main concepts of alcoholism - as a symptom of an underlying mental condition, or as a chronic illness caused by prolonged alcohol intake and genetic/biochemical factors. Diagnosis involves taking a medical history, screening tests, physical exam, and lab tests. Treatment includes detoxification, recovery programs with counselling and support groups, medical care, psychological support, emphasis on acceptance and abstinence, drug treatments, ongoing support from groups like AA, improving general health, and behavioral treatments to change behaviors leading to heavy drinking.

1. TREA TM EN T FO R A LC O HO L
P RO B LEM S

2. Concepts Of Alcoholism
There are two concepts regarding alcoholism
 Alcoholism is a symptom of an underlying
mental condition , defect ,or pathology. It
develops from psychoanalytic theory
 Alcoholism is a chronic illness. It is caused due
to prolonged intake of alcohol in toxic
quantities and due to certain biochemical,
physiologic, metabolic or genetic defects in
the organism

3. Diagnosis Of Alcoholism
 The doctor takes a medical history . He asks
questions about the patient’s use of alcohol
and its effects on his life and people close to
him
 If alcoholism is suspected , the doctor may
perform a short screening test using a
standardized questionnaire.
 A history is obtained from his family or
friends if he is unable to answer questions.

4.  The doctor performs a physical examination to
look for medical problems associated with
alcoholism.
 Laboratory tests are performed , including various
tests of blood and urine. Blood alcohol level
confirm recent alcohol ingestion.The size of red
blood cells increases with long-term alcohol use.
Carbohydrate-deficient transferrin indicates
heavy alcohol consumption. Liver enzyme
changes indicates chronic alcohol intake.

5. TREATMENT OF ALCOHOLISM
 15% of alcoholics seek treatment
 Alcoholics deny their disease
 Alcoholics agree for treatment only after the
intervention of their family members, friends
or doctor.

6. TREATMENT OF ALCOHOLISM
 Detoxification And Withdrawal
 Recovery Programmes
 Medical Assessment AndTreatment
 Psychological Support And Psychiatric
Treatment
 Emphasis On Acceptance And Abstinence
 DrugTreatments
 Additional Ongoing Support
 General Health Improvement
 Behavioral treatment

7. Detoxification And Withdrawal
 Detoxification takes about 4 to 7 days.
 Tranquilizers are used to control withdrawal
symptoms
 These are most common in the first 5days
after stopping alcohol.

8. Recovery Programmes
 It provide support after detoxification to
maintain abstinence from alcohol.
 Counselling, psychological support and
medical care are usually available within
these programmes.
 Many of the professional staff involved in
rehabilitation centers are recovered
alcoholics who serve a role model.

9. Medical Assessment and Treatment
 Medical assessment and treatment of
common medical problems associated with
alcoholism also needs to be carried under the
care of an expert physician.
 Alcohol related medical disorder include
obesity, blood pressure, diabetes and heart
related disorders.

10. Psychological Support And Psychiatric
Treatment
 Group and individual counselling give
psychological support .
 To recognize the behavior patterns that cause
a person to drink is important.These behavior
patterns are modified.
 Depression and other mood disorders are
treated

11. Emphasis On Acceptance And
Abstinence
 Effective treatment is impossible unless a
patient accepts that he is addicted and
cannot afford to risk drinking.

12. Drug Treatments
 Tranquilizers are given to the patients
through the withdrawal stage.
 Medication is used to lessen the craving for
alcohol.
 Disulfiram ( Antabuse) – produces a
physical reaction that includes flushing ,
nausea, and headaches in case one drinks
 Naltrexone – reduces the urge to drink

13. Additional Ongoing Support
 Joining support groups are an essential
part of treatment
 AlcoholicAnonymous (AA) is a self-help
group of recovering alcoholics that offers
emotional support .
 The doctor or counsellor refer the patient
to an AA group

14. General Health Improvement
 Eating a balanced diet with vitamin
supplement.
 Doing regular exercise.

15. Behavioral treatment
 Also known as alcohol counseling.
 Behavioral treatment involve working with a
health professional to identify and help to
change the behaviors that lead to heavy
drinking.

16.  Behavioral treatments share certain features,
Developing the skills needed to stop or
reduce drinking.
Helping to build a strong social support
system.
Working to set reachable goals.
Coping with or avoiding the triggers that
might cause relapse.

17. THANKYOU