ALCOHOL

ADDICTION
PREPARED BY : Abu Bakar Arshad 11B 21308

ALCOHOL ADDICTION
INTRODUCTION

Alcohol addiction can show itself in a variety

of ways. The severity of the disease, how
often someone drinks, and the alcohol they
consume varies from person to person. Some
people drink heavily all day, while others
binge drink and then stay sober for a while.
Regardless of how the addiction looks,
someone typically has an alcohol addiction if
they heavily rely on drinking and can’t stay
sober for an extended period of time.

Alcohol addiction can be difficult to

recognize. Unlike cocaine or heroin, alcohol is
widely available and accepted in many
cultures. It’s often at the center of social
situations and closely linked to celebrations
and enjoyment.

Its is a chronic relapsing disorder associated

with compulsive alcohol drinking, the loss of
control over intake, and the emergence of a
negative emotional state when alcohol is no
longer available.
POSSIBLE EFFECTS OF ADDICTION AND
ADDICTIVE BEHAVIOR :

Drinking is a part of life for many people. When is it

common in society, it can be hard to tell the
difference between someone who likes to have a few
drinks now and then and someone with a real
problem.
increased quantity or frequency of use
high tolerance for alcohol, or lack of “hangover”
symptoms
wanting to be where alcohol is present and
avoiding situations where there is none
changes in friendships; someone with an alcohol
addiction may choose friends who also drink
heavily
avoiding contact with loved ones
hiding alcohol, or hiding while drinking
dependence on alcohol to function in everyday
life
increased lethargy, depression, or other
emotional issues
legal or professional problems such as an arrest
or loss of a job

EFFECT ON INDIVIDUAL AND FAMILY

Neglect of important Needing time to nurse hangovers:

duties: Alcohol impairs Alcohol has various short-term
one’s cognitive side effects, such as hangovers.
functions and physical The physical state of a hangover
capabilities, and this, at may be temporary, but it can
some point, will likely significantly disrupt a person’s
result in neglect of ability to meet commitments as
responsibilities well as invite unhealthy behaviors,
such as poor eating and a lack of
associated with work,
exercise.
home life, and/or

school.

The inability to stop at will:
Encountering legal
Alcohol is an addictive
problems: Drinking can
substance and can lead to
increase a person’s
physical dependence. Although
likelihood of getting into
a person who is physically
fights, displaying disorderly
dependent (i.e., has an
conduct in public, driving
increased tolerance among
under the influence, and
other side effects) is not
becoming involved in
necessarily addicted, ongoing
domestic disputes or
drinking is a slippery slope that
violence.
can lead to addiction.

Initially, a person may think that using alcohol helps them deal with
these stressors, but over time, frequent heavy drinking can turn into
dependence on the substance. Once individuals become psychologically
addicted, alcohol misuse can become all-consuming. As individuals are
often part of social networks, it is easy to understand how alcohol
misuse has a ripple effect across a person’s entire network of family,
friends, employers, colleagues, and anyone else who depends on the
person.
DATA REPRESENTATION/ STATISTIC REPORT
 CASE STUDY

Background
Alcohol and drug prevention is high on the public health agenda
in many countries. An increasing trend is the call for evidence-
based practice. In Sweden in 2002 an innovative project portfolio
including an integrated research and competence-building
strategy for non-governmental organisations (NGOs) was
designed by the National Board of Health and Welfare (NBHW).
This research strategy case study is based on this initiative.

Methods
The embedded case study includes 135 projects in 69
organisations and 14 in-depth process or effect studies. The data
in the case study has been compiled using multiple methods -
administrative data; interviews and questionnaires to project
leaders; focus group discussions and seminars; direct and
participatory observations, interviews, and documentation of
implementation; consultations with the NBHW and the NGOs; and
a literature review. Annual reports have been submitted each
year and three bi-national conferences Reflections on
preventions have been held.

Results
A broad range of organisations have been included in the NBHW
project portfolio. A minority of the project were run by Alcohol or
drug organisations, while a majority has children or adolescents
as target groups. In order to develop a trustful partnership
between practitioners, national agencies and researchers a series
of measures were developed and implemented: meeting with
project leaders, project dialogues and consultations, competence
strengthening, support to documentation, in-depth studies and
national conferences.

 W.R is a 30 years old man. Client was referred by psychiatrist, from

Drug Rehabilitation Center, Fountain House Lahore, Pakistan for
psychological assessment and management of the problem of client.
The client was presented with the complaints of stealing habit, drug
addiction, poor problem solving, poor abstract reasoning, and poor
communication skills. Assessment was done on both the informal and
formal levels. For informal assessment, clinical interview was
conducted; mental status examination was done, and subjective rating
of symptoms was taken, and life event chart was used, and for the
purpose of formal assessment Drug Abuse Screening Test was used,
the score of it suggests that the client have severe level of problem.
For the purpose
Outcome Marked improvement
was observed in client’s
problems from session one till
the last. His behaviour was
improved to a large extent.
Client’s tutor reported that he is
now the most active member of
the ward, and several in-unit
tasks are assigned to him. The
graph shows that now the client
has no craving for drug, his
communication pattern had
increased to a large extent.
Other than this marked
improvements are seen in
client’s mood, behaviour and
somatic pains. Hence positive
observable changes are seen in
client’s mood and behaviour; his
problematic behaviours are
decreased to a large extent. The
improvement rate of client is 49
% [11-22].
 Client’s prognosis The prognosis of the client is positive as the
client insight about the problem was also intact and the
motivation level of the client was also high. Marked improvement
in his behaviours, and social interaction was also seen as it was
observed by ward attendants, and other internees. Positive
observable changes were also seen in client’s mood. Intervention
plan Intervention plan was designed to help the client to resolve
problem he is facing and to aid the natural process of adjustment,
to develop a positive self-concept and to save him, and to learn to
interact with others.

SHORT TERM GOALS

i. By using supportive therapy build a level of trust with the client

and create a supportive environment that will facilitate the client
to share his problems.

ii. Psycho educates the client about the harmful effects of the
substance use.

iii. Asking the relevant questions to probe the underlying factors

of her problems.

iv. Explore experiences from the client’s early life that contributes
to develop the problem.

v. Active listening, positive reinforcement, reassurance and

unconditional acceptance to facilitate his sharing and catharsis.

vi. Implement appropriate relaxation techniques to enable him

manage his stress, and to get relax in anxiety provoking situations
and thoughts.

vii. Explore experiences from the client’s early life that

contributes to his addictive behavior

. viii. Assist the client to become aware of the unresolved conflicts

and to look at different options to resolve them

 LONG TERM GOALS

Supportive psychotherapy: Supportive psychotherapy is the

attempt by a therapist to help patients deal with their emotional
distress and problems in living. The therapist provides an
emotional outlet, the chance for patients to express themselves
and be themselves .

Psycho education: Psychoeducation is offered to people who live

with a psychological disturbance. A goal is for the patient to
understand and be better able to deal with the presented illness.

Implementation of therapeutic strategies Rapport building:

Rapport is the ability to relate to others in a way that creates a
level of trust and understanding. It is the process of
responsiveness at the unconscious level.

Relaxation techniques: Relaxation techniques are used to deal with

the symptoms of distress. It helps in feeling relaxed and in a better
state of mind.

ABC model: In ABC Model, client is told that how his negative and
irrational beliefs (IBs) or behaviors are causing disturbance in his
life .

The trust circle: A trust circle was made to identify the support
during grief or problem. The trust circle strategy can be used as a
preventive tool to be used as needed to create awareness of
present support group during grief period and as a vehicle for
discussion and communication about thoughts, feelings, and
emotions people harbor within themselves about people in their
lives.

Cost-benefit analysis: Reviewing the pros and cons, or carrying out

a “cost-benefit analysis”, can be a powerful way of influencing on
the motivation to do certain things.

 Consequences on Physical Wellbeing

Drinking alcohol is associated with both short-term and long-term
health consequences. While short-term issues may last a few hours
or days, long-term health consequences may never go away. The
more frequently and longer duration an individual consumes
alcohol, the greater the likelihood of developing an alcohol-related
disease. Since alcohol misuse can have many negative health
effects, it is important to understand how alcohol affects the body,
how much is too much, and when alcohol becomes a serious
problem.
ALCOHOL ABUSE: Alcohol abuse, also known as alcohol misuse,
occurs when a person consumes alcohol inappropriately or in ways
that cause harm to themselves and the people around them. For
example, blacking out, binge drinking, drinking too frequently, or
using alcohol as a negative coping mechanism are examples of
alcohol misuse which can contribute to several health-related issues

IMMUNE SYSTEM DYSFUNCTION: By default, alcohol makes it harder

for the immune system to gear up and defend the body against
harmful germs. “Alcohol has diverse adverse effects throughout the
body, including on all cells of the immune system, that lead to
increased risk of serious infections,”.

HEART DISEASE: Excessive alcohol intake can lead to high blood

pressure, heart failure or stroke. Excessive drinking can also
contribute to cardiomyopathy, a disorder that affects the heart
muscle. What's more, alcohol can contribute to obesity and the long
list of health problems that can go along with it.

There is a very clear link between regularly drinking too much alcohol
and having high blood pressure. Over time, high blood pressure
(hypertension) puts strain on the heart muscle and can lead to
cardiovascular disease (CVD), which increases your risk of heart
attack and stroke.

 Consequences on Mental Wellbeing

Alcohol and mental health are closely linked. Drinking too much can
affect your well-being. Some people may drink to try to relieve the
symptoms of mental ill-health.

1.Alcohol and depression

Regular heavy drinking is linked to symptoms of depression.
People with depression who drink alcohol often start to feel
better within the first few weeks of stopping drinking. If you try
this and feel better, it’s likely the alcohol was causing your
depression. If your symptoms of depression continue, speak to
your GP for help.
It’s generally not recommended to drink if you’re taking
antidepressants. Alcohol can make depression worse and
increase the side effects of some antidepressants. If you’re trying
to cut down or stop drinking, research shows some
antidepressants can increase your risk of relapsing. The NHS
website has more information on alcohol and antidepressants.

2.Alcohol and anxiety

If you experience anxiety, alcohol can give you a very short-lived
feeling of relaxation – but this quickly disappears. If you rely on
alcohol to cover your anxiety, you may soon find yourself
drinking more and more to relax. Over time, this can lead to
alcohol dependence.
You may also find a hangover makes your anxiety worse.
If you use alcohol to unwind, think about other ways you can
find to relax: meditation, yoga, exercise or making time for things
you enjoy, for example.

 3.Alcohol, suicide and self-harm

Because alcohol can make you lose your inhibitions and
act more impulsively, it may lead to actions such as self-
harm or suicide. Heavy drinking is also linked to suicidal
thoughts and attempts.

It is not surprising that in addition to depression, anxiety,

BPD, PTSD and eating disorders, substance addiction is
also common for those that engage in self-harm. Some
may start with self-harm and then move to substance
abuse or vice versa. Drugs or alcohol may be used to mask
the sense of guilt around self-harming, they may be used
as an additional poor coping mechanism to escape from
emotions, or they may be used as their own form of Self-
harm.
Substance use in coordination with self-harm can quickly
escalate and become very dangerous as substances tend
to numb feelings of pain, and decrease sound judgement
and fine motor skills. The results can be severe. For those
suffering from a substance abuse issue and engaging in
self-harm, an addiction treatment center that can offer
rehab and counseling is necessary. The mental illnesses
that coincide with self-harm and addiction need to be
treated as well.

 Loss of Interest
Loss of interest in activities you used to enjoy is a key
symptom of both addiction and depression, but overcoming
the former makes it much easier to gain control over the
latter. It’s such a destructive symptom because of how
demotivating it is to feel there’s no joy in the world. Everyone
has passions and interests, but getting back to finding them
isn’t easy for someone with these conditions.
Treatment programs help you unravel the reasons behind
your unhealthy substance use so you can find new coping
mechanisms and address any underlying issues in therapy.

Support Strategies that could be used to help an

Individual suffering from addiction

1. Counseling: A qualified counselor can help the person share

their problems and then devise a plan to tackle the drinking.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is commonly used to
treat alcohol dependency.

Before you begin alcohol counseling, it’s important to find a

counselor that you feel comfortable with. Finding a counselor
who you can be honest with, talk to, and open up to will
tremendously help in your recovery process. Recognize though,
that your counselor can only guide you along your recovery
journey. It’s up to you to be active in your treatment and
recovery and apply what you’ve learned.

Each person’s experience with an alcohol counselor will vary

because the recovery process is different for everyone.
Generally, you will meet with your alcohol counselor frequently
individually and in group sessions within the first several
months of recovery. Depending on your progression after a few
months, meetings may begin to taper down. However, you can
schedule a meeting with your counselor in between sessions if
you’re having a difficult week or finding it hard to fight back
urges to drink.

2 .Alcohol Detox:
Some people are apprehensive to quit drinking due to
withdrawal symptoms, but alcohol detox is the first step in
treating alcoholism.
The alcohol detox stage is the first step in treating alcoholism.
During this time, alcohol is completely flushed from your body.
 Alcohol is a depressant that your body begins to rely on over
the course of months and years of drinking. Your brain
eventually stops producing certain chemicals that it receives
from alcohol, becoming dependent on the drug. That’s why
when you quit drinking, it takes time for your body to adjust.
This is what causes withdrawal symptoms such as headache,
fever, nausea, irregular heartbeat and hallucinations.
Some people are apprehensive to quit drinking because they’re
nervous about the withdrawal symptoms experienced during
alcohol detox.

While some people may only be affected by minor effects of

alcoholism, others may face extreme pain. Withdrawal
symptoms can change quickly and aggressively, which is why it’s
important to detox under the care of medical professionals.
Treatment professionals at a rehab facility will be able to help
you manage your pain with different medications. This allows
you to focus on your recovery and get better.

3. Detoxification: Medications can help prevent withdrawal

symptoms (delirium tremens, or DTs) that can occur after
quitting. Treatment usually lasts 4 to 7 days. Chlordiazepoxide,
a benzodiazepine medication, is frequently used for
detoxification (detox).

4.Residential programs: These can offer expert professional

help, individual or group therapy, support groups, training,
family involvement, activity therapy, and a host of strategies
for treating alcohol misuse. Being physically away from access
to temptation is helpful for some people.

 5. Medical treatment for health conditions: Many

alcohol-related health problems improve significantly
once you stop drinking. But some health conditions
may warrant continued treatment and follow-up care.

Various health care settings, such as primary care,

specialist practice, and alcohol treatment programs, can
address the range of unhealthy alcohol consumption.
Although screening and brief intervention counseling have
been developed for use in primary care settings, with a
focus on treatment referral when necessary, complex
behavioral strategies have primarily been developed for
specialty settings and treatment programs where they can
be effectively delivered. It is a recent phenomena for
patients, including nondependent people, to utilize
medications in these non-specialized settings and across a
range of patients.
 Highlight 4 examples of how the UAE government is
helping
Others to fight and overcome “addiction”

While the UAE is determined to go all out in eradicating drugs,

the authorities are just as committed to helping addicts get back
on their feet and start anew.
through the rehabilitation process, a top officer in Dubai
stressed that in the country, victims of substance abuse who
come forward for help get all the support they need to beat
addiction.

If one does find himself in such a situation, it’s not yet too late
to get treatment. Urging addicts and their families to seek help,
Col Al Khayat said: “They can come forward without fear of any
criminal proceedings. Addicts who voluntarily present
themselves to authorities for treatment will not be punished.”

The UAE has adopted a multi-pronged approach in fighting the

drug menace. This includes public awareness campaigns,
stringent laws against drug traffickers, and the strong
rehabilitation programme.
Based on the cases that the Hemaya rehab centre has handled,
people become addicts in two ways, Col Al Khayat said. “One
was by trying drugs that are made for individual use, usually
made from Cannabidaceae or chemicals. The second way is by
using medicines, usually strong pain killers, where users could
end up being dependant.”

 1. The UAE has adopted a multi-pronged approach in fighting

the drug menace.
This includes public awareness campaigns, stringent laws
against drug traffickers, and the strong rehabilitation
programme.
Based on the cases that the Hemaya rehab centre has handled,
people become addicts in two ways, Col Al Khayat said. “One
was by trying drugs that are made for individual use, usually
made from Cannabidaceae or chemicals. The second way is by
using medicines, usually strong pain killers, where users could
end up being dependant.”

2--Instead of a punishment, the individual undergoes therapy

which includes medical consultation, examination, treatment
and rehabilitation and integration:
The ideal way of dealing with addicts is taking him/her for a
medical test, and depending on the drug type, the medical team
decides on the mode of treatment, and how to reduce
withdrawal symptoms. Addicts are usually kept at treatment
centres for three weeks, going up to three months, depending
on the case,” Col Al Khayat said.
He said these centres exercise complete confidentiality when
dealing with cases so that addicts and their families can go
about their normal lives, adding that they continue to monitor
and work with the person to prevent readdiction.
During the course of rehab, the person must follow periodic
tests for specific time periods — usually monthly tests for one
year. However, if the authorities suspect something, they may
subject the addict to random tests. Urine samples are tested for
drug use.

 3- Solving the issue

To aid recovery, addicts need to go through a three-phase
programme - detoxification (treatment), rehabilitation and
aftercare.
An approach which has to be "multifaceted", Dr Al Maseeh
said.
"We have to look at the family, the individual's personality,
and the community they live in.But it is aftercare that is not
given "due attention" here.
"You cannot let down your guard as an addict, so relapse
prevention is so important and always focuses on who, what
and where. Who you should not be with, what you should
avoid and where you shouldn't go."
Depending on the individual it can take anything from three to
six months to be rehabilitated.
"But it is important to note that Ownak offers a life-long
service to recovering addicts."

4. Closing the gaps: Though there is a lot of action on the

government and public level to tackle drug addiction in
the UAE, certain gaps still need to be addressed.
"More recognition is needed for a comprehensive
approach to dealing with addiction in Dubai," Dr Al
Maseeh said
At present, Rashid Hospital and Al Amal Hospital in Dubai
are the only facilities providing treatment and
rehabilitation to drug addicts.
"When services are limited, it means specialists are not
available. The number of specialists here is low compared
to the need," he said.
But he emphasised that any approach to addiction has to
be addressed through prevention methods, adding that
"increased awareness and education programmes are
vital."
BIBLIOGRAPHY
https://www.healthline.com/health/addiction/alcohol#sympto
ms

https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs/db374.htm

https://americanaddictioncenters.org/alcoholism-
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https://fherehab.com/alcohol-addiction/

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https://americanaddictioncenters.org/alcoholism-
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https://casapalmera.com/blog/high-blood-pressure-drugs-
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https://paxmemphis.com/how-addiction-leads-to-
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https://www.alcoholrehabguide.org/treatment/counseling/

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https://www.khaleejtimes.com/uae/how-this-uae-based-
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