Alcohol Dependency - Abnormal Psychology

Alcohol dependence8 8 8 8 8 A wolf in sheep’s clothing : 

Alcohol dependence8 8 8 8 8 A wolf in sheep’s clothing Rebecca N. Crosswhite Instructor – Amanda Shinn Patterson Mitchell Community College PSY 281 – Abnormal Psychology

Sobering Statics : 

Sobering Statics In the United States… Every 30 minutes someone is killed in an alcohol related automobile accident. 15,000,000 Americans are dependent on alcohol. 500,000 children age 9 to 12 are dependent on alcohol. Americans spend over $90,000,000,000 on alcohol a year. (Statistics are according to http://www.drug-rehabs.org/alcohol-statistics.php)

How Does Alcohol Dependency Effect Children? : 

How Does Alcohol Dependency Effect Children? U.S. Department of Health and Human Services estimates that 1 in 4 children in the United States are exposed to alcoholism within the family. 6.6 million American children under the age of 18 live in a household with at least one alcoholic parent. National Association for Children of Alcoholics, (NACA), states that 79.6% of welfare professionals cites that alcoholism contributes to half of all reported child maltreatment cases. Children experience guilt, anxiety, anger, embarrassment, confusion, helplessness and withdraw from relationships. (According to http://child-abuse.suite101.com/article.cfm/children_of_alcoholics)

Alcoholism and Suicide : 

Alcoholism and Suicide Alcoholism is a factor in 30 percent of all completed suicides. 7 percent of those with alcohol dependency will die by suicide. ( Statistics from http://www.afsp.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.viewpage&page_id=050fea9f-b064-4092-b1135c3a70de1fda) Alcohol is a depressant. Not only does chronic alcohol use lead to depression, it in turn can also lead to suicide.

Why are there so many people dependent on alcohol if it can lead to: : 

Why are there so many people dependent on alcohol if it can lead to: Broken Families Loss of Jobs DUIs and legal issues Financial Problems Severed relationships Loneliness Hopelessness Depression Suicide Picture from http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2007/12_04/alcoholicCORBIS_228x331.jpg

Why is alcohol the number one abused mind- altering drug? : 

Why is alcohol the number one abused mind- altering drug? Alcohol is a very luring substance. It gives the user a sense of warmth, well-being and courage. It inhibits fears and reduces anxiety. Alcohol is legal, affordable and readily available. Alcohol advertising is seen in magazines, television commercials and movies. Alcohol makes the mere acquaintance the best of friends; a very alluring quality to those who are lonely and lacking self-esteem. Photo taken from http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_skQSpSg0aqA/SaovQOOT5WI/AAAAAAAAAeQ/59g_6eOisms/s400/sometimes-drunk-people-scare-me.jpg

What are the some of the symptoms of alcohol dependency? : 

What are the some of the symptoms of alcohol dependency? Unable to limit the amount of alcohol you drink. Feeling a strong need or compulsion to drink. Drinking alone or hiding your drinking. Continuing to drink despite problems such as legal, marital, family, employment or money. Developing a tolerance and needing more alcohol to experience the same effect. Arranging your schedule to allow for your drinking. When you don’t drink, you experience nausea, sweating, shaking or irritability. (http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/alcoholism/DS00340/DSECTION=symptoms)

The Top 5 Myths About Alcoholism : 

The Top 5 Myths About Alcoholism 1. I can stop drinking anytime I want to. Maybe you can and maybe you can’t, but either way it is an excuse to keep drinking. 2. I don’t drink everyday OR I only drink wine or beer, so I can’t be an alcoholic. Alcoholism isn’t defined by what you drink but by continued drinking even after it has caused problems in your life. 3. My drinking is my problem, it only hurts me. Alcoholism hurts everyone around you and is a family disease. *********

Slide 9: 

4. I can’t be an alcoholic because I have a job and I am doing okay. Many alcoholics hold down jobs, get through school and raise a family. You may be a functioning alcoholic, but if the path continues, it will catch up to you. 5. My drinking is not a “real” addiction like drug abuse. Alcohol is a real drug and alcohol addiction is just as damaging as drug addiction. (Information obtained from http://helpguide.org/mental/alcohol_abuse_alcoholism_signs_effects_treatment.htm )

What do you do if someone you love is an alcoholic? : 

What do you do if someone you love is an alcoholic? Stop enabling them! Many times alcoholics are able to continue in their illness because someone is enabling them, either by lying for them, taking care of their responsibilities when they fail to, and making rationalizations and excuses for their behavior. Stop arguing with them. This only adds fuel to the fire and usually the alcoholic is in denial. Seek advice from a professional substance abuse counselor.

What if I am the alcoholic? : 

What if I am the alcoholic? If you realize that you have a drinking problem and may have an addiction to alcohol, you have already taken the first step! Overcoming denial and realizing that your alcohol use has directly caused problems in your life means that your are ready to take the next step! What do I do next?

There are many resources available. : 

There are many resources available. Alcoholics Anonymous – A 12-step recovery program. http://www.aa.org Celebrate Recovery – A 12-step Christ centered recovery program. http://www.celebraterecovery.com There are also many outpatient and residential inpatient alcohol abuse treatment centers for more intense rehabilitation. http://findtreatment.samhsa.gov/ Alcohol Abuse and Crisis Hotline: 800-234-0246

Acknowledgments : 

Acknowledgments Audio track - Demon Alcohol © By Ozzy Osbourne