Wiki

Exerpts From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Alcohol Abuse

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alcohol_abuse

Alcohol abuse, as described in the DSM-IV, is a psychiatric diagnosis describing the use of alcoholic beverages despite negative consequences. It is differentiated from alcohol dependence by the lack of symptoms such as tolerance and withdrawal.^[1] Alcohol abuse is sometimes referred to by the less specific term alcoholism. However, many definitions of alcoholism exist, and only some are compatible with alcohol abuse.

For additional information, resources and contributing references on Alcoholism, please visit Wikipedia:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alcohol_abuse

Alcoholism

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alcoholism

Alcoholism is a term with multiple and sometimes conflicting definitions. In common and historic usage, alcoholism refers to any condition that results in the continued consumption of alcoholic beverages despite the health problems and negative social consequences it causes. Medical definitions describe alcoholism as a disease which results in a persistent use of alcohol despite negative consequences.^{[citation needed]} Alcoholism, also referred to as dipsomania^[1] in the 19th and early 20th centuries, may also refer to a preoccupation with or compulsion toward the consumption of alcohol and/or an impaired ability to recognize the negative effects of excessive alcohol consumption. Although not all of these definitions specify current and on-going use of alcohol as a qualifier, some do, as well as remarking on the long-term effects of consistent, heavy alcohol use, including dependence and symptoms of withdrawal.

While the ingestion of alcohol is, by definition, necessary to develop alcoholism, the use of alcohol does not predict the development of alcoholism. The quantity, frequency and regularity of alcohol consumption required to develop alcoholism varies greatly from person to person. In addition, although the biological mechanisms underpinning alcoholism are uncertain, some risk factors, including social environment, stress ^[2], emotional health and genetic predisposition, have been identified.

For additional information, resources and contributing references on Alcoholism, please visit Wikipedia:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alcoholism

Binge Drinking

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Binge_drinking

Binge drinking is often defined nowadays as drinking alcoholic beverages with the primary intention of becoming intoxicated. It is a kind of purposeful drinking style that is popular in several countries worldwide. The exact degree of intoxication, however, varies between and within various cultures that engage in this practice. Formerly, most countries defined the term as a multi-day heavy drinking session during which the drinker neglects usual responsibilities and otherwise behaves recklessly.^{[citation needed]} In Russia, many people often still define it this way. There is currently no international consensus on how many drinks constitute a “binge,” but the term is often taken to mean consuming 5 or more standard American drinks (male), or 4 or more drinks (female), in about for a typical adult. This is called the “5/4 definition.” However, these numbers vary significantly based on weight and numerous other variables.^[1]^{[unreliable source?]} Other, less common definitions are based on blood alcohol concentration. For example, the NIAAA recently redefined the term “binge drinking” as anytime one reaches a peak BAC of 0.08% or higher ^[2] as opposed to some (arguably) arbitrary number of drinks in an evening. Whatever the numerical definition used, rapid consumption (shots, chugging, or drinking games) is often implied when the term is used colloquially, since one can remain relatively sober if the 4 or 5 drinks are spread out widely over the course of a long evening.

For additional information, resources and contributing references on Binge Drinking, please visit Wikipedia:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Binge_drinking

Children of Alcoholics (Adult Children Of Alcoholics)

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Children_of_alcoholics

Children of alcoholics (COAs) are individuals who were raised in an alcoholic household. Children of Alcoholics often exhibit common characteristics into adulthood as the result of their childhood and upbringing. Adults who were raised in alcoholic households sometimes refer to themselves as adult children of alcoholics or ACOAs. Some children of alcoholics attend twelve-step programs to address their common issues.

Dr. Janet G. Woititz identified thirteen primary characteristics of adult children of alcoholics:^[1]

Guessing at what normal behavior is.
Having difficulty following a project through from beginning to end.
Lying when it would be just as easy to tell the truth.
Judging themselves without mercy.
Having difficulty having fun.
Taking themselves very seriously.
Having difficulty with intimate relationships.
Overreacting to changes over which they have no control.
Constantly seeking approval and affirmation.
Usually feeling that they are different from other people.
Extreme responsibility or irresponsibility.
Extreme loyalty, even in the face of evidence that the loyalty is undeserved.
Impulsivity - tending to lock themselves into a course of action without giving serious consideration to alternative behaviors or possible consequences. This impulsivity leads to confusion, self-loathing and loss of control over their environment. In addition, they spend an excessive amount of energy cleaning up the mess.

For additional information, resources and contributing references on Children Of Alcoholics and Adult Children Of Alcoholics, please visit Wikipedia:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Children_of_alcoholics

Codependence or Codependency

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Codependency

Codependence (or codependency) is a popular psychology concept popularized by Twelve-Step program advocates.^[1]^[2] A “codependent” can be loosely defined as someone who exhibits too much, and often inappropriate, caring for persons who depend on him or her. A “codependent” is one side of a relationship between mutually needy people. The dependent, or obviously needy party(s) may have emotional, physical, financial difficulties, or addictions they seemingly are unable to surmount. The “codependent” party exhibits behaviour which controls, makes excuses for, pities, and takes other actions to perpetuate the obviously needy party’s condition, because of their desire to be needed and fear of doing anything that would change the relationship.^{[citation needed]}

A common usage of the term is that codependency occurs when enabling addiction, taking care of another person in a way that is not healthy in the long run to either that person or themselves, or both.^[3] Codependency is loss of self for the codependent.^[4]

The concept can also be understood as a set of maladaptive, compulsive behaviors learned by family members in order to survive in a family which is experiencing great emotional pain and stress caused, for example, by a family member’s alcoholism or other addiction, sexual or other abuse within the family, a family member’s chronic illness, or forces external to the family, such as poverty.

For additional information, resources and contributing references on Codependence or Codependency, please visit Wikipedia:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Codependency

Enabling

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enable

The term enabling is used in counseling and in the broader context of problematic behavior, to signify dysfunctional approaches that are intended to help but in fact may perpetuate the problem.^[1]^[2] A common theme of enabling in this latter sense is that third parties take responsibility, blame, or make accommodations for a person’s harmful conduct (often with the best of intentions, or from fear or insecurity which inhibits action). The practical effect is that the person themselves does not have to do so, and is shielded from awareness of the harm it may do, and the need or pressure to change.

A common example of enabling can be observed in the relationship between the alcoholic and a codependent spouse. The spouse believes incorrectly that he or she is helping the alcoholic by calling into work for them, making excuses that prevent others from holding them accountable, and generally cleaning up the mess that occurs in the wake of their impaired judgment. In reality what the spouse is doing is hurting not helping. Enabling prevents psychological growth in the person being enabled and can contribute to negative symptoms in the enabler.

For additional information, resources and contributing references on Enabling, please visit Wikipedia:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enable

Symptoms of Codependent or Codependency

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Codependency

Symptoms of co dependence are controlling behavior, distrust, perfectionism, avoidance of feelings, problems with intimacy, excessive caretaker, hyper vigilance or physical illness related to stress. Co dependence is often accompanied by clinical depression, as the co-dependent person succumbs to feelings of frustration or sadness over his or her inability to improve the situation. Co-dependency advocates claim that a co-dependent may feel shame about, or try to change, his or her most private thoughts and feelings if they conflict with those of another person. An example would be a wife making excuses for her husband’s excessive drinking and perhaps defending him by calling in sick for him when he is hung over. Such behaviors, which may well lessen conflict and ease tension within the family in the short term, are counterproductive in the long term, since, in this case, the wife is actually supporting (”enabling”) the husband’s drinking behavior. So, sometimes, the co-dependent is referred to as an “enabler.” It is also worth noting that since the wife in this case is dependent on the husband’s alcoholic behavior, she may actually feel disturbed, disoriented or threatened if she sees clearly that he is emerging from his dependence; the threat to her position as a confidante and needed loved one might lead her unconsciously to resist the husband’s steps towards recovery. Similarly, a co-dependent parent might resist his or her child’s steps toward independence; whether early or late in life.

For additional information, resources and contributing references on Symptoms of Codependence or Codependency, please visit Wikipedia:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Codependency

Treatments For Alcoholism (Alcoholism Treatment, Alcohol Treatment, Rehab)

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alcoholism

Treatments for alcoholism are quite varied because there are multiple perspectives for the condition itself. Those who approach alcoholism as a medical condition or disease recommend differing treatments than, for instance, those who approach the condition as one of social choice.

Most treatments focus on helping people discontinue their alcohol intake, followed up with life training and/or social support in order to help them resist a return to alcohol use. Since alcoholism involves multiple factors which encourage a person to continue drinking, they must all be addressed in order to successfully prevent a relapse. An example of this kind of treatment is detoxification followed by a combination of supportive therapy, attendance at self-help groups, and ongoing development of coping mechanisms. The treatment community for alcoholism typically supports an abstinence-based zero tolerance approach; however, there are some who promote a harm-reduction approach as well.

For additional information, resources and contributing references on Treatments Of Alcoholism, Alcoholism Treatments, Alcohol Treatment or Rehab please visit Wikipedia:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alcoholism

Twelve-Step Program (Twelve Steps Program, Twelve Step Recovery Program, 12 Step Program, 12-Steps Program, 12 Step, 12 Steps, Twelve Step, Twelve Steps)

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/12_step

A twelve-step program is a set of guiding principles outlining a course of action for recovery from addiction, compulsion, or other behavioral problems. Originally proposed by Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) as a method of recovery from alcoholism,^[1] the Twelve Steps were first published in the book, Alcoholics Anonymous: The Story of How More Than One Hundred Men Have Recovered From Alcoholism in 1939.^[2] The method was then adapted and became the foundation of other twelve-step programs such as Narcotics Anonymous, Overeaters Anonymous, Co-Dependents Anonymous and Debtors Anonymous. The process of twelve-step recovery has been characterized by Dr. Bob - one of AA’s co-founders - as “Trust God, clean house, help others”. ^[3] As summarized by the American Psychological Association, the process involves the following:^[1]

admitting that one cannot control one’s addiction or compulsion;
recognizing a greater power that can give strength;
examining past errors with the help of a sponsor (experienced member);
making amends for these errors;
learning to live a new life with a new code of behavior;
helping others that suffer from the same addictions or compulsions.

For additional information, resources and contributing references on Twelve-Step Programs, Twelve Steps Program, Twelve Step Recovery Program, 12 Step Program, 12-Steps Program, 12 Step, 12 Steps, Twelve Step or Twelve Steps, please visit Wikipedia:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/12_step