Alcohol is New Zealand’s recreational drug of choice, use of which is considered to be relatively harmless for most people. Regrettably the overuse of alcohol is associated with a range of negative health and social consequences (Hanson et. al., 2011) (Happel, 2014). What 's more, for some this frivolous activity becomes an addiction and manifests as a substance-abuse disorder. Alcohol dependency characterises the addictive and excessive use of alcohol that is substantially detrimental to an individuals, physical, psychological and social wellbeing.
Alcohol dependence is defined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.; DSM–5; American Psychiatric Association [APA], 2013) under the term alcohol-use disorder. Although …show more content…
A client’s admission of cravings for alcohol and a strong desire to drink is an indicator for alcohol-use disorder (APA, 2013). These thoughts can be all consuming and usually result in consumption (Love, James & Willner, 1998). These cravings may lead to other symptoms such as incidence of drinking more alcohol than intended or for longer than intended and alcohol pursuits that are overly time consuming (APA, 2013). More symptoms are when a clients’ frequent use of alcohol results in failed commitments, responsibilities and disengagement from previously important activities (APA, 2013). Also, clients may have an alcohol-use disorder if they are drinking in environments that are unsafe and even though they are well aware of the damaged it is doing them they continue drinking despite the harm and the problems it is …show more content…
Approximately 4.6% of 12- to 17-year-olds and 8.5% of adults have alcohol-use disorder in the United states (APA, 2013). It is most common among 18- to 29-years-olds and men (APA, 2013). In 2006 approximately 2.6% of New Zealanders had alcohol abuse disorder and 1.3% had alcohol dependence disorder. It was most common among 16-24 years olds at 7.1% with alcohol abuse and 3.0% with alcohol dependency (Wells, 2006). Alcohol-use disorder usually reaches diagnosable severity between late teens and mid 20s (Schuckit, 2009). Alcohol-use disorder usually occurs alongside depression and psychosis (Schuckit, 2006) and often for teens, anti social behaviour and conduct disorder (Dick et al.,
Alcohol dependence is defined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.; DSM–5; American Psychiatric Association [APA], 2013) under the term alcohol-use disorder. Although …show more content…
A client’s admission of cravings for alcohol and a strong desire to drink is an indicator for alcohol-use disorder (APA, 2013). These thoughts can be all consuming and usually result in consumption (Love, James & Willner, 1998). These cravings may lead to other symptoms such as incidence of drinking more alcohol than intended or for longer than intended and alcohol pursuits that are overly time consuming (APA, 2013). More symptoms are when a clients’ frequent use of alcohol results in failed commitments, responsibilities and disengagement from previously important activities (APA, 2013). Also, clients may have an alcohol-use disorder if they are drinking in environments that are unsafe and even though they are well aware of the damaged it is doing them they continue drinking despite the harm and the problems it is …show more content…
Approximately 4.6% of 12- to 17-year-olds and 8.5% of adults have alcohol-use disorder in the United states (APA, 2013). It is most common among 18- to 29-years-olds and men (APA, 2013). In 2006 approximately 2.6% of New Zealanders had alcohol abuse disorder and 1.3% had alcohol dependence disorder. It was most common among 16-24 years olds at 7.1% with alcohol abuse and 3.0% with alcohol dependency (Wells, 2006). Alcohol-use disorder usually reaches diagnosable severity between late teens and mid 20s (Schuckit, 2009). Alcohol-use disorder usually occurs alongside depression and psychosis (Schuckit, 2006) and often for teens, anti social behaviour and conduct disorder (Dick et al.,