Etiology
The development of alcoholism can be attributed to social, biological, and psychological factors. Social and cultural factors may be involved in how and why Joe first began consuming alcohol. Biological factors explain the way that alcohol affects the brain thereby influencing how Joe became dependent upon alcohol. Psychological factors are an additional cause to the development of alcohol use disorder when the effects of the drug interact with the patient’s personal beliefs, attitudes and personality traits. In “Abnormal Psychology” Thomas F. Oltmanns and co-author Robert E. Emery state that the causes of alcoholism are best understood using a framework that views the problem in terms of various stages: “1) initiation and continuation, …show more content…
If Joe did begin drinking during adolescence, he would be regarded by psychiatrist Robert Cloninger as a Type II Alcoholic (citation). Type II alcoholics are defined by Cloninger as early onset steady drinkers. This category is predominantly male and is claimed to be strongly influenced by heredity rather than environment, thus biological factors may account for Joe’s transition of occasional drinking as a teenager to alcohol abuse. According to the DSM-5, “alcohol use disorder runs in families, with 40%-60% of the variance of risk explained by genetic influences (American Psychiatric Association, 494). This means that over half of Joe’s disorder could be genetically determined. Neuroanatomy and neurochemistry are other biological factors to be considered. Alcohol influences reward pathways in the brain and affects several different types of neurotransmitters. The mesolimbic dopamine pathway, whereby dopamine levels increase by the body’s response to natural rewards (i.e., sex and hunger), is influenced by the effects of alcohol. GABA interneurons play a role within this system because they suppress the activation of dopamine cells. Therefore, several genes that affect the reception of GABA have been identified as a potential risk factor for developing alcohol dependence. Joe may have inherited these particular genes. …show more content…
He would need to stop drinking completely for between three to six weeks. Withdrawal is common as he gradually adjusts to not drinking. The detoxification phase can be done in a hospital or on an outpatient basis with close observation. He may be put on some sort of medication such as an anticonvulsant. Medications can also be used to help the patient continue past the stage of detoxification and into the stage of remission. It might help if Joe agreed to participate in Alcoholics Anonymous or another support group. The process of faithfully going to AA doubles abstinence rates. If those approaches didn’t work, cognitive-behavioral therapy is also an option. Joe would have to willingly be trained in appropriate behavior without alcohol in social situations. Because he was so used to drinking for work, this may prove to be a major challenge for Joe. He would additionally learn problem-solving procedures in which he could identify situations where heavy amounts of alcohol may be consumed and what alternative strategies besides drinking are. If Joe is willing enough to address his problem and stick to treatment, he could make a profound
The development of alcoholism can be attributed to social, biological, and psychological factors. Social and cultural factors may be involved in how and why Joe first began consuming alcohol. Biological factors explain the way that alcohol affects the brain thereby influencing how Joe became dependent upon alcohol. Psychological factors are an additional cause to the development of alcohol use disorder when the effects of the drug interact with the patient’s personal beliefs, attitudes and personality traits. In “Abnormal Psychology” Thomas F. Oltmanns and co-author Robert E. Emery state that the causes of alcoholism are best understood using a framework that views the problem in terms of various stages: “1) initiation and continuation, …show more content…
If Joe did begin drinking during adolescence, he would be regarded by psychiatrist Robert Cloninger as a Type II Alcoholic (citation). Type II alcoholics are defined by Cloninger as early onset steady drinkers. This category is predominantly male and is claimed to be strongly influenced by heredity rather than environment, thus biological factors may account for Joe’s transition of occasional drinking as a teenager to alcohol abuse. According to the DSM-5, “alcohol use disorder runs in families, with 40%-60% of the variance of risk explained by genetic influences (American Psychiatric Association, 494). This means that over half of Joe’s disorder could be genetically determined. Neuroanatomy and neurochemistry are other biological factors to be considered. Alcohol influences reward pathways in the brain and affects several different types of neurotransmitters. The mesolimbic dopamine pathway, whereby dopamine levels increase by the body’s response to natural rewards (i.e., sex and hunger), is influenced by the effects of alcohol. GABA interneurons play a role within this system because they suppress the activation of dopamine cells. Therefore, several genes that affect the reception of GABA have been identified as a potential risk factor for developing alcohol dependence. Joe may have inherited these particular genes. …show more content…
He would need to stop drinking completely for between three to six weeks. Withdrawal is common as he gradually adjusts to not drinking. The detoxification phase can be done in a hospital or on an outpatient basis with close observation. He may be put on some sort of medication such as an anticonvulsant. Medications can also be used to help the patient continue past the stage of detoxification and into the stage of remission. It might help if Joe agreed to participate in Alcoholics Anonymous or another support group. The process of faithfully going to AA doubles abstinence rates. If those approaches didn’t work, cognitive-behavioral therapy is also an option. Joe would have to willingly be trained in appropriate behavior without alcohol in social situations. Because he was so used to drinking for work, this may prove to be a major challenge for Joe. He would additionally learn problem-solving procedures in which he could identify situations where heavy amounts of alcohol may be consumed and what alternative strategies besides drinking are. If Joe is willing enough to address his problem and stick to treatment, he could make a profound