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Psychologists Will Redefine Alcoholism

American Psychiatric Association officials will redefine alcoholism. They will add more symptoms too. They said that the new manual will help catch early drinkers.

Psychologists rewrite alcoholism definition

Have you ever woken up naked with an empty fifth next to you? If so, congratulations, you probably had a good time. But the bad news is, you’re probably also an alcoholic.

Interestingly, people who partake in heavy drinking — even fully clothed — may now be considered alcoholics too.

The New York Times reported Friday that American Psychiatric Association officials have decided to redefine alcoholism by rewriting the addiction manual — the “Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders” or DSM-5.

More qualifying symptoms of addiction are added to the mix. And drinkers only need to exhibit a few of these symptoms before they’re rubbing elbows with cocaine addicts, according to the Times.

The current diagnosis of “substance abuse” versus “substance dependence” would be replaced with new guidelines to take effect May 2013.

The change has some students of addiction concerned.

Still, Dr. Charles P. O’Brien, University of Pennsylvania psychology professor, claims the new manual will catch binge drinkers early, which will “stop them from getting to the point where they’re going to need really expensive stuff like liver transplants.”

However, Maria Szalavitz, reporter with Time.com, writes that her experience in covering addiction has made her wary of placing apples with oranges:

Szalavitz also contends the new criteria could diagnose up to 40 percent of college students, or at least those who get drunk, which to her seems like a big stretch.

This definition has an influence on how insurers, like Medicare and Medicaid, will pay for treatment. Other factors it will affect mental health court trials and pharmaceutical research.

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This changes can be tricky. However, if this new manual can help binge drinkers early , then I guess this is a good thing. I believe that this change will also affect insurance companies and mental health court trials..

Alcoholism as a Disorder

According to the author of this post, alcoholism is a chronic disease. The sufferer continuous to drink despite the negative effects of it with his/her work and relationship with people..

Addressing alcoholism as a disorder

There are various psychological disorders but today I am going to talk about alcoholism, which isvery common nowadays. Alcoholism is a chronic and progressive disease. Alcohol abuse is a disease that is characterised by the sufferer having a pattern of drinking excessively despite the negative effects of alcohol on the individual’s work, medical, legal, educational, and social life.

Alcoholism is a chronic (long-term) disease. People who suffer from alcoholism are obsessed with alcohol and cannot control how much they consume, even if it is causing serious problems at home, work and financially. Alcohol abuse generally refers to people who do not display the characteristics of alcoholism but still have a problem with it — these people are not as dependent on alcohol as an alcoholic is; they have not yet completely lost their control over its consumption.

Consuming moderate qua-ntities of alcohol will not usually cause any physical or psychological harm. Unfortunately, for some people social drinking eventually leads to heavier drinking, which can cause devastating health and psychological problems
Many people with alcohol problems do not recognise when their drinking gets out of hand.

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If you are suffering from alcoholism or you know someone who is alcoholic, it is best to seek help immediately. Counselling or support programmes can help you stop drinking completely.

Alcoholism: Is it All in Your Head?

When you drink and get drunk, does it really feel good or you are just doing the ritual? Is the pleasure of drinking alcohol is just all in your head?

Are The Pleasures of Drinking All In Your Head?

In my universe, Thursday night is date night, which usually means having a glass of wine or two with my husband at a restaurant or bar. Often, the mere anticipation of the buzz has me sighing with pleasure throughout the day. So is it the wine that's making me feel good, or is it the positive associations I have with the ritual?

According to a new study by researchers at The Miriam Hospital, our expectations can indeed influence our drinking habits. Lori A.J. Scott-Sheldon, Ph.D., the study's lead author, says, "If you believe alcohol gives you 'liquid courage' or that drinking helps you 'fit in' or be more social, you're likely to drink more."

The researchers aim to reduce college binge drinking by showing students that many of the great things they associate with alcohol are due to their expectations, rather than the alcohol itself.

To this end, they staged social experiments called "alcohol expectancy challenges." Students were taken in groups to a bar-like setting and given either an alcoholic or a non-alcoholic drink. No one knew which drink anyone else was given. Students then engaged in social activities, such as party games, and were asked to evaluate whether other participants were drinking alcohol versus a placebo. In the majority of cases, groups had difficulty determining who actually received alcohol and who did not.

The challenges have been designated by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism as one of only three effective alcohol-prevention treatments for college students.

But these findings, published in the journal, Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, are not only useful for college students. Head researcher Scott-Sheldon adapted her research for the layperson for The Atlantic Monthly online, and created five do-it-yourself strategies for reducing your drinking and maintaining a healthy relationship with alcohol. Below is my interpretation of her strategies:

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According to the research, "our expectations can indeed influence our drinking habits". So i guess if you think that alcohol can provide certain kind of pleasure, then it makes you to drink more. This makes a lot of sense.

More MPs Seek Help for Alcoholism

According to Speaker Bercow, more and more MPs are looking for help for alcoholism. He added that there may be some politicians that may have other addictions..

Alcoholic MPs seeking help, says Speaker John Bercow

An increasing number of MPs are seeking help for alcoholism as Parliament cracks down on Westminster's drinking culture, the Commons Speaker says.

John Bercow also suggested yesterday that there may be politicians with "other addiction issues".

Last week it emerged that Commons staff would be instructed to limit how often MPs' glasses are refilled at parliamentary receptions to encourage "responsible alcohol use". The crackdown follows a fight in the Commons Strangers' Bar, when Eric Joyce, the Falkirk MP, attacked other members.

Mr Bercow said there was no longer a heavy subsidy on alcohol served in Parliament's bars. "I think there are a number of other factors. There are issues relating to members who have had too much to drink," he said.

"It is important the medical service in the House is aware of members with problems. There is some evidence now that more members and staff who have got drink-related issues are seeking help and that's a positive.

"I think we are a reflection of society and just as there are people in every walk of life who have got issues to do with alcohol, and possibly other addiction issues, there can be problems in this place."

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I guess on the positive note, seeking help for alcoholism is a good decision. Every person have issues in their lives and some people would resort to any kind of addiction to get their head away from their problems. The most important thing here is to offer help from these people who are suffering from addiction like alcoholism..

Alcoholism – Is it More Harmful on Women?

According to senior hepatologist with Fortis Hospital, Monika Jain, alcohol may be harmful to women because the physiology of women allows greater toxicity. They have more increased health risks like liver and heart diseases as well as infertility..

Is alcoholism more harmful for women?

Alcohol in any amount can be dangerous to anyone but it affects women more than men, with increased health risks like liver and heart diseases and infertility for them, according to experts. According to Monika Jain, a senior hepatologist with Fortis Hospital, "the female physiology is such that it allows for greater toxicity with lesser amounts of alcohol and in lesser time, as compared to males."

"A woman's body doesn't break down the alcohol as quickly as a man's body does. This results in greater levels of alcohol in blood, resulting in greater toxicity," Jain told the media person.

"The enzyme, alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) which breaks down the alcohol in stomach is produced in smaller quantities in women resulting in slower action as compared to men," Jain added.

According to a publication by the US National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism(NIAAA), women who drink heavily face greater health risks than men who drink heavily, with women alcoholics being more prone to liver disease, heart damage and brain damage.

Amongst the other problems, the report claims, chronic heavy drinking can lead to menstrual problems, infertility, and early menopause while drinking during adolescence can interfere with puberty, growth, and bone health.

But the most vulnerable are the pregnant women who drink because in their case, even the unborn child is at risk from alcohol, which is a teratogen, a substance that can harm a foetus.

"Alcohol consumption by pregnant women can induce problems like Fetal Alcohol Disorder(FAD) and Abruption," Shivani Gour, a gynecologist and director of Isis hospital, told the media person.

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It is interesting that a woman's body doesn't break down the alcohol as quickly as a man's body does. This is the reason why women get drunk easily generally compared to men..