Substance Abuse/ Alcoholism

Courtney Smith &

Santiago Ruiz

Definition of both substance abuse and alcoholism

Substance abuse– Not being able to adjust a pattern of use of a

substance that is not considered a dependent. Alcohol abuse

– Is a disease that is characterized by the sufferer having a pattern of drinking excessively despite the negative individuals work medical legal educational and or social life.

The history

First found by accident When a bunch of grapes or basket of plums were

left standing in a warm place, allowing the fruits sugars to ferment into alcohol.

People were using it in 8000 B.C.

Causes

Low self esteem. DepressionAnxiety GeneticsThere is not one single cause.

Symptoms

Signs if alcohol intoxication includes the smell of alcohol on the breath or skinGlazed or blood shot eyesThe person being unusually passive Argumentative

Diagnosed If you rely on alcohol to function or feel physically compelled to drink you’re an alcoholic.If you think you an alcoholic you can answer a few questions.

Honestly if you want to truly knowThey don’t ask how much the ask about problems associated with drinking

Cures and or treatments

For people who have stopped drinking have cravings for alcohol It work by affecting the neural pathways in the brainAlcoholics anonymous if you want to get helpThere is no medical cure availableFirst step is wanting to get help.Second with drawls include confusion, hallucinations, and death

Functional or Organic?

• This disorder is a fictional disorder because it has involvement in heredity.

Work Cited

• http://www.theathlete.org/drug-abuse/history.htm

• http://www.medicinenet.com/alcohol_abuse_and_alcoholism/article.htm

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Substance_abuse• http://alcoholism.about.com/od/about/a/diagnos

is.htm• http://

alcoholism.about.com/od/about/a/treatment.htm• http://helpguide.org/mental/alcohol_abuse_alco

holism_signs_effects_treatment.htm• http://alcoholism.about.com/od/meds/a/naltrexo

ne.htm• http://www.treatmentforalcohol.net/