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Introduction
Alcohol dependence is a wide and diverse topic that needs to be well evaluated and understood for sustainability (Inaba and Cohen, 2007, p. 7). This is because it relates to a lot of issues that are relevant in our society. Alcohol dependence can also be described and termed as psychiatric dependence. In this case, it should be understood that psychiatric dependence can be manifested through various aspects and issues.
This means that an individual can continue using alcohol as time goes by. Such individuals will continue using alcohol even though they have some notable symptoms of a specific and given dysfunction (Widiger, 2003, p. 12). In a broad perspective, they might also display an aspect of physical alcohol dependence. In extreme cases, there are occasions where alcohol dependence is shown in hardship-related issues in life.
Discussion
It should be known that alcohol dependence must display some specific aspects and characteristics over a given period. In our case, it is over 12 months (Widiger, 2003, p. 10). As far as the DSM-IV criterion is concerned, one must manifest a wide range of characteristics to be termed as an alcohol-dependent individual. Such individuals can have tolerance and some symptoms of withdrawal.
Another characteristic of alcohol-dependent people is that they use the drug over a long period. In this case, they use it in large amounts that have not been witnessed before (Inaba and Cohen, 2007, p. 15). Others will tend to have a long desire to use drugs. This means that they have been unsuccessful in a bid to reduce their intake of drugs as time goes by. Another notable characteristic and criterion are that such individuals will always spend most of their time on alcohol.
They spend most of their time obtaining alcohol. On the other hand, they also spend their time recovering from the bad effects of alcohol. An alcohol-dependent person will likely give up his/her social pursuits as time goes by. It should be known that recreational and professional activities might also be given up in favor of alcohol (Widiger, 2003, p. 17). This means that they will always feel happy when they are taking alcohol than when they are busy with their work.
Most people who are alcohol dependent know the effects of what they are doing but they dont shy away from taking it. This means that they are not ignorant as far as the harm of abusing alcohol is concerned (Inaba and Cohen, 2007, p. 21). There has been an argument that there are some environmental and hereditary factors that revolve around addiction. As much as the hereditary aspect has not been fully proved, an individuals environment can immensely contribute to alcohol addiction.
There is a neurochemistry aspect behind alcohol addiction. For somebody to shy away from the addiction to alcohol, they are supposed to get some information on drug psychology (Widiger, 2003, p. 23). Therefore, counselors are supposed to get information about the individual from all perspectives. This is because drugs work constantly and various metrics need to be understood for sustainability.
Conclusion
It should be known that some researchers have always argued that there is a very big relationship between addiction and genetics. This means that there should be a good approach to compulsive behaviors and the causes of addiction. Various tests can be done on an individual to tell if they have been abusing alcohol.
This can also be used to gauge an individuals dependence on alcohol. It should be known that patients might have different problems and symptoms that relate to drinking and dependence on alcohol. As a matter of fact, alcohol abuse can be differentiated from alcohol dependence. This can be done by looking at various symptoms like withdrawal and tolerance.
Reference list
Inaba, D. S., & Cohen, W. E. (2007). Uppers, downers, all arounders: Physical and mental effects of psychoactive drugs. Ashland, Ore: CNS Publications, Inc.
Widiger, A, T. (2003). Handbook of Psychology: Clinical psychology. New York: John Wiley and Sons.
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