The chosen topic is alcohol dependency by adults, a societal and healthcare problem. The choice is due to various experiences I have witnessed over the last ten years involving my family, friends, and neighbors. Many individuals consume alcohol for different reasons, including the belief that getting drunk can help escape problems, enhance sociability and increase power. Others use alcohol in celebrations for enjoyment and ritualistic purposes. While different people drink alcohol for various motivations, they may lose the ability to control their urges leading to dependence (Saunders et al., 2019). Alcohol dependence is a chronic condition involving a past or present record of excessive drinking, unending craving for alcohol, and persistent, recurring problems associated with the inability to decide when to use the chemical.
The number of people experiencing alcohol dependence is high, which increases death and disabilities. It is estimated that approximately 15 million US adults are experiencing the effect of alcohol disorder (Yeganeh et al., 2022). Alcohol-related issues claim the lives of about 80000 people every year in the US, and it is the third leading cause of death (Yeganeh et al., 2022). Alcohol consumption is common to many, but it becomes a problem when individuals cannot maintain control over when to drink, depending on existing circumstances.
Alcohol dependence is considered a disease indicating that people should avoid viewing it as a moral failing. Addiction or dependency does not happen to weak or immoral individuals but can affect anyone. It is a chemical process that alters the functioning of the brain. Some effects include cognitive problems such as memory loss, learning problems, and mental issues when the situation becomes severe. Various factors are associated with alcohol dependence based on environmental and personal elements. These risk factors include psychological circumstances, genetics, religion, cultural practices, employment status, age, and environment. If an individual has depression and social anxiety are more likely to become alcohol dependent compared to the rest of the population. People who have psychological disorders likely turn to alcohol as a manner of coping with their difficulties. For instance, several schizophrenia patients believe the drug helps calm their situation and elevate their moods. This occasionally happens with individuals uncomfortable with prescribed medication or find such drugs to have unpleasant side effects.
Personal traits influence the risk of alcohol addiction because they determine people’s choices in day-to-day activities. For instance, individuals with a habit of pursuing or disregarding risks are likely to drink excess alcohol despite knowing the side effects. When one believes that alcohol will improve their confidence and comfort, they are likely to drink excess to show others that they are excellent at conversations and interactions in social settings. Those who perceive alcohol as a cause of negative behaviors are likely to avoid using it excessively (Anker & Kushner, 2019). Different factors combine and integrate to cause alcohol dependence in individuals, which creates a possibility of experiencing withdrawal symptoms after cessation.
The audience for this presentation is an Employee Assistance Professional (EAP) tasked with providing workplace services to employees struggling with alcohol dependence. The EAP program can connect the workforce to specialists who offer behavioral health services and working treatment alternatives (Philips et al., 2022). EAP professionals can offer individual assessments, consultation, counseling, and treatment referrals. Such efforts are crucial for fighting and correcting alcohol dependency in the workplace.
Alcohol leaves families confused and unhappy with the loss of control by individuals suffering from the effects of dependence. The situation is a burden for victims and their loved ones who wish to work as a team in treatment. However, the bible states, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). God is willing to help individuals undergo the difficult recovery process to gain control of their lives.
References
Anker, J. J., & Kushner, M. G. (2019). Co-occurring alcohol use disorder and anxiety: bridging psychiatric, psychological, and neurobiological perspectives. Alcohol research: Current Reviews, 40(1).
English Standard Version Bible. (2001). ESV Online. Web.
Philips, S. B., Cagnon, D. A., Buehler, D. L., Remón, M. E., & Waldecker, T. R. (2022). Employee Assistance Programs in Higher Education (pp. 7-25). Routledge.
Saunders, J. B., Degenhardt, L., Reed, G. M., & Poznyak, V. (2019). Alcohol use disorders in ICD‐11: Past, present, and future. Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, 43(8), 1617-1631. Web.
Yeganeh, Z., Cuervo, C., Rahimi, M., Kopatsis, A. P., & Kopatsis, A. (2022). Trends and outcomes of alcoholic intoxication in Trauma Patients. Web.
Yoshimura, A., Kimura, M., Matsushita, S., Yoneda, J. I., Maesato, H., Komoto, Y. & Higuchi, S. (2021). Alcohol dependence severity determines the course of treatment‐seeking patients. Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, 45(11), 2335-2346. Web.