UMGC Arguments for And Against Classifying Alcohol Dependiction Discussion

Tolerance/craving/withdrawal

With regular heavy use of alcohol, the activity of the CNS is chronically depressed. With abstinence, this chronic depressant effect is removed. There follows a period of rebound hyperactivity. Late withdrawal phenomenon refers to withdrawal-like symptoms that occur after the period normally associated with withdrawal. Withdrawal occurs in a physically dependent person whenever a drug is reduced or terminated, so circumstances may play their part and catch some people unaware.

Review these two articles on withdrawal:

Web Journal: Alcohol Health and Research World. Introduction to Alcohol Withdrawal.

Retrieved from http://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/arh22-1/05-12.pdf

Web Journal: Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome (American Family Physician)

Retrieved from https://www.aafp.org/afp/2004/0315/p1443.html

Behavioral aspects

The moods and behaviors associated with alcohol disorders can be very volatile—jubilant and expansive, then secretive, angry, suspicious. The behaviors are sometimes more pronounced when the individual has stopped drinking or is working very hard at controlling the drinking.

Resource: Long, P. (2015). Alcohol use disorder (Alcoholism), Internet mental health. Retrieved from http://www.mentalhealth.com/home/dx/alcoholdependence.html

Answer below questions in 200 words for each question and list the references at the end of each question.

• What information do you consider important to be conveying to the general public regarding the impact of the acute usage of alcohol on the body?
• Discuss the arguments for and against classifying alcohol dependence as a disease. Are there differences with drug addiction? How about compulsive gambling?