Chapter 9 Alcohol Use Flashcards
what are the two types of alcohol disorders?
Alcohol Abuse Alcohol Dependence (Alcoholism). 1 in 12 American adults is an alcohol abuser or alcoholic
what is alcohol abuse?
A maladaptive pattern of drinking, leading to impairment and distress.
What are the manifestation of alcohol abuse?
Failure to fulfill major role at work, school, or home
Recurrent alcohol use in situations in which it is physically hazardous
Recurrent alcohol-related legal problems
Persistent or recurrent social or interpersonal problems
What is BINGE DRINKING?
Drinking a great deal in one sitting (5 for males and 4 for females)- enough to bring it to .08% blood level
Demographics predictors of binge drinking
Age: more common in young adults (18-29). Age of onset younger you are more likely to binge
Income; More common in households with $75k or above
Race; more common in white - Sex; More common in males
College-related activities: a) Belonging to a fraternity or sorority; b) being an athlete; c) living on campus
what are Drinking descriptive norms?
beliefs about how much people (e.g., peers) you know or are similar to drink
what are Drinking (injunctive) norms?
beliefs about whether or not you think people you know would approve of you drinking
Usually researchers look at peer or parental drinking norms
Personality predictors of drinking Sensation-seeking
Seeking of varied, novel, complex and intense experiences and willingness to take financial, social and legal risks to do so
Personality predictors of drinking Neuroticism
tendency to experience negative affect (e.g., depressive symptoms or anxiety) Ex. I am emotionally unstable, easily upset, I Can be moody, I am not calm in tense situations
Personality predictors of drinking Extraversion
Tendency to be outgoing, talkative, assertive, cheerful
Higher extraversion is associated with greater drinking
Personality predictors of drinking Conscientiousness
Tendency to be self-disciplined, orderly, detail-oriented, and responsible. Lower conscientiousness is associated with greater drinking
Define alcohol dependence
A maladaptive pattern of drinking, leading to clinically significant impairment or distress
what are the physiological manifestation of alcohol dependence?
Tolerance: need for markedly increased amounts of alcohol to achieve intoxication
Physical Dependence: withdrawal syndrome for alcohol or drinking to avoid withdrawal
Loss of control: drinking in larger amounts or over a longer period than intended
Craving: persistent desire or one or more unsuccessful efforts to cut down or control drinking
what are the behavioral manifestation of alcohol dependence?
Important social, occupational, or recreational activities given up or reduced because of drinking.
A great deal of time spent in activities necessary to obtain, to use, or to recover from the effects of drinking.
Continued drinking despite knowledge of having a persistent or recurrent physical or psychological problem
Genetic basis of alcohol disorders
Twin studies: compare concordance rates for monozygotic (MZ- identical) with rates for dizygotic (DZ- fraternal) twins
Adoption studies: compare whether adopted children’s drinking habits are more similar to adopted vs. biological parents. Meta-analysis results: 30-60% heritable
Addiction Model
Addiction: alcohol is a highly addictive substance and heavy drinking will lead to alcohol problems in ANYONE
Disease Model
Disease: alcohol is only highly addictive for CERTAIN PEOPLE; heavy drinking only leads to alcohol problems for people with a genetic predisposition
Two theories that explain alcohol disorders
OPERANT CONDITIONING: consequences of behavior influence likelihood of behavior. Short-term reinforcement is VERY IMPACTFUL. the Learning experience that is NOT effectively counterbalanced by long-term punishments.
OBSERVATIONAL: Past and present experiences of parents or peers modeling drinking patterns
Stress and Alcohol
Greater stress is associated with greater drinking
Acute stress: stress that is time-limited (e.g., sexual assault; everyday hassles)
Chronic stress: stress that recurs or goes on over long period of time (e.g., war veterans, child abuse)
Alcohol most effective treatment
Brief “opportunistic” interactions with health care providers either in doctor visits or emergency room visits that focus on the consequences of problematic alcohol use and advice/suggestions about cutting down on drinking
Alcohol treatment Individual Counseling
Psychotherapy: multiple approaches with main aim to identify the causes of the drinking and address them
Cognitive behavioral therapy: focus is on reducing levels of drinking. developing coping strategies; and avoiding triggers. Subscribes more to alcohol dependence model, rather than disease
Motivational interviewing: warm, empathic relationship; indirect, not confrontational, approach that focuses on increases person’s own intrinsic (personal) motivation to stop drinking and increasing self-esteem and self-efficacy
Alcohol treatment Medical
Antabuse: medication given to alcoholics to make them vomit or become nauseous if they drink of alcohol.
In-patient treatment: 3-7 day detoxification program from alcohol, using medications to ease withdrawal symptoms
30 day+ rehabilitation program aimed at education about alcohol, its consequences, strategies for avoiding drinking, coping with stress
Alcohol treatment Self-help group
Alcoholics Anonymous: self-help group made up of recovering alcoholics, which promotes abstinence from alcohol; subscribes to DISEASE MODEL; focuses on
making amends for harm, giving and receiving support from others, attending meetings where share stories about consequences of drinking and coping strategies
Education and Alcohol
Drinking industry suggests EDUCATION of population about sensible drinking but Education does not work with problematic drinkers who account for MOST of the drinking in the population
Half of world’s alcohol consumption is done by 10% of drinkers
