The pathophysiology, diagnosis, treatment, Nursing care and intervention of Alcoholism Stacy Cole Linda Burns Nursing 211 March 12, 2011
Alcoholism
Millions of people consume alcohol unaware of the dangers and consequences that come with this addictive liquid. Unknowing but willing this alcohol turns all gender, ages and races in to alcoholics.
This disease becomes a new challenge to any individual, the daily job of staying sober, healthy and family functional. Many will lose this battle by giving into the need to drink and drink and drink. I will explore and research this interesting and deteriorating disease
Is Alcohol a stimulant or depressant? My step-father is a heavy drinker but only on the weekends. Starting Friday after work he begins his binge, about a half of case of any beer. He then goes to the liquor store and buys any old thing. By Saturday he is so toasted he doesn’t even know his own name. This ritual is done every week and he denial, no addiction just weekend fun. Watching him be energetic and the life of the party and then crashing or passing out leads me to believe this is a depressant. Disease Condition Alcoholism is defined as a chronic, frequently progressive and sometimes fatal disease marked by impaired control over alcohol use despite adverse effects from its consumption. Dependence on alcohol tolerance of its effects and remissions and relapses are common. Psychosocial features includes preoccupation with alcohol use and denial of addiction, even when strong evidence to the contrary exists. (Taber's Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary, 2001). The cause of is unknown why people drink uncontrollably. Having more than 15 drinks a week for a man and 12 drinks a week for women is the range for alcoholism. People begin to drink as young as 12 years old and continue on into adulthood. The cells in the body are effected and has complex effects on the neurons in the CNS when consuming alcohol. Alcohol is absorbed directly from the stomach and small intestines. Alcohol is primarily metabolized in the liver, although a small amount is metabolized in the stomach. (Lewis, 2007)
In the first step, alcohol is converted to acetaldehyde using an enzyme called alcohol dehydrogenase
Alcoholism
(ADH). This conversion requires a coenzyme, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+). The second step, acetaldehype is then changed to acetate and finally to carbon dioxide and water. The conversion of acetaldehype to acetaldehype to acetate requires another enzyme known as aldehype dehydrogenase (ALDH), as well as the same coenzyme (NAD+) used in the initial conversion of alcohol to acetaldehype. (Milkman, 2010). This explains the need to use the bathroom frequently and the constant feel of thirst. The major risk of drinking are liver disease, heart disease, it may contibute to pancreatic cancer. Heavy drinkers are prone to alcohol hepatitis and cirrohosis. It affect women a little different due pregnancy it can cause miscarriage, premature birth, low birth weight and other complications. Disease Diagnosis Diagnosing Alcohol abuse is not simple, people have to be honest when questioned and willing to receive treatment. The DSM-IV has a criteria list starting with denial, rationalization, poor judgement, low sel-esteem and ineffective coping mechanism etc. There is also a tool called AUDIT Alcohol Use
Disorder Indentification Test, this is use a useful screening device to detect hazardous drinking
