Essay Sample on Alcohol Addiction

Introduction

Alcohol addiction also referred to as alcoholism, is the increased frequency of consumption of alcoholic beverages. The psychological dependence of these drinks makes it difficult for one to manage their drinking habits as well as function effectively. Alcohol-related disorders are categorized into mild, moderate, and severe, each with its symptoms and effects. Addiction result from various causes such as psychological, behavioral, genetic, and social. Individuals suffering from alcoholism are physically dependent on the substance and experience life-threatening and severe withdrawal symptoms upon quitting (Matosic et al., 2016). I have been a mild alcohol addict for three years due to increased peer pressure and sociological factors.

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Most of my friends often purchased the substance at local outlets as they were cheap and readily affordable. Every day after work, I often passed by our local joint where the drinks were offered at 'half the price.' This period, also referred to as happy hour attracts individuals from diverse walks of life. On weekdays, I have difficulty in regulating the amount of alcohol I consume due to its low price. At times, my colleagues offer to take care of the bills which makes it difficult to control my addiction. However, over the last two days, I have refrained from alcohol consumption by keeping off my alcoholic friends and boarding a bus home after work. On the first day, it was quite hard as we often left work as a group and I was walking alone. I also knew that to win the battle, I had to fight it from within and not involve other parties since they would hamper my efforts to stop alcohol consumption. On the second day, I had difficulty in concentrating at work. I was even tempted to visit the bar over the lunch hour to quench my thirst as well as improve my concentration at the workplace. In the evening, I bought a 250 ml whiskey bottle as the withdrawal symptoms were getting worse including a throbbing headache and lack of focus. I consumed it at home and vowed to continue decreasing the alcohol consumption levels until I no longer needed it to function normally.

Genetic Model of Alcohol Addiction

Alcohol addiction is a behavioral condition and also can be explained using the genetic model. Adductions are a diverse set of complex situations which are tied to genetic and environmental factors. Understanding the genetic factors influencing addiction can be used to individualize alcohol treatment and prevention. Addiction is linked to the genetic heritage of individuals which means that the use of alcohol can be contributed by genetic and environmental factors around an individual (Ducci & Goldman, 2012). The long-lasting neuroadaptive changes due to repeated exposure to alcohol results in drug-seeking behaviors and persistent patterns that constitute addiction.

Common Defenses for Alcohol Addiction

Defense mechanisms against common behavior in life are used to avoid the reality of life regarding the consequences of the addiction. In this case, the most common defense towards alcohol addiction is denial, blaming and projection. These defensive mechanisms help to reduce uncomfortable thoughts and feelings towards the habit and promote normal functionality. The defensive devices support a distorted reality that hides the struggle and becomes an insulating layer of self-deception (Rinn, Desai, Rosenblatt, & Gastfriend, 2002). The defenses are primitive and include;

Denial: This is the initial defense mechanism which involves denying that the problem exists by comparing with other areas in life (Rinn et al., 2002). In this case, I use my good performance and health as a means of denial against alcohol addiction.

Regression: This involves isolation from friends and family members to be able to enjoy alcohol without any judgment from the people and friends that are around (Iwanicka et al., 2017). Regression is a useful defense mechanism because it limits contact people who can question my behavior.

Projection: This refers to the projection on one's addiction to those that are close such as parent and siblings especially those that have previously been engaged in similar activities such as drinking or smoking while they were young (Iwanicka, Gerhant, & Olajossy, 2017). Projection is a means of shifting the blame towards those that are close to us, and it is used to reduce any form of guilt. In this case, I use projection to comfort my addiction by comparing it with a sibling and parent who has previously used alcohol to prevent possible questioning from those that are close. The defense as mentioned earlier mechanisms has been useful in avoiding unnecessary confrontations with people who would like to change my behavior.

Identification of Treatment Approach and Crisis Intervention Strategies

Medication

Medications can be used in the treatment of alcohol addiction by easing the treatment process to reduce the negative impacts of withdrawal during the detoxification process. Medication-assisted detoxification is a process in the treatment process that comes before further treatment methods (Haber, Lintzeris, Proude, & Lopatko, 2009). The medication is used to reestablish the normal functioning of the brain and helps in the prevention of a possible relapse in the future. In alcohol addiction, FDA approved medications are available to treat dependence on alcohol such as the naltrexonedisufiram and acamprosate. The Naltrexone works by blocking the opioid receptors that provide a rewarding effect of drinking which reduces the craving for alcohol. Acamprosate is believed to be effective in reducing withdrawal effects also such as anxiety, restlessness, and insomnia which promotes a peaceful transition from alcohol addiction (Haber et al., 2009). Thus, medication treatment when handling alcohol addiction is essential because it helps to address withdrawal symptoms and promote a complete change of behavior.

Behavioral Therapy Treatment

Behavioral therapy follows the medication or is used together to modify the attitudes and behaviors of an alcohol addicted individual. Medication without behavioral change leads to temporary cessation to alcohol abuse which leads later to relapse of the problem. The use of therapy is essential in identifying possible psychological issues that motivate addicts to continue using alcohol which helps promote sustainable treatment (Haber et al., 2009). Therefore, it is necessary to change attitudes and behaviors of an addict to be able to rehabilitate them fully.

Exercise Insights in Creating Intervention Strategies

Alcohol addiction is a complex problem that requires a multi-strategy intervention approach to reduce possible relapse and also to overcome the patient defense mechanism. Alcohol addiction results in an uncontrollable craving for alcohol even in the face of devastating consequences to health. Defense mechanism such as denial, regression, and procrastination are major hindrances of active intervention in alcohol addiction. This can be overcome through the use of medication and behavioral therapy to suppress negative attitude and withdrawal effects which reduce one's adherence to the treatment in the long term. Using a single strategy to treat alcohol addiction mostly results in short-term gains and long-term relapse of the problem. Family therapy has been noted as a necessity in alcohol addiction treatment by eliminating any negative influences that lead to alcohol abuse and improves the overall functioning of the family.

References

Ducci, F., & Goldman, D. (2012). The genetic basis of addictive disorders. Psychiatric Clinics, 35(2), 495-519.

Haber, P., Lintzeris, N., Proude, E., & Lopatko, O. (2009). Guidelines for the treatment of alcohol problems. Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing. The University of Sidney. June 2009.

Iwanicka, K., Gerhant, A., & Olajossy, M. (2017). Psychopathological symptoms, defense mechanisms and time perspectives among subjects with alcohol dependence (AD) presenting different patterns of coping with stress. PeerJ, 5, e3576.

Matosic, A., Marusic, S., Vidrih, B., Kovak-Mufic, A., & Cicin-Sain, L. (2016). Neurobiological bases of alcohol addiction. Acta Clinica Croatica, 55(1.), 134-150.

Rinn, W., Desai, N., Rosenblatt, H., & Gastfriend, D. R. (2002). Addiction denial and cognitive dysfunction: a preliminary investigation. The Journal of Neuropsychiatry and clinical neurosciences, 14(1), 52-57.