Alcoholism

1. Note international consumption-UK .

2. Definitions are somewhat confusing.

a. WHO-persons having a life problem due to drinking.

b. Nat. Council on A.-other diagnostic signs must be present as in Jellineck's alpha beta gamma delta.

c. Behaviorists such as Miller suggest a continuum of
problem drinking to alcoholism.

d. APA- DSM III-R's psychoactive substance abuse and dependence

3. There are 10 million alcohol addicts in US and the number is apparently increasing particularly among youth.

Note high school graduates and drinking.

4. Alcohol is our most dangerous drug

a. associated with now less than half of all traffic deaths.

b. Also 50% of murders, 40% of assaults, 35% of rapes and 30% of suicides.

c. Also one of the largest causes of mental retardation
- fetal alcohol syndrome.

d. alcoholism is the third leading cause of death behind cardiovascular disease and cancer and of course contributes to those.

e. A. can cause psychoses due to brain damage from toxicity and vitamin deprivation. DT's, alcoholic hallucinosis, a. deterioration and Korsakoff syndrome.

f. life span is shortened by 12 years.

g. Accounts for 30% of health car costs.

h. estimated to affect the GNP by over 25 billion in th e'80s per year in losses to industry in lost productivity and accident.

5. there are many myths about alcohol.

6. Possible causes of Alcoholism

a. genetic

b. cultural

c. psychological

7. Treatment

a. Medical treatments are disappointing

i. detox

ii. gold cure(antabuse)

iii. surgery

b. psychological treatments are more promising

i. AA is difficult to evaluate

ii. Behavior therapy