Thesis+Based+Research+Assignment

Introduction: I went down the research path of alcoholism because I view it as a very interesting topic and wanted to learn more about it. The driving question that guided my research is: what are the contributing factors to alcoholism? Before I can answer my driving question I must answer several more constricted questions. What is alcoholism? What is addictive thinking? What makes you an alcoholic? How can you prevent alcoholism?

A. Skipper, Greg. "Addiction Is a Disease." //Current Controversies: Alcoholism//. Ed. James D. Torr. : San Diego  Greenhaven Press, 2000. //Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center//. Gale. Springfield Township High School. 12 Oct. 2009 . 1. "Dorland's Medical Dictionary defines disease as "a definite morbid process having a characteristic train of symptoms; it may affect the whole body or any of its parts, and its etiology, pathology, and prognosis may be known or unknown." At first blush addiction certainly seems to satisfy this definition. The Jellinek curve graphically portrays the inexorable morbid progression of symptoms from surreptitious use, to compulsive use, to use despite adverse consequences and eventual isolation and loss of family, health, occupation and eventual incarceration or death" (Skipper 1). 2. "In fact, most diseases are self-imposed by behavior, at least in part. If someone smokes cigarettes and eats fatty foods and then gets coronary artery disease, they have largely caused their own problem. Likewise, someone with a family history of diabetes who eats enough to become overweight and then develops diabetes has tempted fate and caused much of their own problem. They are a victim of their own unhealthy behavior" (Skipper 1). 3. "when someone drinks it is never their goal to become addicted; however, they have caused their own problem, in part, and largely in ignorance, by their behavior. The fact that addiction is a disease should not in any way remove the burden of responsibility for causation (at least in part) or for treatment. In this way, addiction is like many other diseases" (Skipper 1).

B. Tweriski, Abraham J. and Craig Nakken. __Addictive thinking and the Addictive Personality__. MJF Books: New York. 1996. 1. "The addicted person is plagued by the compulsion to use chemicals" (Twirski 9). 2. "Both obsession and compulsion are characterized by the person's being preoccupied, even consumed, by something irrational" (Twirski 9).

C. __Substance Abuse: The Nation’s Number One Health Problem.__ Feb. 2001  1. "Alcoholism is a disease — a chronic, progressive, fatal disease if not treated" (Substance Abuse: 2). 2. "Heavy use of alcohol can lead to addiction" (Substance Abuse: 2). 3. Long-term effects of consuming large quantities of alcohol can lead to: • permanent damage to vital organs • several different types of cancer • gastrointestinal irritations, such as nausea, diarrhea, and ulcers • malnutrition and nutritional deficiencies • sexual dysfunctions • high blood pressure • lowered resistance to disease (Substance Abuse: 1).

D. Gorski, Terence T. "Alcoholism Should Be Treated as a Disease." //Opposing Viewpoints: Alcohol//. Ed. Scott Barbour. : San Diego  Greenhaven Press, 1998. //Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center//. Gale. Springfield Township High School. 8 Oct. 2009 . 1. "Alpha alcoholics are purely psychologically dependent but do not have physical dependence or damage. Jellinek was clear to assert that psychological dependency on alcohol alone did not constitute a disease state. Not all people with alcohol problems have the disease of alcoholism; some of them are alcohol abusers or problem drinkers who do not have the disease state" (Gorski 1). 2. "Beta alcoholics are socially and culturally heavy drinkers who were not physically addicted to the drug but suffered alcohol-related physical health problems, such as liver damage, in the absence of any pronounced signs of physical or psychological dependency. Beta alcoholism, Jellinek pointed out, is not of and by itself a disease, although the secondary damage to the organ system may be a disease" (Gorski 1). 3. "Gamma alcoholics exhibit progressive symptoms of both physical and psychological dependency upon alcohol. Looking retrospectively at chronic-stage alcoholism, this condition does progress and this research looked at retrospective studies only. Jellinek did view gamma alcoholism as a disease. In its end stages there was related organ-system damage, and he proposed an unknown "X factor" in terms of some function in the metabolism of the brain that created this disease state. 4. "Delta alcoholism characterizes someone physically and psychologically dependent on alcohol, but the intensity of their drinking does not increase—they drink the same amount every day. They are maintenance drinkers. Essentially, I think Jellinek was describing well controlled gamma alcoholism. He also considered delta alcoholism a disease" (Gorski 1). 5. "The epsilon alcoholic he described as the periodic alcoholic, who today we would call relapse-prone. This person has a period of sobriety, then relapses, has a binge, goes back into recovery, stays sober for a long time, then has another binge. This is a gamma alcoholic who has moved into incomplete or partial recovery and has become relapse-prone" (Gorski 1). 6. "The first modern-day medical researcher to study alcoholism, which at that time was termed "inebriety," was Dr. Benjamin Rush. His idea was that there was a syndrome of alcohol-related medical problems that he felt could best be described as a disease. His description of the symptoms was incomplete and quite primitive, but his inquiry started a process of medical examination of alcoholism as a disease (Gorski 1). 7. “When you look at the disease-model research you begin to find that the major subtypes of addiction are falling into three categories: //Primary alcoholism:// where alcoholism develops before any other psychiatric pathology. It has two subtypes; early onset, with people who seem to be more genetically and prenatally involved; and later onset, with people who are more environmentally influenced. //Secondary alcoholism:// where a psychopathology, primarily anti-social disorder or conduct disorders, precede the development of addiction. There are two subsets of this; abuse disorders, and dependence disorders secondary to the psychopathology. //Reactive alcohol and drug abuse:// where a person drinks alcoholically and addictively in response to environmental stressors, such as Vietnam. When the person returns, the stressor is gone and they spontaneously stop or moderate their drinking” (Gorski 2).

E. Institute, Baldwin Research. "Alcoholism Is Not a Disease." //Opposing Viewpoints: Alcohol//. Ed. Andrea C. Nakaya. : Detroit  Greenhaven Press, 2008. //Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center//. Gale. Springfield Township High School. 12 Oct. 2009 . 1. "According to the Baldwin Research Institute in the following viewpoint, the disease concept of alcoholism is based on fraudulent research and has no scientific basis" (Baldwin Research 1). 2. "This theory has been spread by an alcoholism treatment industry that earns billions of dollars from treatment programs, insists the institute; however, it actually creates a reduced chance of sobriety for alcoholics" (Baldwin Research 1). 3. "In reality, says the institute, alcoholism is a choice, and the best way for alcoholics to recover is to take responsibility for their alcoholism" (Baldwin Research 1).

F. "Alcoholism." Reviewed by Donald W. Goodwin. //Grolier Multimedia Encyclopedia//. 2009. Grolier Online. 12 Oct. 2009 . 1. “Alcoholism refers to the drinking of alcoholic beverages to such a degree that it seriously and repeatedly interferes with major aspects of an individual's life—such as work, school, family relationships, or personal safety and health” (alcoholism: 1). 2. “Alcoholism is considered a disease. It follows a characteristic course with known physical, psychological, and social symptoms. The alcoholic continues to consume alcohol despite the destructive consequences. It is generally thought that once the disease has developed, the alcoholic will not drink normally again” (alcoholism: 1). 3. “An alcoholic who abstains from drinking can regain control over the aspects of life with which alcohol interfered. The alcoholic is then said to be "recovering," not "cured" of the disease. It is important to note that the particular symptoms and pattern of drinking problems may vary with the individual. This variability has led some researchers to question the accuracy of the disease concept of alcoholism” (alcoholism: 1). 4. “The effects of alcoholism range from the direct physiological impact on the individual to a widespread effect on society. In the United States, one family in three is estimated to be affected in some way by a drinking problem” (alcoholism: 1). 5. “Children of alcoholics may be affected by a father's or mother's alcoholism in several ways. Having a problem-drinking parent increases the risk of becoming a problem drinker oneself. This may happen because of identification with or imitation of the alcoholic parent, but also because the social and family conditions associated with alcoholism are among those believed to contribute to the development of alcoholism. These include family conflict, divorce, job insecurity, and social stigma. Other problems reported in children of alcoholic parents in the United States and in Europe include hyperactivity, school problems, antisocial behavior, and drug use” (alcoholism: 1). 6. “Adoption studies indicate that children of alcoholics have an increased risk of alcoholism even when they have no exposure to drinking parents” (alcoholism: 1). 7. “Alcoholism is a complex disorder for which a combination of treatments may be necessary for recovery. If the alcoholic is in the acute phase of alcoholism and is suffering from complications such as delirium tremens or serious health problems, hospitalization may be necessary to let the alcoholic detoxify, or "dry out." Many types of treatment programs are available, ranging from self-help groups such as [|Alcoholics Anonymous], to outpatient clinics, halfway houses, psychotherapists, social centers, religious organizations, foster homes, hospitals, and inpatient centers” (alcoholism 2).

G. Alcoholics Anonymous. (2009). //Grolier Multimedia Encyclopedia//. Retrieved October 12, 2009, from Grolier Online http://gme.grolier.com/cgi-bin/article?assetid=0006200-0 1. “Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is perhaps the best-known and most successful [|alcoholism] recovery program. It was founded in the United States in 1935 by Dr. Robert Smith and Bill [|Wilson] ” (Alcoholics Anonymous: 1). 2. “AA defines alcoholism as a disease as well as a spiritual problem. The AA philosophy and program for recovery are stated in the 12 Steps to Recovery. The alcoholic must recognize his or her "powerlessness over alcohol" and seek help from a "higher power" in regaining control of his or her life. Although alcoholism, according to the AA philosophy, can never be cured—that is, the alcoholic can never safely drink again—the alcoholic can "recover" to lead a productive and normal life as long as he or she remains sober” (Alcoholics Anonymous: 1). 3. “Since its inception the organization has also reduced popular misconceptions of alcoholics by educating both professionals and the public about the nature of alcoholism. The related organizations of Al-Anon and Al-Ateen provide similar support to the families and children of alcoholics. Other organizations, such as Overeaters Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, Gamblers Anonymous, and Co-Dependents Anonymous, have adopted the "12-Step" program for recovery” (Alcoholics Anonymous: 1).

H. Kalant, Harold. "Addiction." //Grolier Multimedia Encyclopedia//. 2009. Grolier Online. 12 Oct. 2009 . 1. “Addiction is a complex concept that in its most basic form involves being unable to stop doing something despite adverse consequences associated with doing it. The term is most commonly used in association with [|drug abuse], [|alcoholism] , [|smoking] , or [|gambling] ” (Addiction: 1). 2. “When a person uses a drug for the first time, the active ingredient in that drug enters the [|blood]. From there it is carried to the [|brain] and to other tissues, where it begins to produce its own characteristic set of effects. The method by which the drug is taken affects the speed and intensity of these effects: intravenous injection and smoking produce the fastest onset and most intense peak effects, whereas drugs snorted through the nose enter the tissues more slowly and less intensely; drugs taken by mouth have the slowest and least intense effects, but those effects last longest” (Addiction: 1). 3. “If the overall balance is pleasurable, and the person begins to use the drug repeatedly, the brain adapts to the drug, and therefore larger doses of the drug are needed to produce the same degree of effect as previously.” (Addiction: 1). 4. “Another factor in addiction is conditioning. The surroundings, the company, and the rituals involved in taking a drug can all act as conditional stimuli for the drug user, and these factors evoke as a conditioned response the adaptive changes in the brain that are ordinarily a natural response to the drug itself” (Addiction: 1). 5. “If one keeps this pattern of events in mind, it becomes less difficult to make sense of the many different definitions of //addiction// or //dependence.// What they have in common is the use of a drug for its psychoactive effects, in such ways and amounts that lead to a very strong pattern of use over which the user no longer has full voluntary control; it is therefore extremely difficult for the user to stop, despite his or her possible desire to do so because of physical or mental harm, family or social problems, or difficulties with school, employment, or the law” (Addiction: 2).

I. Mansky, Peter A. "Alcoholism." //The New Book of Knowledge®//. 2009. Grolier Online. 12 Oct. 2009 . 1. “Alcoholism is a chronic illness of addiction to the sedative drug alcohol. Alcohol is one of the oldest and most widely used drugs. And many adults drink alcoholic beverages without becoming addicted. Addiction can be defined as the compulsive use of a substance. Compulsive drinkers drink in spite of knowing that drinking is affecting their lives in a harmful way. Alcoholics sometimes stop drinking. But unless treated they almost always start drinking again” (Mansky 1). 2. “Alcoholism is often diagnosed as either alcohol abuse or dependence. Alcohol abuse is a mild form of the illness. Alcohol dependence is a more severe form. It is often, but not always, marked by tolerance to the effects of alcohol and a withdrawal syndrome when the use of alcohol is stopped. About 13 percent of people in the United States will suffer from the illness of alcohol abuse or dependence during their lifetime” (Mansky 1). 3. “Alcoholism is known to be a hereditary illness. But its causes are not clearly understood. There does not seem to be a particular type of personality likely to become an alcoholic. Some alcoholics can at first drink large amounts of alcohol without feeling the effects of the alcohol and without having a hangover. This can make them think that they can drink alcohol without negative consequences. And the illness may show itself only after several years of drinking” (Mansky 1). 4. “There has been a substantial increase in the use of alcohol among young people. More people under age 21 are killed by alcohol than by illegal drugs. It is illegal in all of the U.S. states for anyone under 21 to purchase or possess alcohol. But the drinking of alcohol, especially binge drinking, has become an increasing problem among high-school and college students. Binge drinking is defined as consuming five or more drinks in a row for men and four or more in a row for women” (Mansky 1). 5. “ Alcoholics often show personality changes once they drink compulsively. They may become angry and argumentative, quiet, or depressed. Often a small amount of alcohol causes persons with alcoholism to feel even more anxious, sad, tense, and confused. They then seek relief by drinking more” (Mansky 1). 6. “Many medical problems affect alcoholics. Serious damage to the liver, heart, stomach, and other organs, especially the brain, can result from the overuse of alcohol. Many alcoholics do not eat properly. So some of their ills are caused by poor nutrition as well as by the direct effects of alcohol on the body” (Mansky 1).

Findings:

1. Alcoholism is a addiction that affects many adults but is the choice of a person no body else can decide for you.

2. Alcoholics Anonymous is a program that helps the mind recover from an alcoholic addiction. 3. There are many long lasting affects of alcoholism. 4. There are many different types of Alcoholism, some more severe than others. 5. When an Alcoholic has a child, the child is more likely to become addicted to abusing this substance because it is what they are used to.
 * H3, G1, H2
 * H5, C3
 * D 1-5
 * I4, F5, A2

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__Process Reflection__: I learned that alcohol is a choice, but can be treated as a disease. Alcoholism is a very serious problem but to fix it the person must want to change. For my project I still need to interview recovering alcoholics and get views from actual people who go through AA. I thought alcoholism to be a disease in some way, and it is. But it is also a persons concious choice to drink alcohol, and once someone does so compulsivly they can become addicted. ====== __Connections__: My findings connect to my overall project because I got different important information from different sources stating evidence of alcohol being a serious problem, it’s more of a choice but the addictive thinking makes it a disease. My research will help me come to a conclusion, and help me back up my thesis.