Substance Abuse Alcohol Addiction - 1399 Words

Substance Abuse: Alcohol Addiction S15107273 In my essay I will be conversing about a contemporary issue; Alcohol abuse and the implications for the individuals and for society. Alcohol is a drug also classified as a depressant that slows down dynamic functions that results in slow reactions, less concentration and distressed observations. Alcohol dependence is referred to as a chronic disease allied with excessive and habitual use of alcohol. Alcohol dependence comprises of four symptoms; craving, loss of control, physical dependence such as nausea, anxiety or sweating and finally tolerance. Alcohol affects individuals in many different ways such as inability to work, socialise and destructive behaviours for instance rash driving.†¦show more content†¦Statistics show that there were 6,570 deaths in England in 2005 from causes that were linked to alcohol and in 2006 it rose to 8,758. The biological perspective on alcoholism looks at the problem of brain functioning, how individuals become addicted to the chemicals the brain releases, not the substance or activity. Genetics are controlled by the brain functioning of individuals. The nation’s professional society of addiction physicians the ASAM is keen to treating and averting addiction. They state that genetic accounts for 50% of the probability that someone will develop an addiction. They describe addiction as a chronic disease of the brain. It is the brains capability that donates to the development of addiction. Alcoholism causes variations to the brain in four different ways; the changes to the brains natural balance also known as homeostasis, it alters the brain chemistry, it changes the brains communication patterns and lastly it causes changes to the brains structures and their functioning. The biological perspective on alcoholism looks at the symptoms such as drug seeking and craving are associated with the changes in the brain for instance the brains reward system is responsible for drug seeking and craving. Individuals are most likely to repeat behaviours that are pleasing and addiction captures this function.