The first to advocate alcoholism as a disease was Benjamin Rush (1785-1843), and he even proposed that hospitals should be established to aid in the treatment of this disease (Cox, 1987). Since Rush, there have been many more definitions of alcoholism including the Statistical Abstracts (1979) account that an alcoholic is def

Researchers have also studied biochemical differences between alcoholics and non-alcoholics. This research has revealed differences in how the white blood cells of alcoholics and non-alcoholics respond to alcohol (Wynbrandt & Ludman, 1991). Wynbrandt and Ludman (1991) suggest that “this may lead to a simple blood test for identifying those with a predisposition to developing the disorder” (p.14).

WG is an alcoholic or substance abuser according to the outlines set forth in the DSM-IV. WG is a 24 year old male and currently resides at his father’s dwellings in Red Deer, Alberta. As the result of numerous years of drinking to excess have forced this man into the situation that he now finds himself. WG does not currently have his driver’s license because he received an impaired ticket from the police late last year and lost his license for a year. WG has a casual job with his father’s company and works only when he needs money to purchase more alcohol.

Yet another psychoanalytic variation on the interpretation of alcoholism is that because of oral frustrations during infancy, young children become enraged with their parents, but “since they are unable directly to express their hostile impulses to their more powerful parents, the impulses become self-directed” (Cox, 1987, p.58). This view has been largely endorsed by Menninger (1938) who states that alcohol serves two functions. Alcohol functions by allowing alcoholics to gratify both their oral cravings and their self-destructive tendencies (Cox, 1987). Menninger inferred that alcoholics are self destructive due to their deep-rooted habit of consuming alcohol even regardless of the negative consequences that will occur because of this consumption (Cox, 1987).

(2) recurrent substance use in situations in which it is physically hazardous (e.g., driving an automobile or operating a machine when impaired by substance use)

This approach suggests that recovery will take place “through direct practice, verbal persuasion, modeling, and physiologic pathways [which] the individual must acquire successfully and practice alternative intrapersonal and interpersonal skills to develop high enough levels of self-efficacy to resist demanding situations” (Abrams & Niaura, p.140). The individual must learn to identify potentially risky environmental (e.g., at a party) or personal (e.g., negative moods) situations as antecedents of drinking through self-reflection (Abrams & Niaura, 1987). The individual must also be able to acquire the self-regulatory, and delay of gratification skills that will allow for better decision making around alcohol use. “Overly positive expectations about the consequences of alcohol use must be replaced by a more balanced set of expectations including the long-term negative consequences” (Abrams & Niaura, 1987, p.140). The best course of action for individuals who experience severe drinking problems and have predisposing risk factors is to follow a policy of complete abstinence from alcohol consumption (Abrams & Niaura, 1987). It is believed that other individuals may “grow out” of their problem with alcohol. Others may experience only brief episodes of problem drinking. Heather and Robertson (1983) maintain that some “may be able to resort to controlled drinking but the specific individual profiles and behaviors to be mastered must be established clearly for this subgroup” (Abrams & Niaura, 1987, p.140). Abrams and Niaura (1987) state that “ultimately, the central theses of SLT [Social Learning Theory] of alcohol use is that responsible alcohol use depends on cognitive self-regulation in a stressful world where many ‘quick fixes’ are readily available” (p.140).

During high school WG started experimenting with alcohol but he did finish high school and received his diploma. When WG finished high school he moved back to Red Deer and moved in with his father who hired WG as a construction labo

Some topics in this essay:
O’Brien Chafetz, Abrams Niaura, Psychoanalytical Approach, Wynbrandt Ludman, Deer Alberta, Red Deer, Benson Wilsnack, Butcher Carson, Learning Theory, DSM-IV WG, chafetz 1982, o’brien chafetz, o’brien chafetz 1982, abrams niaura, abrams niaura 1987, niaura 1987, cox 1987, wynbrandt ludman 1991, ludman 1991, learning theory, bandura 1969, substance abuse, wynbrandt ludman, social learning theory, orally fixated adult,