Alcohol_&_Alcoholic_Myopathy_Term_Paper

To combat any problem that exists or that could occur in the future because of current actions, you need to understand what that problem is. You need to recognize the telltale signs of its presence, and you need to know the possible causes that can lead to its manifestation. This is true of alcoholism and alcoholic myopathy. Being able to recognize the signs and being aware of the risk factors makes it possible to identify it, to battle it, and hopefully to avoid it. If more people were fully educated about the realities of alcoholism and the risks of alcoholic myopathy, the chances of bringing an end to a disease that has existed for over five hundred years would increase exponentially. What is alcoholism' In simplest terms, alcoholism is an addiction to alcohol, but it would be an error to think of alcoholism as being simple in any way. It goes far beyond alcohol abuse or overdrinking. ”Alcoholism is a chronic disease in which your body becomes dependent on alcohol” (Mayo Clinic staff, 2010). It is a need for alcohol that is so potent that the desire to drink overrides a person’s common sense and intellect. This intense craving can lead a person to continue drinking despite the destructive effect that it has on his or her life and physical health, and if not treated, the urge to consume alcohol can become the dominant aspect of an alcoholic’s entire existence. The primary difference between alcoholism and alcohol abuse lies in the addiction factor. Someone that abuses alcohol may continue to do so despite detrimental consequences in his or her life, but he or she does not experience the addiction response that essentially eliminates the choice whether or not to drink. In addition, alcohol abusers are less likely to experience the withdrawal that is common to alcoholics, and they may not build up a tolerance that requires them to drink greater quantities of alcohol to experience the same effect. It is important to note, however, that someone that abuses alcohol to the extent that he or she begins having difficulty controlling their habit can develop an addiction and thus become an alcoholic. “Becoming addicted to alcohol is a gradual process that happens as alcohol changes the level of chemicals in your brain, especially gamma-amino butyric acid or GABA (which stops you from being impulsive) and dopamine (which is linked with pleasurable feelings)” (Alcoholism, 2009). Unfortunately, while this medical explanation of why alcoholism occurs is possible, it is far more difficult to explain why one person becomes an alcoholic when another person does not. No definitive reason has yet been recognized for why it is possible for one person to have an occasional alcoholic drink without experiencing a loss of control while another person develops an addiction to alcohol, but certain risk factors that can increase someone’s susceptibility to alcoholism have been identified. According to the Mayo Clinic staff, some factors that increase the chances of alcoholism include: steady drinking over time, beginning to drink at an early age, being male, having a family history of alcoholism, being depressed or having another mental health problem, and having friends or a spouse who drinks regularly (Mayo Clinic staff, 2010). The fact that there are people who have all of these risk factors but never succumb to alcoholism as well as people whom have none of them that do develop alcoholism proves that risk factors aren’t guarantees. As previously stated, alcoholism is an addiction, and the causes for an addiction can vary greatly from one individual to the next. This makes it difficult to isolate every risk factor as well as to narrow down why a risk factor will lead to a problem for one person but not another. To more fully understand alcoholism, it is necessary to more fully understand what is meant by “addiction” when referring to this disease. This understanding will make it easier to identify the telltale signs of alcoholism and consequently differentiate between alcohol abuse and alcoholism. It will also make it easier to understand why an alcoholic has so much trouble quitting drinking despite the risk of serious health complications, including alcoholic myopathy. Addiction to alcohol occurs in two ways: psychologically and physically. One very rarely occurs without the other, and although psychological addiction almost always happens first, either one will eventually lead to the other. In fact, in alcoholism, these two types of addiction are so closely tied to one another it can be virtually impossible to separate them. For obvious reasons, it is critical to deal with both before an alcoholic can make a successful, lasting recovery. Psychological addiction is sometimes called emotional addiction because it causes cravings that are emotion-based. “Many times people abuse drugs or alcohol in order to have "fun" or to get a "buzz."  Many individuals, in fact, report that having a few drinks makes them feel more comfortable in social situations” (Emotional Components of Alcoholism, n.d.). It may seem harmless to think and act this way, but it can lead to psychological addiction as the person becomes dependent on alcohol to simply function during typical daily activities. This emotionally perceived need for alcohol can cause an addict’s thoughts to center on alcohol and ways to satisfy the craving for it. This obsession can then lead to antisocial, withdrawn, and secretive behavior that may alert friends and family of the problem. If psychological addiction is not treated, it will eventually lead to physical addiction. The drinking required to satisfy the psychological addiction will gradually cause an imbalance in the chemicals in the brain, and the alcoholic will develop a physical need to drink to reestablish that balance. Going too long without alcohol will generally lead to physical symptoms of withdrawal, including nausea, sweating, trembling, headache, and anxiety. “In extremely acute alcohol syndromes, a condition known as delirium tremens occurs, in which the individual hallucinates, is delirious, and suffers from a high fever and a rapid heartbeat” (Hanson, Venturelli, & Fleckenstein, 2009). Experiencing delirium tremens or the DT’s without being under medical care can be fatal, and when withdrawal is preceded by an especially intense or prolonged period of binge drinking, the DT’s can be accompanied by a condition known as acute alcoholic myopathy. “Myopathy means muscular disease, and generally refers to a disorder in which muscle weakness develops due to some malfunction of the actual muscle fibers” (Ohlen, 2011). Related to alcoholism, there are two types of myopathy: chronic alcoholic myopathy and acute alcoholic myopathy. Chronic alcoholic myopathy occurs in long-term alcoholics, and it results in a loss of muscle mass as the constant alcohol consumption gradually breaks down the muscle fibers. Acute alcoholic myopathy can manifest very rapidly during or following a period of especially intense or prolonged binge drinking, and it can include deterioration of muscular fibers, muscular cramping, inflammation, pain, inability to maintain balance, and mild to total paralysis depending on which muscle groups are affected. Generally, acute alcoholic myopathy affects the muscles of the upper body; especially those located in the upper back and shoulders, but it can also affect the muscles located in the hips and legs. The longer the individual afflicted with acute alcoholic myopathy has been an alcoholic, the more severe the symptoms tend to be. When someone who has been an alcoholic for a very long time, acute alcoholic myopathy will affect more muscle groups, moving from the upper body into the lower extremities, and there will be a substantially higher likelihood of the individual experiencing some degree of paralysis. Acute alcoholic myopathy can, in very rare cases, be life-threatening. In addition to the breakdown of the muscular fibers, acute alcoholic myopathy can also cause a buildup of potassium in the blood and tissues which can lead to kidney failure and death. Also, when acute alcoholic myopathy occurs with delirium tremens, the combination of confused erratic thoughts and severely impaired muscular control can lead to the individual engaging in bizarre behaviors that result in physical injuries. Someone afflicted with acute alcoholic myopathy, especially if they are also experiencing DT’s, needs to be under the close medical supervision. “Alcoholic myopathy generally begins to reverse once the individual achieves complete abstinence from alcohol” (Ohlen, 2011). In acute alcoholic myopathy the time required to make a full recovery is between five and seven days whereas it takes weeks or even months for a full recovery from chronic alcoholic myopathy. Of course, any recovery is fully contingent on remaining totally alcohol-free. Alcoholic myopathy is only one of the serious health consequences that can be experienced by someone with alcoholism. However, it is one of the lesser known alcohol related afflictions. Even most alcoholics (past and present) have never heard of alcoholic myopathy, and considering that “approximately 43% of American adults (have or) have had a child, parent, sibling or spouse who is or was an alcoholic” (Alcoholism Statistics, n.d.) increased awareness of what it is may save someone’s life. Alcoholism and alcoholic myopathy are serious problems that have existed for centuries. Through more widespread education and greater understanding by everyone of what alcohol can and does do to harm our minds and our bodies, there can be an increased chance of hope that these unnecessary diseases will cease to exist before more centuries pass. References: Alcoholic Myopathy: Important Facts. (2006). Retrieved April 8, 2011, from causesofalcoholism.net: http://www.causesofalcoholism.net/alcoholic_myopathy/alcoholic_myopathy.html Alcoholism. (2009, November 20). Retrieved April 3, 2011, from University of Maryland Medical Center: http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/alcoholism-000002.htm Hanson, G. R., Venturelli, P. J., & Fleckenstein, A. E. (2009). Drugs and Society (10th ed.). Sudbury, MS: Jones and Bartlett Publishers. Loyola Marymount University. (2006). History of Alcohol Use. Retrieved April 4, 2011, from Heads Up!: http://www.lmu.edu/Page25071.aspx Mayo Clinic staff. (2010, May 6). Alcoholism. Retrieved April 5, 2011, from Mayo Clinic: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/alcoholism/DS00340 Alcoholism Statistics. (n.d.). Retrieved April 8, 2011, from Alcoholism Information: http://www.alcoholism-information.com/Alcoholism_Statistics.html Emotional Components of Alcoholism. (n.d.). Retrieved April 8, 2011, from Alcoholism Information: http://www.alcoholism-information.com/Emotional_Components_of_Alcoholism.html National Center for Biotechnology Information. (2010, April 5). Alcoholism and alcohol abuse. Retrieved April 4, 2011, from Pubmed Health Home: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001940/ Ohlen, M. V. (2011, March 13). Alcoholic Myopathy. Retrieved April 4, 2011, from New England Addictions Examiner: http://www.examiner.com/addictions-in-hartford/alcoholic-myopathy