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Discussion on Alcohol
Alcohol use or consumption can have various severe results in terms of health risks, impacts on mental abilities, dependency, and addiction, among others. The results of alcohol use lead to poor health, inadequate wellness, and even death. According to Ritchie & Roser (2023), long-term consumption of alcohol can lead to heart-related complications like arrhythmias, and blood pressure, among others. In addition, excessive consumption of alcohol has been heavily associated with liver damage, leading to conditions like liver cirrhosis and fatty liver, among others. When an individual consumes excessive alcohol, their immune will be more likely compromised, making them vulnerable to diseases and infections. As stated by Wolf et al. (2020), alcohol consumption can contribute to mental health problems like anxiety and depression, among others. Lastly, one of the primary dangers of alcohol consumption is dependence and addiction. Both excessive and regular consumption leads to alcoholism, which makes it hard for individuals to quit drinking.
Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) is the approach I think is the best to treat alcoholic patients. This approach involves the integration of counseling, behavioral therapies, and medication to treat alcohol use disorder. In this course, medications such as naltrexone are typically prescribed to prevent relapse, decrease alcohol cravings, and develop a dislike for alcohol. According to Ritchie & Roser (2023), this method is applicable in various settings like specialized addiction treatment centers, outpatient treatment programs, or primary care facilities. Generally, MAT's goal is to aid persons in fulfilling and upholding abstinence by addressing the physiological features of addiction.
Some of the common complications of alcohol include seizures. Seizures from alcohol withdrawals usually occur in the first 48 hours after stopping alcohol intake. Seizures can lead to head injuries, and individuals who have a history of epilepsy are often at greater risk. According to Wolf et al. (2020), autonomic hyperactivity is another complication associated with alcohol withdrawal. This is the autonomic nervous system's amplified activity and presents symptoms like sweating, increased heart rate, sweating, and high blood pressure. Lastly, alcohol withdrawal leads to a tone of psychiatric symptoms like irritability, anxiety, sleep disturbances, and depression.
References
Ritchie, H., & Roser, M. (2023). Alcohol consumption. Our world in data. [source link omitted]
Wolf, C., Curry, A., Nacht, J., & Simpson, S. A. (2020). Management of alcohol withdrawal in the emergency department: current perspectives. Open Access Emergency Medicine, 53-65. https://doi.org/10.2147/OAEM.S235288
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