From the benefits to concern: Alcoholism management and treatment
When consumed responsibly alcohol poses very little threat physically, socially, and psychologically. However, when it comes to alcoholic beverages, simply more is not better.
Within excess alcohol alters one’s judgment, can damage the liver, the pancreas, the heart, and the brain. Irresponsible drinking increases the risks for accidents, certain types of cancer; while is distinctly harmful to an unborn child.
Stages of Alcohol Intoxication
- Euphoria – Blood Alcohol Circulation 0.03-0.09 g\dL
The effects seen are increased confidence and social participation. Individuals appear to be more talkative interacting in their immediate environment. There is a loss of inhibitions, therefore, the induction of altered judgments. The opening of sensory and motor impairment; the lack of finer motor skills.
- Excitement – Blood Alcohol Circulation 0.09-0.25 g\dL
Increased emotional instability, with the loss of significant important decision making. The observed effects are the impairment of perception, one’s ability to understand, and a person’s overall memory. Coordination becomes impaired as sensory input slows altering an individual’s ability to balance, controlling the active muscle.
- Confusion – Blood Alcohol Circulation 0.25-0.30 g\dL
Disorientation and dizziness set the stage for one’s mental confusion; creating exaggerated emotional conditions. Disturbances in vision and perception alter forms, movements, and dimensions that go forth creating a staggering gait as an individual walks making their way through their immediate environment.
- Stupor – Blood Alcohol Circulation 0.30-0.40 g\dL
The state advancing towards unconsciousness, approaching the need for sleep; furthering the impaired consciousness. Marked by a notable decrease in response to stimuli. With a loss in muscle motor function and control; inability to stand or walk. Vomiting and incontinence may potentially occur.
- Coma – Blood Alcohol Circulation 0.40-0.45 g\dL
Complete impairment of consciousness. The potential risk of impaired respiration, altering the circulating oxygen levels.
- Death – Blood Alcohol Circulation 0.45-1.00 g\dL
Death from respiratory arrest.
The societal costs of irresponsible alcohol consumption continue to be easily said, enormous. A large percentage of deaths, as well as injuries, occur resulting from motor vehicle accidents that are related to the intake of alcoholic beverages.
The ingestion of alcohol is associated with both, positive and negative potential effects. The additional related positive reinforcements are seen manifesting through the mild euphoria. Increasing self-confidence, lowering one’s inhibitions as they interact within their socializing environment.
Alcohol, like other habit-forming substances, increases the activity of the dopaminergic neurons. These are the excitable neurons of the midbrain that are the primary source of dopamine. A neurotransmitter that is associated with movement, attention, learning, while also including the brain’s pleasure and rewarding systems. Therefore, this association with dopamine is related to the positive effects, reinforcing the consumption of alcohol.
Alcoholism and Withdrawal
The appearance of alcohol withdrawal symptoms can be seen within approximately 6-24 hours; following the sudden halt or the decline of the alcohol intake. Alcohol withdrawal has the potential to be very serious, even fatal. This development is due to the lengthened intake of alcohol, that went forth decreasing the activity of the mesolimbic neurons and their function. Altering the communications of the neurotransmitter dopamine and the surrounding receiving, excitable neurons within the central nervous system.
Alcoholism Management and Treatments
● Benzodiazepines – Presently “The Gold-Standard-Care”
The severity of Alcoholism comes from the altered neurotransmitter communications taking place between the neighbouring networks of the excitable interfacing neurons in the central nervous system; decreasing their receptor sensitivities. As the excitable neurons rebound, re-establishing their responsiveness from the suppressed effects of alcohol this can potentially cause seizures and convulsions.
Convulsions caused by alcohol withdrawal are a medical emergency and are generally treated with Benzodiazepines. Benzos are chemical agents that act upon specific receptor sites within the central nervous system. The more common side effects associated with benzodiazepines are:
- Sedation
- dizziness
- weakness
● Barbiturates
A class of drugs that act as central nervous system depressants. The treatment of alcohol withdrawal symptoms with barbiturates has become narrowed due to their slim therapeutic window and the risk of the uncurbed sedation
● Adjunctive Therapeutic Measures
Secondary medications used in combination with primary methods increasing the effectiveness of the original therapeutic measures. These medications will include:
- Alpha2-agonists, reduce the autonomic nervous system hyperactivities
- Beta-blockers, treatment of the hyperarousal symptoms
- Neuroleptics for the management of hallucinations and delirium.
These medications should be used only as adjunctive treatments, as they are not recommended as monotherapies. These therapeutic measures lack potency in preventing severe alcohol withdrawal symptoms.
● Clinical
The Clinical Routine Examinations
- Blood or Breath Alcohol-Concentrations
- Complete Blood Count
- Renal Function Tests
- Electrolytes and their Levels
- Glucose-Levels
- Circulating Liver-Enzymes
- Urinalysis
- Urine Toxicology-Screening
Alcoholism Supportive Traditional Treatments
● Non-pharmacological Interventions
The initial non-pharmacological therapeutic approach, which potentially may be the sole approach that is necessary. This routine of comfort care should include:
- Regular Reassurance
- Reality Familiarization
- Nursing or The Assisted Attentive Supportive Care
- Quiet Darkened Room Free Of Noises and Bright Lights
The health effects of alcohol are clearly dependent on the amount and the pattern of consumption. A beverage consumed throughout our human history; consumed without the restraint can turn to a disease.
