lOMoARcPSD| 25572827
AN EXAMINATION OF AUD
1
Abstract
In this paper we will examine and focus on major risk factors that cause an individual to
become addicted to alcohol, which is also considered as a brain disease and the direct
environmental influences that lead to develop the alcoholism disorder in society. Moreover,
the prevalence of alcoholism in United States and what are the treatment options available for
support an alcoholic to overcome his/her behavioral drinking problems, also be discussed.
The objective of this study to examine and evaluate the risk factors related to excessive
consumption of alcohol.
lOMoARcPSD| 25572827
AN EXAMINATION OF AUD
2
Alcohol use disorder (AUD) and Causes of Alcoholism
Alcohol use disorder (AUD), also known as alcoholism, is considered as a disease of habitual
and excessive consumption of alcohol that results in long term physical and mental health
issues. As well as alcoholism is a significant problem which can results in accidents and
violence. So, understanding of what cause an individual to be addictive is crucial to stop
prevalence of its negative effects to the society.
Certain psychological risk factors could be caused an individual to develop the alcoholism
include peer pressure, drinking since young age, negative influences and depression.
According to the investigation driven by group of researchers, they have found that excessive
consumption of alcohol can be developed range of interconnected factors, including different
genetics, childhood experiences, social and family environments and mental conditions. For
instance, American Indians and Native Alaskans are more likely to consume more alcohol
compared to other racial groups and it leads them to develop an addiction.
In particular, alcoholism develops suddenly in response to a stressful change, such as a
breakup, retirement, or another loss. Those who suffer from a psychiatric problem, for
example anxiety, depression or bipolar disorder are also considerably at a risk to develop
alcoholism. [ CITATION Smi19 \l 1033 ]
People with stronger family history of alcoholism have a higher vulnerability of developing
alcoholism issues. In United States, the relationship of familial alcoholism with alcohol
dependence symptoms increased significantly with successive generations, which is more
strongly in women than men. Acculturation partially mediated the interaction effect between
familial alcoholism and generational status on alcohol dependence, although not in the
expected direction. [ CITATION Cha17 \l 1033 ].
lOMoARcPSD| 25572827
AN EXAMINATION OF AUD
3
As a result of being an alcoholic, evolves negative consequences on social, physical, mental
and economic conditions. In fact, alcohol is a necessary underlying cause for at least 60
health conditions include Liver disease, Pancreatitis, Immune system dysfunction, Brain
damages, Heart disease and cardiovascular health, Cancers and unintentional and intentional
injuries. Considering all scenarios, we can determine that alcoholism is detrimental to health
and a leading preventable cause of death [ CITATION Kat18 \l 1033 ].
Knowledge and understanding of these risk factors can be used against the increasing
vulnerability of society’s addiction to alcohol and to identify negative consequences caused
by overconsumption.
Prevalence of Alcoholism in the United States
We have already examined and identified the possible causes of an individual to become
addiction to alcohol and next we focus on prevalence of alcohol dependence among different
communities in United States. Alcohol consumption is a famous part of the western culture
and frequently part of festivals and celebrations. However, the National Survey on Drug Use
and Health (NSDUH) in 2015 reports that approximately 26.9% of every person 18 years or
above in the United States have engaged in overconsumption of alcohol in the past month and
7.0% percent were hospitalized for serious health conditions.
As well as the NSDUH survey reports that, 58.0% of full-time college students ages 18 to 22
reported for alcohol consumption in the past month compared with 42.0% percent of rest of
the students in same age. [CITATION Sub15 \l 1033 ]
Nowadays, the underage drinking became a serious public health and social problem in the
United States and alcohol is the most widely used substance of abuse among young
generation. Studies show that young people engage in excessive consumption of alcohol have
more susceptibility to cause severe health problems than adults.
lOMoARcPSD| 25572827
AN EXAMINATION OF AUD
4
According to the 2015 NSDUH, approximately 1.3 million people in ages group of 12 to 20
years are reported in excessive alcohol consumption in the past month., which is 3.6% of
males and 3.0% of females [ CITATION Sub15 \l 1033 ].
Studies shows that consequences of alcohol use during the teenage years lead to range of
negative impacts on physical and mental growth. Significantly it could interfere with normal
adolescent brain development and increase the risk of developing alcoholism behaviors
probably end up becoming an AUD victim.
AUD responsible for an average of 88,000 deaths annually and many severe health problems
in the United States by 2006 [ CITATION Ess14 \l 1033 ]. According to the CDC report from
2018, indicates that there are more than 15 million people struggle with an alcoholism in the
United States, but less than eight percent of those receive treatments [ CITATION CDC18 \l
1033 ]. Since majority of people not focusing on treatments their health conditions develop to
severe stages day by day. AUD can shorten a person’s lifespan by decades and it’s a serious
personal and public health problem. So, alcoholism treatments are crucial to prevent harmful
health conditions and to overcome alcoholism by applying them at right time.
Alcoholism Treatments
Alcoholism treatment is a long process with multi steps and there are no medications in the
market prescribed for instant results. Treatment should be supervised by a team of medical
specialists at a rehab facility. There are only three medications approved by the U.S. Food
and Drug Administration to treat alcohol use disorder and alcohol dependence: Acamprosate,
Disulfiram, and Naltrexone. And none of these medications are prescribed to people who are
still consuming alcohol but only for those who have already stopped drinking and are trying
to maintain abstinence [ CITATION Win16 \l 1033 ].
lOMoARcPSD| 25572827
AN EXAMINATION OF AUD
5
Disulfiram: The first approved treat to alcoholism was disulfiram in 1949 and the drug
functions by increasing the concentration of acetaldehyde, a toxic byproduct that occurs when
alcohol is broken down in the body. For over 40 years, disulfiram was the only medication
physicians recommend for who are struggling with alcoholism.
Naltrexone: In 1994 naltrexone was approved by FDA as an oral medication and as an
extended release injectable in 2006. Naltrexone functions by blocking opioid receptors
involved in the pleasant sensations emerge with desire for alcohol.
Acamprosate: It was approved by 10 years after the approval if naltrexone, in 2004 and
acamprosate functions by producing feelings to ease the negative effects related to quitting
drinking by dampening glutamate activity and reducing some of the brain’s hyperexcitability
associated with alcohol withdrawal.[ CITATION NIA17 \l 1033 ]
Other than those three medication treatments there are two types of different treatments
available for who intends to practice their mind to overcome the alcoholism. When asked
how alcohol problems are treated by these two programs, people commonly think of 12 steps
programs or 28-days inpatient rehab but may have difficulty of recognizing their options, but
fortunately, there are a range of treatment methods currently available, thanks to significant
development in the field over last three decades.
Behavioral Treatments: Behavioral treatments are aimed at changing drinking habits through
counseling. They are led by health professionals and supported by studies showing they can
be beneficial.
Mutual Support Groups: Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and other 12 steps programs provide
peer support for people quitting or cutting back on their drinking. Combined with treatment
led by health professionals, mutual-support groups can offer a valuable added layer of
support.
lOMoARcPSD| 25572827
AN EXAMINATION OF AUD
6
Any potential new treatment for AUD has significant because the disease has proved so
irreversible and current treatments still not 100 percent successful in the vast majority of
cases; statistics show 90 percent of those who get sober relapse at least once. And those
numbers apply only to the 15 percent of people who abuse alcohol who even seek treatment. [
CITATION Mel14 \l 1033 ]
Conclusion
Numerous risk factors for AUD were identified that can lead to severe health problems. The
AUD is highly prevalent in the United States and it can be prevented by educating public to
identify causes of addiction and encouraging those who engage in excessive alcohol
consumption to reduce and seek for appropriate treatment. As significant development in
technology and science, making a public awareness to prevent alcoholism would be more
effective today.
lOMoARcPSD| 25572827
AN EXAMINATION OF AUD
7
References
1. CDC - Fact Sheets-Alcohol Use And Health - Alcohol.” Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 3 Jan. 2018.
2. Chartier, K. G., Thomas, N. S., & Kendler, K. S. (2017). Interrelationship between family
history of alcoholism and generational status in the prediction of alcohol dependence in US
Hispanics. Psychological medicine, 47(1), 137–147. Doi:10.1017/S0033291716002105
3. Esser MB, Hedden SL, Kanny D, Brewer RD, Gfroerer JC, Naimi TS. Prevalence of Alcohol
Dependence Among US Adult Drinkers, 2009–2011. Prev Chronic Dis 2014;11:140329.
Available at: http://dx.doi.org/10.5888/pcd11.140329
4. Melinda Smith, M.A., Lawrence Robinson, and Jeanne Segal, Ph.D. - Alcoholism and Alcohol
Abuse. Help Guide. Jun 2019.
5. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. National Institutes of Health.
Medications Development Program. November 2017. Available at:
https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/research/major-initiatives/medications-development-program
https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/brochures-and-fact-sheets/treatment-alcohol-
problems-finding-and-getting-help#2
6. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). 2015 National
Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH). Table 2.41B—Alcohol Use in Lifetime, Past Year,
and Past Month among Persons Aged 12 or Older, by Demographic Characteristics:
Percentages, 2014 and 2015.
Available at:https://www.samhsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/NSDUH-DetTabs-
2015/NSDUH-DetTabs-2015/NSDUH-DetTabs-2015.htm#tab2-41b.
7. The JAMA Network Journals. (2015, June 3). Alcohol use disorder is widespread, often
untreated in the United States. ScienceDaily. Retrieved September 21, 2019 from. Available
at: www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/06/150603124342.htm
8. Winslow BT, Onysko M, Hebert M. Medications for Alcohol Use Disorder. Am Fam Physician.
2016;93(6):457-465. Available at: https://www.aafp.org/afp/2016/0315/p457.html
