“Leaving Las Vegas”: Film Studies
FILM 1051 - Introduction to Film and Media Studies
University of Cincinnati
December 3, 2023
Mankind possesses a huge experience of alcohol abuse. For many
centuries, even when people drank only wine, the detrimental
influence of alcohol on the individual psyche, as well as on the
morally ethical condition of the society was noted. In the past and
present artistic and medical literature, and also in today’s movies the
condition of alcoholic intoxication was made equivalent to madness.
Concerning alcoholic addicts, different measures were taken. They
were sometimes pretty cruel: the drinkers were expatriated from
communities, and subjected to various bodily punishments, or even
death. These harsh measures were used by the society in order to
protect itself from dissemination of alcoholism that had a tendency to
disrupt all rational interpersonal relations. Emphatically, such cruel
measures were given up for much more humane methods of battling
alcoholism, as approximately in the middle of the 19th0century it was
for the first time addressed as a medical condition, which implied that
different medical treatment methods were needed in order to fight this
disease. However the implemented measures did not bring to desired
results yet, as the dissemination of alcoholism is not decreasing, but
has a tendency to rise. This can be observed from the number of
alcoholic patients who have appealed to substance abuse professionals
and psychiatrists in order to seek medical assistance. Besides, the
majority of alcoholics do not turn for professional help. This fact is
associated with high permissiveness of society towards this problem,
as well as negative attitude of the population towards alcoholic
therapists. Nevertheless it is quite difficult to distinguish alcoholism as
a disease from ordinary inebriety.
As was mentioned earlier, the problem of alcoholism in general and
alcoholism as a disease is reflected in many modern art forms. One of
the films that vividly portray this issue is entitled “Leaving Las
Vegas”. This film is based on a cognominal novel by John O’Brien,
and is believed to be autobiographical to him, as this writer was a
hardcore alcoholic. The movie “Leaving Las Vegas” is actually
considered to be a memorial to this author, as it appears that two
weeks after the production had commenced, O’Brien had ended his
life, committing a suicide. Nicolas Cage stars in the role of Ben
Sanderson, who is an experienced alcoholic. His antisocial influence
on the people that surround him is not to be doubted. The director
draws a clear picture of a depressed alcoholic, whose ceaseless
drinking problem had caused him to loose everything and everyone,
including his family and his career as a Hollywood screenwriter. This
loss of social connections as material possessions is very common in
chronic alcoholics. His friend Peter is all he has left, and Ben meets
him at the restaurant in order to get some cash, so that he may have
enough to fulfill his plan of going to Las Vegas and drinking himself
to death. The desperate anti-social nature of an alcoholic is clearly
exemplified, when after meeting with his friend Peter he heads to a
bar, and performs a piteous attempt to pick up a girl that he likes, but
off course he fails. After being fired from his prestigious job the main
character proceeds to his house and makes a backyard bonfire, where
he burns all his material belongings, and heads to Las Vegas. This
illustrates his impaired psychological condition and inability to
soberly evaluate the situation due to constant alcoholic intoxication.
Having arrived in Vegas, Ben almost runs over a woman, who is in
just as hopeless state as he is, and will be his accompanying heroine in
the following part of the film. Being in the state of alcoholic
exhilaration the next day he finds that woman, who turns out to be a
prostitute, named Sera. Ben offers her $ 500 in order to come with
him, but instead of having sex with her, he starts talking to her, and
subsequently creates a strange relationship with this woman. They
attempt to build their relations on coming to terms with each other’s
problems. Sera never criticizes Ben’s drinking problem, and Ben
never mentions or makes remarks concerning Sera’s occupation.
However having lived like this for a while, both Sera and Ben become
frustrated with each other’s issues. Sera tries to get her partner to
submit to a healthier lifestyle, but he in his turn makes another false
step towards more alcohol consumption. When Sera is begging Ben to
see a doctor, Ben refuses to deal with this issue, and feeling angry
brings another woman – a prostitute back to Sera’s house. At this
point Ben demonstrates signs of severe substance intoxication, with
symptoms of possible brain damage, as his speech patterns are
incoherent. When Sera walks in her rented home and finds Ben with a
prostitute, she throws him out, and soon after that she gets raped and
beaten by a few of her clients. This makes her occupation obvious to
the home owners and the woman gets evicted. Following this, she
receives a call from Ben who is dying, and begs her to come see him.
When she comes to visit him, they have sex for the first time, and in
the morning Ben dies, holding sleeping Sera in his arms.
This film with a tragic ending demonstrates a clear example of chronic
alcoholism. During the film Ben was shown consuming alcohol
numerous times. After the intake he was experiencing a condition
called acute alcoholic intoxication. The individual manifestations of
this condition depended on many factors, such as the amount of
consumed alcohol, activity of enzymatic systems that break down the
substance, personality type, psychological, and physical condition. It
was visible, that alcohol consumption impaired Ben’s adequate
perception of reality, limited the volume of perceived information, and
reduced the rate of information processing. This was clear, when he
after being fired made an irrational decision of killing himself and
started burning all his possessions. At this point alcohol had
deteriorated Ben’s personal qualities of making wise decisions and
rationally planning out his actions. The main character of this film has
demonstrated various sides of his personality in relation to alcoholic
consumption. According to a psychological study of alcoholics it was
discovered that certain personalities are more inclined towards
alcoholism than others (Penick et al., 1999, p. 188). He continually
manifests his pedantic and vexatious qualities, as being under the
influence he becomes more communicative and relaxed, and attempts
seeking communication, firstly in the bar when he tries to pick up an
attractive girl, and secondly when he just met Sera and instead of
having sex, starts talking to her. It is clear that due to this anxiousness,
it important for Ben to consume alcohol in order to feel more relaxed
and have an easier time satisfying his communication need. The
viewer can precisely observe that depressive reactions (desire to kill
himself) are also very inherent to Ben’s personality, as being under the
influence often causes unhappy mood, gloomy thoughts, and sense of
despair. When the hero refused to stop drinking or see a doctor, his
hankering towards alcohol was becoming stronger. The metabolic
processes were becoming modified, and his organism tuned towards
constant intoxication was demanding its everyday dose. Ben was
suffering severe physical dependence, as his appetite for alcohol was
irresistible, and after another overdose he had a desire to satisfy his
hangover with another drink in order to quell unpleasant sensations.
The alcoholism portrayed in this film was probably nearing its final
third stage, as at the end when Sera demands Ben to see a doctor, he
does not have any control over his consumption, and shows visible
signs of abstinent syndrome. According to his speech, his brain had
suffered a severe intellectually mnestic disorder, as he cannot sustain a
conversation due to possible encephalopathy. It was demonstrated by
many authors that when over a period of time an individual consumes
large amounts of alcohol his blood alcohol concentrations (BACs). It
was also revealed that the alcohol exposure patterns affect peak BACs
and induce brain damage (Hannigan, Spear, Spear, & Goodlett, 1999,
p. 23). Another study focused on researching an alcohol induced
disease called hepatic encephalopathy, which is a brain disorder
caused by chronic failure of the liver. It is very common in alcoholics
who have cirrhosis and some of its results are impairments of
psychiatric, cognitive, and motor functions. The reduction of liver
cells due to cirrhosis causes the diversion of blood around the liver,
which leads to such toxins as ammonia and manganese to enter the
neural tissue and cause the damage of astrocytes (Butterworth, 2003).
At the end of the film Ben appears to demonstrate the above
symptoms of hepatic encephalopathy. At this stage the internal organs
are suffering irreversible alterations, such as cardiomyopathy in the
heart, and polyneuropathy in the nervous system which becomes
apparent through aches and abnormal walking pace. All of the above
consequences of this disease bring Ben Sanderson to a tragic end that
is very common among today’s chronic alcoholics.
As was mentioned earlier, the problem of alcoholism in general and
alcoholism as a disease is reflected in many modern art forms. One of
the films that vividly portray this issue is entitled “Leaving Las
Vegas”. This film is based on a cognominal novel by John O’Brien,
and is believed to be autobiographical to him, as this writer was a
hardcore alcoholic. The movie “Leaving Las Vegas” is actually
considered to be a memorial to this author, as it appears that two
weeks after the production had commenced, O’Brien had ended his
life, committing a suicide. Nicolas Cage stars in the role of Ben
Sanderson, who is an experienced alcoholic. His antisocial influence
on the people that surround him is not to be doubted. The director
draws a clear picture of a depressed alcoholic, whose ceaseless
drinking problem had caused him to loose everything and everyone,
including his family and his career as a Hollywood screenwriter. This
loss of social connections as material possessions is very common in
chronic alcoholics. His friend Peter is all he has left, and Ben meets
him at the restaurant in order to get some cash, so that he may have
enough to fulfill his plan of going to Las Vegas and drinking himself
to death. The desperate anti-social nature of an alcoholic is clearly
exemplified, when after meeting with his friend Peter he heads to a
bar, and performs a piteous attempt to pick up a girl that he likes, but
off course he fails. After being fired from his prestigious job the main
character proceeds to his house and makes a backyard bonfire, where
he burns all his material belongings, and heads to Las Vegas. This
illustrates his impaired psychological condition and inability to
soberly evaluate the situation due to constant alcoholic intoxication.
Having arrived in Vegas, Ben almost runs over a woman, who is in
just as hopeless state as he is, and will be his accompanying heroine in
the following part of the film. Being in the state of alcoholic
exhilaration the next day he finds that woman, who turns out to be a
prostitute, named Sera. Ben offers her $ 500 in order to come with
him, but instead of having sex with her, he starts talking to her, and
subsequently creates a strange relationship with this woman. They
attempt to build their relations on coming to terms with each other’s
problems. Sera never criticizes Ben’s drinking problem, and Ben
never mentions or makes remarks concerning Sera’s occupation.
However having lived like this for a while, both Sera and Ben become
frustrated with each other’s issues. Sera tries to get her partner to
submit to a healthier lifestyle, but he in his turn makes another false
step towards more alcohol consumption. When Sera is begging Ben to
see a doctor, Ben refuses to deal with this issue, and feeling angry
brings another woman – a prostitute back to Sera’s house. At this
point Ben demonstrates signs of severe substance intoxication, with
symptoms of possible brain damage, as his speech patterns are
incoherent. When Sera walks in her rented home and finds Ben with a
prostitute, she throws him out, and soon after that she gets raped and
beaten by a few of her clients. This makes her occupation obvious to
the home owners and the woman gets evicted. Following this, she
receives a call from Ben who is dying, and begs her to come see him.
When she comes to visit him, they have sex for the first time, and in
the morning Ben dies, holding sleeping Sera in his arms.
This film with a tragic ending demonstrates a clear example of chronic
alcoholism. During the film Ben was shown consuming alcohol
numerous times. After the intake he was experiencing a condition
called acute alcoholic intoxication. The individual manifestations of
this condition depended on many factors, such as the amount of
consumed alcohol, activity of enzymatic systems that break down the
substance, personality type, psychological, and physical condition. It
was visible, that alcohol consumption impaired Ben’s adequate
perception of reality, limited the volume of perceived information, and
reduced the rate of information processing. This was clear, when he
after being fired made an irrational decision of killing himself and
started burning all his possessions. At this point alcohol had
deteriorated Ben’s personal qualities of making wise decisions and
rationally planning out his actions. The main character of this film has
demonstrated various sides of his personality in relation to alcoholic
consumption. According to a psychological study of alcoholics it was
discovered that certain personalities are more inclined towards
alcoholism than others (Penick et al., 1999, p. 188). He continually
manifests his pedantic and vexatious qualities, as being under the
influence he becomes more communicative and relaxed, and attempts
seeking communication, firstly in the bar when he tries to pick up an
attractive girl, and secondly when he just met Sera and instead of
having sex, starts talking to her. It is clear that due to this anxiousness,
it important for Ben to consume alcohol in order to feel more relaxed
and have an easier time satisfying his communication need. The
viewer can precisely observe that depressive reactions (desire to kill
himself) are also very inherent to Ben’s personality, as being under the
influence often causes unhappy mood, gloomy thoughts, and sense of
despair. When the hero refused to stop drinking or see a doctor, his
hankering towards alcohol was becoming stronger. The metabolic
processes were becoming modified, and his organism tuned towards
constant intoxication was demanding its everyday dose. Ben was
suffering severe physical dependence, as his appetite for alcohol was
irresistible, and after another overdose he had a desire to satisfy his
hangover with another drink in order to quell unpleasant sensations.
The alcoholism portrayed in this film was probably nearing its final
third stage, as at the end when Sera demands Ben to see a doctor, he
does not have any control over his consumption, and shows visible
signs of abstinent syndrome. According to his speech, his brain had
suffered a severe intellectually mnestic disorder, as he cannot sustain a
conversation due to possible encephalopathy. It was demonstrated by
many authors that when over a period of time an individual consumes
large amounts of alcohol his blood alcohol concentrations (BACs). It
was also revealed that the alcohol exposure patterns affect peak BACs
and induce brain damage (Hannigan, Spear, Spear, & Goodlett, 1999,
p. 23). Another study focused on researching an alcohol induced
disease called hepatic encephalopathy, which is a brain disorder
caused by chronic failure of the liver. It is very common in alcoholics
who have cirrhosis and some of its results are impairments of
psychiatric, cognitive, and motor functions. The reduction of liver
cells due to cirrhosis causes the diversion of blood around the liver,
which leads to such toxins as ammonia and manganese to enter the
neural tissue and cause the damage of astrocytes (Butterworth, 2003).
At the end of the film Ben appears to demonstrate the above
symptoms of hepatic encephalopathy. At this stage the internal organs
are suffering irreversible alterations, such as cardiomyopathy in the
heart, and polyneuropathy in the nervous system which becomes
apparent through aches and abnormal walking pace. All of the above
consequences of this disease bring Ben Sanderson to a tragic end that
is very common among today’s chronic alcoholics.
As was mentioned earlier, the problem of alcoholism in general and
alcoholism as a disease is reflected in many modern art forms. One of
the films that vividly portray this issue is entitled “Leaving Las
Vegas”. This film is based on a cognominal novel by John O’Brien,
and is believed to be autobiographical to him, as this writer was a
hardcore alcoholic. The movie “Leaving Las Vegas” is actually
considered to be a memorial to this author, as it appears that two
weeks after the production had commenced, O’Brien had ended his
life, committing a suicide. Nicolas Cage stars in the role of Ben
Sanderson, who is an experienced alcoholic. His antisocial influence
on the people that surround him is not to be doubted. The director
draws a clear picture of a depressed alcoholic, whose ceaseless
drinking problem had caused him to loose everything and everyone,
including his family and his career as a Hollywood screenwriter. This
loss of social connections as material possessions is very common in
chronic alcoholics. His friend Peter is all he has left, and Ben meets
him at the restaurant in order to get some cash, so that he may have
enough to fulfill his plan of going to Las Vegas and drinking himself
to death. The desperate anti-social nature of an alcoholic is clearly
exemplified, when after meeting with his friend Peter he heads to a
bar, and performs a piteous attempt to pick up a girl that he likes, but
off course he fails. After being fired from his prestigious job the main
character proceeds to his house and makes a backyard bonfire, where
he burns all his material belongings, and heads to Las Vegas. This
illustrates his impaired psychological condition and inability to
soberly evaluate the situation due to constant alcoholic intoxication.
Having arrived in Vegas, Ben almost runs over a woman, who is in
just as hopeless state as he is, and will be his accompanying heroine in
the following part of the film. Being in the state of alcoholic
exhilaration the next day he finds that woman, who turns out to be a
prostitute, named Sera. Ben offers her $ 500 in order to come with
him, but instead of having sex with her, he starts talking to her, and
subsequently creates a strange relationship with this woman. They
attempt to build their relations on coming to terms with each other’s
problems. Sera never criticizes Ben’s drinking problem, and Ben
never mentions or makes remarks concerning Sera’s occupation.
However having lived like this for a while, both Sera and Ben become
frustrated with each other’s issues. Sera tries to get her partner to
submit to a healthier lifestyle, but he in his turn makes another false
step towards more alcohol consumption. When Sera is begging Ben to
see a doctor, Ben refuses to deal with this issue, and feeling angry
brings another woman – a prostitute back to Sera’s house. At this
point Ben demonstrates signs of severe substance intoxication, with
symptoms of possible brain damage, as his speech patterns are
incoherent. When Sera walks in her rented home and finds Ben with a
prostitute, she throws him out, and soon after that she gets raped and
beaten by a few of her clients. This makes her occupation obvious to
the home owners and the woman gets evicted. Following this, she
receives a call from Ben who is dying, and begs her to come see him.
When she comes to visit him, they have sex for the first time, and in
the morning Ben dies, holding sleeping Sera in his arms.
This film with a tragic ending demonstrates a clear example of chronic
alcoholism. During the film Ben was shown consuming alcohol
numerous times. After the intake he was experiencing a condition
called acute alcoholic intoxication. The individual manifestations of
this condition depended on many factors, such as the amount of
consumed alcohol, activity of enzymatic systems that break down the
substance, personality type, psychological, and physical condition. It
was visible, that alcohol consumption impaired Ben’s adequate
perception of reality, limited the volume of perceived information, and
reduced the rate of information processing. This was clear, when he
after being fired made an irrational decision of killing himself and
started burning all his possessions. At this point alcohol had
deteriorated Ben’s personal qualities of making wise decisions and
rationally planning out his actions. The main character of this film has
demonstrated various sides of his personality in relation to alcoholic
consumption. According to a psychological study of alcoholics it was
discovered that certain personalities are more inclined towards
alcoholism than others (Penick et al., 1999, p. 188). He continually
manifests his pedantic and vexatious qualities, as being under the
influence he becomes more communicative and relaxed, and attempts
seeking communication, firstly in the bar when he tries to pick up an
attractive girl, and secondly when he just met Sera and instead of
having sex, starts talking to her. It is clear that due to this anxiousness,
it important for Ben to consume alcohol in order to feel more relaxed
and have an easier time satisfying his communication need. The
viewer can precisely observe that depressive reactions (desire to kill
himself) are also very inherent to Ben’s personality, as being under the
influence often causes unhappy mood, gloomy thoughts, and sense of
despair. When the hero refused to stop drinking or see a doctor, his
hankering towards alcohol was becoming stronger. The metabolic
processes were becoming modified, and his organism tuned towards
constant intoxication was demanding its everyday dose. Ben was
suffering severe physical dependence, as his appetite for alcohol was
irresistible, and after another overdose he had a desire to satisfy his
hangover with another drink in order to quell unpleasant sensations.
The alcoholism portrayed in this film was probably nearing its final
third stage, as at the end when Sera demands Ben to see a doctor, he
does not have any control over his consumption, and shows visible
signs of abstinent syndrome. According to his speech, his brain had
suffered a severe intellectually mnestic disorder, as he cannot sustain a
conversation due to possible encephalopathy. It was demonstrated by
many authors that when over a period of time an individual consumes
large amounts of alcohol his blood alcohol concentrations (BACs). It
was also revealed that the alcohol exposure patterns affect peak BACs
and induce brain damage (Hannigan, Spear, Spear, & Goodlett, 1999,
p. 23). Another study focused on researching an alcohol induced
disease called hepatic encephalopathy, which is a brain disorder
caused by chronic failure of the liver. It is very common in alcoholics
who have cirrhosis and some of its results are impairments of
psychiatric, cognitive, and motor functions. The reduction of liver
cells due to cirrhosis causes the diversion of blood around the liver,
which leads to such toxins as ammonia and manganese to enter the
neural tissue and cause the damage of astrocytes (Butterworth, 2003).
At the end of the film Ben appears to demonstrate the above
symptoms of hepatic encephalopathy. At this stage the internal organs
are suffering irreversible alterations, such as cardiomyopathy in the
heart, and polyneuropathy in the nervous system which becomes
apparent through aches and abnormal walking pace. All of the above
consequences of this disease bring Ben Sanderson to a tragic end that
is very common among today’s chronic alcoholics.
As was mentioned earlier, the problem of alcoholism in general and
alcoholism as a disease is reflected in many modern art forms. One of
the films that vividly portray this issue is entitled “Leaving Las
Vegas”. This film is based on a cognominal novel by John O’Brien,
and is believed to be autobiographical to him, as this writer was a
hardcore alcoholic. The movie “Leaving Las Vegas” is actually
considered to be a memorial to this author, as it appears that two
weeks after the production had commenced, O’Brien had ended his
life, committing a suicide. Nicolas Cage stars in the role of Ben
Sanderson, who is an experienced alcoholic. His antisocial influence
on the people that surround him is not to be doubted. The director
draws a clear picture of a depressed alcoholic, whose ceaseless
drinking problem had caused him to loose everything and everyone,
including his family and his career as a Hollywood screenwriter. This
loss of social connections as material possessions is very common in
chronic alcoholics. His friend Peter is all he has left, and Ben meets
him at the restaurant in order to get some cash, so that he may have
enough to fulfill his plan of going to Las Vegas and drinking himself
to death. The desperate anti-social nature of an alcoholic is clearly
exemplified, when after meeting with his friend Peter he heads to a
bar, and performs a piteous attempt to pick up a girl that he likes, but
off course he fails. After being fired from his prestigious job the main
character proceeds to his house and makes a backyard bonfire, where
he burns all his material belongings, and heads to Las Vegas. This
illustrates his impaired psychological condition and inability to
soberly evaluate the situation due to constant alcoholic intoxication.
Having arrived in Vegas, Ben almost runs over a woman, who is in
just as hopeless state as he is, and will be his accompanying heroine in
the following part of the film. Being in the state of alcoholic
exhilaration the next day he finds that woman, who turns out to be a
prostitute, named Sera. Ben offers her $ 500 in order to come with
him, but instead of having sex with her, he starts talking to her, and
subsequently creates a strange relationship with this woman. They
attempt to build their relations on coming to terms with each other’s
problems. Sera never criticizes Ben’s drinking problem, and Ben
never mentions or makes remarks concerning Sera’s occupation.
However having lived like this for a while, both Sera and Ben become
frustrated with each other’s issues. Sera tries to get her partner to
submit to a healthier lifestyle, but he in his turn makes another false
step towards more alcohol consumption. When Sera is begging Ben to
see a doctor, Ben refuses to deal with this issue, and feeling angry
brings another woman – a prostitute back to Sera’s house. At this
point Ben demonstrates signs of severe substance intoxication, with
symptoms of possible brain damage, as his speech patterns are
incoherent. When Sera walks in her rented home and finds Ben with a
prostitute, she throws him out, and soon after that she gets raped and
beaten by a few of her clients. This makes her occupation obvious to
the home owners and the woman gets evicted. Following this, she
receives a call from Ben who is dying, and begs her to come see him.
When she comes to visit him, they have sex for the first time, and in
the morning Ben dies, holding sleeping Sera in his arms.
This film with a tragic ending demonstrates a clear example of chronic
alcoholism. During the film Ben was shown consuming alcohol
numerous times. After the intake he was experiencing a condition
called acute alcoholic intoxication. The individual manifestations of
this condition depended on many factors, such as the amount of
consumed alcohol, activity of enzymatic systems that break down the
substance, personality type, psychological, and physical condition. It
was visible, that alcohol consumption impaired Ben’s adequate
perception of reality, limited the volume of perceived information, and
reduced the rate of information processing. This was clear, when he
after being fired made an irrational decision of killing himself and
started burning all his possessions. At this point alcohol had
deteriorated Ben’s personal qualities of making wise decisions and
rationally planning out his actions. The main character of this film has
demonstrated various sides of his personality in relation to alcoholic
consumption. According to a psychological study of alcoholics it was
discovered that certain personalities are more inclined towards
alcoholism than others (Penick et al., 1999, p. 188). He continually
manifests his pedantic and vexatious qualities, as being under the
influence he becomes more communicative and relaxed, and attempts
seeking communication, firstly in the bar when he tries to pick up an
attractive girl, and secondly when he just met Sera and instead of
having sex, starts talking to her. It is clear that due to this anxiousness,
it important for Ben to consume alcohol in order to feel more relaxed
and have an easier time satisfying his communication need. The
viewer can precisely observe that depressive reactions (desire to kill
himself) are also very inherent to Ben’s personality, as being under the
influence often causes unhappy mood, gloomy thoughts, and sense of
despair. When the hero refused to stop drinking or see a doctor, his
hankering towards alcohol was becoming stronger. The metabolic
processes were becoming modified, and his organism tuned towards
constant intoxication was demanding its everyday dose. Ben was
suffering severe physical dependence, as his appetite for alcohol was
irresistible, and after another overdose he had a desire to satisfy his
hangover with another drink in order to quell unpleasant sensations.
The alcoholism portrayed in this film was probably nearing its final
third stage, as at the end when Sera demands Ben to see a doctor, he
does not have any control over his consumption, and shows visible
signs of abstinent syndrome. According to his speech, his brain had
suffered a severe intellectually mnestic disorder, as he cannot sustain a
conversation due to possible encephalopathy. It was demonstrated by
many authors that when over a period of time an individual consumes
large amounts of alcohol his blood alcohol concentrations (BACs). It
was also revealed that the alcohol exposure patterns affect peak BACs
and induce brain damage (Hannigan, Spear, Spear, & Goodlett, 1999,
p. 23). Another study focused on researching an alcohol induced
disease called hepatic encephalopathy, which is a brain disorder
caused by chronic failure of the liver. It is very common in alcoholics
who have cirrhosis and some of its results are impairments of
psychiatric, cognitive, and motor functions. The reduction of liver
cells due to cirrhosis causes the diversion of blood around the liver,
which leads to such toxins as ammonia and manganese to enter the
neural tissue and cause the damage of astrocytes (Butterworth, 2003).
At the end of the film Ben appears to demonstrate the above
symptoms of hepatic encephalopathy. At this stage the internal organs
are suffering irreversible alterations, such as cardiomyopathy in the
heart, and polyneuropathy in the nervous system which becomes
apparent through aches and abnormal walking pace. All of the above
consequences of this disease bring Ben Sanderson to a tragic end that
is very common among today’s chronic alcoholics.
As was mentioned earlier, the problem of alcoholism in general and
alcoholism as a disease is reflected in many modern art forms. One of
the films that vividly portray this issue is entitled “Leaving Las
Vegas”. This film is based on a cognominal novel by John O’Brien,
and is believed to be autobiographical to him, as this writer was a
hardcore alcoholic. The movie “Leaving Las Vegas” is actually
considered to be a memorial to this author, as it appears that two
weeks after the production had commenced, O’Brien had ended his
life, committing a suicide. Nicolas Cage stars in the role of Ben
Sanderson, who is an experienced alcoholic. His antisocial influence
on the people that surround him is not to be doubted. The director
draws a clear picture of a depressed alcoholic, whose ceaseless
drinking problem had caused him to loose everything and everyone,
including his family and his career as a Hollywood screenwriter. This
loss of social connections as material possessions is very common in
chronic alcoholics. His friend Peter is all he has left, and Ben meets
him at the restaurant in order to get some cash, so that he may have
enough to fulfill his plan of going to Las Vegas and drinking himself
to death. The desperate anti-social nature of an alcoholic is clearly
exemplified, when after meeting with his friend Peter he heads to a
bar, and performs a piteous attempt to pick up a girl that he likes, but
off course he fails. After being fired from his prestigious job the main
character proceeds to his house and makes a backyard bonfire, where
he burns all his material belongings, and heads to Las Vegas. This
illustrates his impaired psychological condition and inability to
soberly evaluate the situation due to constant alcoholic intoxication.
Having arrived in Vegas, Ben almost runs over a woman, who is in
just as hopeless state as he is, and will be his accompanying heroine in
the following part of the film. Being in the state of alcoholic
exhilaration the next day he finds that woman, who turns out to be a
prostitute, named Sera. Ben offers her $ 500 in order to come with
him, but instead of having sex with her, he starts talking to her, and
subsequently creates a strange relationship with this woman. They
attempt to build their relations on coming to terms with each other’s
problems. Sera never criticizes Ben’s drinking problem, and Ben
never mentions or makes remarks concerning Sera’s occupation.
However having lived like this for a while, both Sera and Ben become
frustrated with each other’s issues. Sera tries to get her partner to
submit to a healthier lifestyle, but he in his turn makes another false
step towards more alcohol consumption. When Sera is begging Ben to
see a doctor, Ben refuses to deal with this issue, and feeling angry
brings another woman – a prostitute back to Sera’s house. At this
point Ben demonstrates signs of severe substance intoxication, with
symptoms of possible brain damage, as his speech patterns are
incoherent. When Sera walks in her rented home and finds Ben with a
prostitute, she throws him out, and soon after that she gets raped and
beaten by a few of her clients. This makes her occupation obvious to
the home owners and the woman gets evicted. Following this, she
receives a call from Ben who is dying, and begs her to come see him.
When she comes to visit him, they have sex for the first time, and in
the morning Ben dies, holding sleeping Sera in his arms.
This film with a tragic ending demonstrates a clear example of chronic
alcoholism. During the film Ben was shown consuming alcohol
numerous times. After the intake he was experiencing a condition
called acute alcoholic intoxication. The individual manifestations of
this condition depended on many factors, such as the amount of
consumed alcohol, activity of enzymatic systems that break down the
substance, personality type, psychological, and physical condition. It
was visible, that alcohol consumption impaired Ben’s adequate
perception of reality, limited the volume of perceived information, and
reduced the rate of information processing. This was clear, when he
after being fired made an irrational decision of killing himself and
started burning all his possessions. At this point alcohol had
deteriorated Ben’s personal qualities of making wise decisions and
rationally planning out his actions. The main character of this film has
demonstrated various sides of his personality in relation to alcoholic
consumption. According to a psychological study of alcoholics it was
discovered that certain personalities are more inclined towards
alcoholism than others (Penick et al., 1999, p. 188). He continually
manifests his pedantic and vexatious qualities, as being under the
influence he becomes more communicative and relaxed, and attempts
seeking communication, firstly in the bar when he tries to pick up an
attractive girl, and secondly when he just met Sera and instead of
having sex, starts talking to her. It is clear that due to this anxiousness,
it important for Ben to consume alcohol in order to feel more relaxed
and have an easier time satisfying his communication need. The
viewer can precisely observe that depressive reactions (desire to kill
himself) are also very inherent to Ben’s personality, as being under the
influence often causes unhappy mood, gloomy thoughts, and sense of
despair. When the hero refused to stop drinking or see a doctor, his
hankering towards alcohol was becoming stronger. The metabolic
processes were becoming modified, and his organism tuned towards
constant intoxication was demanding its everyday dose. Ben was
suffering severe physical dependence, as his appetite for alcohol was
irresistible, and after another overdose he had a desire to satisfy his
hangover with another drink in order to quell unpleasant sensations.
The alcoholism portrayed in this film was probably nearing its final
third stage, as at the end when Sera demands Ben to see a doctor, he
does not have any control over his consumption, and shows visible
signs of abstinent syndrome. According to his speech, his brain had
suffered a severe intellectually mnestic disorder, as he cannot sustain a
conversation due to possible encephalopathy. It was demonstrated by
many authors that when over a period of time an individual consumes
large amounts of alcohol his blood alcohol concentrations (BACs). It
was also revealed that the alcohol exposure patterns affect peak BACs
and induce brain damage (Hannigan, Spear, Spear, & Goodlett, 1999,
p. 23). Another study focused on researching an alcohol induced
disease called hepatic encephalopathy, which is a brain disorder
caused by chronic failure of the liver. It is very common in alcoholics
who have cirrhosis and some of its results are impairments of
psychiatric, cognitive, and motor functions. The reduction of liver
cells due to cirrhosis causes the diversion of blood around the liver,
which leads to such toxins as ammonia and manganese to enter the
neural tissue and cause the damage of astrocytes (Butterworth, 2003).
At the end of the film Ben appears to demonstrate the above
symptoms of hepatic encephalopathy. At this stage the internal organs
are suffering irreversible alterations, such as cardiomyopathy in the
heart, and polyneuropathy in the nervous system which becomes
apparent through aches and abnormal walking pace. All of the above
consequences of this disease bring Ben Sanderson to a tragic end that
is very common among today’s chronic alcoholics.
As was mentioned earlier, the problem of alcoholism in general and
alcoholism as a disease is reflected in many modern art forms. One of
the films that vividly portray this issue is entitled “Leaving Las
Vegas”. This film is based on a cognominal novel by John O’Brien,
and is believed to be autobiographical to him, as this writer was a
hardcore alcoholic. The movie “Leaving Las Vegas” is actually
considered to be a memorial to this author, as it appears that two
weeks after the production had commenced, O’Brien had ended his
life, committing a suicide. Nicolas Cage stars in the role of Ben
Sanderson, who is an experienced alcoholic. His antisocial influence
on the people that surround him is not to be doubted. The director
draws a clear picture of a depressed alcoholic, whose ceaseless
drinking problem had caused him to loose everything and everyone,
including his family and his career as a Hollywood screenwriter. This
loss of social connections as material possessions is very common in
chronic alcoholics. His friend Peter is all he has left, and Ben meets
him at the restaurant in order to get some cash, so that he may have
enough to fulfill his plan of going to Las Vegas and drinking himself
to death. The desperate anti-social nature of an alcoholic is clearly
exemplified, when after meeting with his friend Peter he heads to a
bar, and performs a piteous attempt to pick up a girl that he likes, but
off course he fails. After being fired from his prestigious job the main
character proceeds to his house and makes a backyard bonfire, where
he burns all his material belongings, and heads to Las Vegas. This
illustrates his impaired psychological condition and inability to
soberly evaluate the situation due to constant alcoholic intoxication.
Having arrived in Vegas, Ben almost runs over a woman, who is in
just as hopeless state as he is, and will be his accompanying heroine in
the following part of the film. Being in the state of alcoholic
exhilaration the next day he finds that woman, who turns out to be a
prostitute, named Sera. Ben offers her $ 500 in order to come with
him, but instead of having sex with her, he starts talking to her, and
subsequently creates a strange relationship with this woman. They
attempt to build their relations on coming to terms with each other’s
problems. Sera never criticizes Ben’s drinking problem, and Ben
never mentions or makes remarks concerning Sera’s occupation.
However having lived like this for a while, both Sera and Ben become
frustrated with each other’s issues. Sera tries to get her partner to
submit to a healthier lifestyle, but he in his turn makes another false
step towards more alcohol consumption. When Sera is begging Ben to
see a doctor, Ben refuses to deal with this issue, and feeling angry
brings another woman – a prostitute back to Sera’s house. At this
point Ben demonstrates signs of severe substance intoxication, with
symptoms of possible brain damage, as his speech patterns are
incoherent. When Sera walks in her rented home and finds Ben with a
prostitute, she throws him out, and soon after that she gets raped and
beaten by a few of her clients. This makes her occupation obvious to
the home owners and the woman gets evicted. Following this, she
receives a call from Ben who is dying, and begs her to come see him.
When she comes to visit him, they have sex for the first time, and in
the morning Ben dies, holding sleeping Sera in his arms.
This film with a tragic ending demonstrates a clear example of chronic
alcoholism. During the film Ben was shown consuming alcohol
numerous times. After the intake he was experiencing a condition
called acute alcoholic intoxication. The individual manifestations of
this condition depended on many factors, such as the amount of
consumed alcohol, activity of enzymatic systems that break down the
substance, personality type, psychological, and physical condition. It
was visible, that alcohol consumption impaired Ben’s adequate
perception of reality, limited the volume of perceived information, and
reduced the rate of information processing. This was clear, when he
after being fired made an irrational decision of killing himself and
started burning all his possessions. At this point alcohol had
deteriorated Ben’s personal qualities of making wise decisions and
rationally planning out his actions. The main character of this film has
demonstrated various sides of his personality in relation to alcoholic
consumption. According to a psychological study of alcoholics it was
discovered that certain personalities are more inclined towards
alcoholism than others (Penick et al., 1999, p. 188). He continually
manifests his pedantic and vexatious qualities, as being under the
influence he becomes more communicative and relaxed, and attempts
seeking communication, firstly in the bar when he tries to pick up an
attractive girl, and secondly when he just met Sera and instead of
having sex, starts talking to her. It is clear that due to this anxiousness,
it important for Ben to consume alcohol in order to feel more relaxed
and have an easier time satisfying his communication need. The
viewer can precisely observe that depressive reactions (desire to kill
himself) are also very inherent to Ben’s personality, as being under the
influence often causes unhappy mood, gloomy thoughts, and sense of
despair. When the hero refused to stop drinking or see a doctor, his
hankering towards alcohol was becoming stronger. The metabolic
processes were becoming modified, and his organism tuned towards
constant intoxication was demanding its everyday dose. Ben was
suffering severe physical dependence, as his appetite for alcohol was
irresistible, and after another overdose he had a desire to satisfy his
hangover with another drink in order to quell unpleasant sensations.
The alcoholism portrayed in this film was probably nearing its final
third stage, as at the end when Sera demands Ben to see a doctor, he
does not have any control over his consumption, and shows visible
signs of abstinent syndrome. According to his speech, his brain had
suffered a severe intellectually mnestic disorder, as he cannot sustain a
conversation due to possible encephalopathy. It was demonstrated by
many authors that when over a period of time an individual consumes
large amounts of alcohol his blood alcohol concentrations (BACs). It
was also revealed that the alcohol exposure patterns affect peak BACs
and induce brain damage (Hannigan, Spear, Spear, & Goodlett, 1999,
p. 23). Another study focused on researching an alcohol induced
disease called hepatic encephalopathy, which is a brain disorder
caused by chronic failure of the liver. It is very common in alcoholics
who have cirrhosis and some of its results are impairments of
psychiatric, cognitive, and motor functions. The reduction of liver
cells due to cirrhosis causes the diversion of blood around the liver,
which leads to such toxins as ammonia and manganese to enter the
neural tissue and cause the damage of astrocytes (Butterworth, 2003).
At the end of the film Ben appears to demonstrate the above
symptoms of hepatic encephalopathy. At this stage the internal organs
are suffering irreversible alterations, such as cardiomyopathy in the
heart, and polyneuropathy in the nervous system which becomes
apparent through aches and abnormal walking pace. All of the above
consequences of this disease bring Ben Sanderson to a tragic end that
is very common among today’s chronic alcoholics.
As was mentioned earlier, the problem of alcoholism in general and
alcoholism as a disease is reflected in many modern art forms. One of
the films that vividly portray this issue is entitled “Leaving Las
Vegas”. This film is based on a cognominal novel by John O’Brien,
and is believed to be autobiographical to him, as this writer was a
hardcore alcoholic. The movie “Leaving Las Vegas” is actually
considered to be a memorial to this author, as it appears that two
weeks after the production had commenced, O’Brien had ended his
life, committing a suicide. Nicolas Cage stars in the role of Ben
Sanderson, who is an experienced alcoholic. His antisocial influence
on the people that surround him is not to be doubted. The director
draws a clear picture of a depressed alcoholic, whose ceaseless
drinking problem had caused him to loose everything and everyone,
including his family and his career as a Hollywood screenwriter. This
loss of social connections as material possessions is very common in
chronic alcoholics. His friend Peter is all he has left, and Ben meets
him at the restaurant in order to get some cash, so that he may have
enough to fulfill his plan of going to Las Vegas and drinking himself
to death. The desperate anti-social nature of an alcoholic is clearly
exemplified, when after meeting with his friend Peter he heads to a
bar, and performs a piteous attempt to pick up a girl that he likes, but
off course he fails. After being fired from his prestigious job the main
character proceeds to his house and makes a backyard bonfire, where
he burns all his material belongings, and heads to Las Vegas. This
illustrates his impaired psychological condition and inability to
soberly evaluate the situation due to constant alcoholic intoxication.
Having arrived in Vegas, Ben almost runs over a woman, who is in
just as hopeless state as he is, and will be his accompanying heroine in
the following part of the film. Being in the state of alcoholic
exhilaration the next day he finds that woman, who turns out to be a
prostitute, named Sera. Ben offers her $ 500 in order to come with
him, but instead of having sex with her, he starts talking to her, and
subsequently creates a strange relationship with this woman. They
attempt to build their relations on coming to terms with each other’s
problems. Sera never criticizes Ben’s drinking problem, and Ben
never mentions or makes remarks concerning Sera’s occupation.
However having lived like this for a while, both Sera and Ben become
frustrated with each other’s issues. Sera tries to get her partner to
submit to a healthier lifestyle, but he in his turn makes another false
step towards more alcohol consumption. When Sera is begging Ben to
see a doctor, Ben refuses to deal with this issue, and feeling angry
brings another woman – a prostitute back to Sera’s house. At this
point Ben demonstrates signs of severe substance intoxication, with
symptoms of possible brain damage, as his speech patterns are
incoherent. When Sera walks in her rented home and finds Ben with a
prostitute, she throws him out, and soon after that she gets raped and
beaten by a few of her clients. This makes her occupation obvious to
the home owners and the woman gets evicted. Following this, she
receives a call from Ben who is dying, and begs her to come see him.
When she comes to visit him, they have sex for the first time, and in
the morning Ben dies, holding sleeping Sera in his arms.
This film with a tragic ending demonstrates a clear example of chronic
alcoholism. During the film Ben was shown consuming alcohol
numerous times. After the intake he was experiencing a condition
called acute alcoholic intoxication. The individual manifestations of
this condition depended on many factors, such as the amount of
consumed alcohol, activity of enzymatic systems that break down the
substance, personality type, psychological, and physical condition. It
was visible, that alcohol consumption impaired Ben’s adequate
perception of reality, limited the volume of perceived information, and
reduced the rate of information processing. This was clear, when he
after being fired made an irrational decision of killing himself and
started burning all his possessions. At this point alcohol had
deteriorated Ben’s personal qualities of making wise decisions and
rationally planning out his actions. The main character of this film has
demonstrated various sides of his personality in relation to alcoholic
consumption. According to a psychological study of alcoholics it was
discovered that certain personalities are more inclined towards
alcoholism than others (Penick et al., 1999, p. 188). He continually
manifests his pedantic and vexatious qualities, as being under the
influence he becomes more communicative and relaxed, and attempts
seeking communication, firstly in the bar when he tries to pick up an
attractive girl, and secondly when he just met Sera and instead of
having sex, starts talking to her. It is clear that due to this anxiousness,
it important for Ben to consume alcohol in order to feel more relaxed
and have an easier time satisfying his communication need. The
viewer can precisely observe that depressive reactions (desire to kill
himself) are also very inherent to Ben’s personality, as being under the
influence often causes unhappy mood, gloomy thoughts, and sense of
despair. When the hero refused to stop drinking or see a doctor, his
hankering towards alcohol was becoming stronger. The metabolic
processes were becoming modified, and his organism tuned towards
constant intoxication was demanding its everyday dose. Ben was
suffering severe physical dependence, as his appetite for alcohol was
irresistible, and after another overdose he had a desire to satisfy his
hangover with another drink in order to quell unpleasant sensations.
The alcoholism portrayed in this film was probably nearing its final
third stage, as at the end when Sera demands Ben to see a doctor, he
does not have any control over his consumption, and shows visible
signs of abstinent syndrome. According to his speech, his brain had
suffered a severe intellectually mnestic disorder, as he cannot sustain a
conversation due to possible encephalopathy. It was demonstrated by
many authors that when over a period of time an individual consumes
large amounts of alcohol his blood alcohol concentrations (BACs). It
was also revealed that the alcohol exposure patterns affect peak BACs
and induce brain damage (Hannigan, Spear, Spear, & Goodlett, 1999,
p. 23). Another study focused on researching an alcohol induced
disease called hepatic encephalopathy, which is a brain disorder
caused by chronic failure of the liver. It is very common in alcoholics
who have cirrhosis and some of its results are impairments of
psychiatric, cognitive, and motor functions. The reduction of liver
cells due to cirrhosis causes the diversion of blood around the liver,
which leads to such toxins as ammonia and manganese to enter the
neural tissue and cause the damage of astrocytes (Butterworth, 2003).
At the end of the film Ben appears to demonstrate the above
symptoms of hepatic encephalopathy. At this stage the internal organs
are suffering irreversible alterations, such as cardiomyopathy in the
heart, and polyneuropathy in the nervous system which becomes
apparent through aches and abnormal walking pace. All of the above
consequences of this disease bring Ben Sanderson to a tragic end that
is very common among today’s chronic alcoholics.
As was mentioned earlier, the problem of alcoholism in general and
alcoholism as a disease is reflected in many modern art forms. One of
the films that vividly portray this issue is entitled “Leaving Las
Vegas”. This film is based on a cognominal novel by John O’Brien,
and is believed to be autobiographical to him, as this writer was a
hardcore alcoholic. The movie “Leaving Las Vegas” is actually
considered to be a memorial to this author, as it appears that two
weeks after the production had commenced, O’Brien had ended his
life, committing a suicide. Nicolas Cage stars in the role of Ben
Sanderson, who is an experienced alcoholic. His antisocial influence
on the people that surround him is not to be doubted. The director
draws a clear picture of a depressed alcoholic, whose ceaseless
drinking problem had caused him to loose everything and everyone,
including his family and his career as a Hollywood screenwriter. This
loss of social connections as material possessions is very common in
chronic alcoholics. His friend Peter is all he has left, and Ben meets
him at the restaurant in order to get some cash, so that he may have
enough to fulfill his plan of going to Las Vegas and drinking himself
to death. The desperate anti-social nature of an alcoholic is clearly
exemplified, when after meeting with his friend Peter he heads to a
bar, and performs a piteous attempt to pick up a girl that he likes, but
off course he fails. After being fired from his prestigious job the main
character proceeds to his house and makes a backyard bonfire, where
he burns all his material belongings, and heads to Las Vegas. This
illustrates his impaired psychological condition and inability to
soberly evaluate the situation due to constant alcoholic intoxication.
Having arrived in Vegas, Ben almost runs over a woman, who is in
just as hopeless state as he is, and will be his accompanying heroine in
the following part of the film. Being in the state of alcoholic
exhilaration the next day he finds that woman, who turns out to be a
prostitute, named Sera. Ben offers her $ 500 in order to come with
him, but instead of having sex with her, he starts talking to her, and
subsequently creates a strange relationship with this woman. They
attempt to build their relations on coming to terms with each other’s
problems. Sera never criticizes Ben’s drinking problem, and Ben
never mentions or makes remarks concerning Sera’s occupation.
However having lived like this for a while, both Sera and Ben become
frustrated with each other’s issues. Sera tries to get her partner to
submit to a healthier lifestyle, but he in his turn makes another false
step towards more alcohol consumption. When Sera is begging Ben to
see a doctor, Ben refuses to deal with this issue, and feeling angry
brings another woman – a prostitute back to Sera’s house. At this
point Ben demonstrates signs of severe substance intoxication, with
symptoms of possible brain damage, as his speech patterns are
incoherent. When Sera walks in her rented home and finds Ben with a
prostitute, she throws him out, and soon after that she gets raped and
beaten by a few of her clients. This makes her occupation obvious to
the home owners and the woman gets evicted. Following this, she
receives a call from Ben who is dying, and begs her to come see him.
When she comes to visit him, they have sex for the first time, and in
the morning Ben dies, holding sleeping Sera in his arms.
This film with a tragic ending demonstrates a clear example of chronic
alcoholism. During the film Ben was shown consuming alcohol
numerous times. After the intake he was experiencing a condition
called acute alcoholic intoxication. The individual manifestations of
this condition depended on many factors, such as the amount of
consumed alcohol, activity of enzymatic systems that break down the
substance, personality type, psychological, and physical condition. It
was visible, that alcohol consumption impaired Ben’s adequate
perception of reality, limited the volume of perceived information, and
reduced the rate of information processing. This was clear, when he
after being fired made an irrational decision of killing himself and
started burning all his possessions. At this point alcohol had
deteriorated Ben’s personal qualities of making wise decisions and
rationally planning out his actions. The main character of this film has
demonstrated various sides of his personality in relation to alcoholic
consumption. According to a psychological study of alcoholics it was
discovered that certain personalities are more inclined towards
alcoholism than others (Penick et al., 1999, p. 188). He continually
manifests his pedantic and vexatious qualities, as being under the
influence he becomes more communicative and relaxed, and attempts
seeking communication, firstly in the bar when he tries to pick up an
attractive girl, and secondly when he just met Sera and instead of
having sex, starts talking to her. It is clear that due to this anxiousness,
it important for Ben to consume alcohol in order to feel more relaxed
and have an easier time satisfying his communication need. The
viewer can precisely observe that depressive reactions (desire to kill
himself) are also very inherent to Ben’s personality, as being under the
influence often causes unhappy mood, gloomy thoughts, and sense of
despair. When the hero refused to stop drinking or see a doctor, his
hankering towards alcohol was becoming stronger. The metabolic
processes were becoming modified, and his organism tuned towards
constant intoxication was demanding its everyday dose. Ben was
suffering severe physical dependence, as his appetite for alcohol was
irresistible, and after another overdose he had a desire to satisfy his
hangover with another drink in order to quell unpleasant sensations.
The alcoholism portrayed in this film was probably nearing its final
third stage, as at the end when Sera demands Ben to see a doctor, he
does not have any control over his consumption, and shows visible
signs of abstinent syndrome. According to his speech, his brain had
suffered a severe intellectually mnestic disorder, as he cannot sustain a
conversation due to possible encephalopathy. It was demonstrated by
many authors that when over a period of time an individual consumes
large amounts of alcohol his blood alcohol concentrations (BACs). It
was also revealed that the alcohol exposure patterns affect peak BACs
and induce brain damage (Hannigan, Spear, Spear, & Goodlett, 1999,
p. 23). Another study focused on researching an alcohol induced
disease called hepatic encephalopathy, which is a brain disorder
caused by chronic failure of the liver. It is very common in alcoholics
who have cirrhosis and some of its results are impairments of
psychiatric, cognitive, and motor functions. The reduction of liver
cells due to cirrhosis causes the diversion of blood around the liver,
which leads to such toxins as ammonia and manganese to enter the
neural tissue and cause the damage of astrocytes (Butterworth, 2003).
At the end of the film Ben appears to demonstrate the above
symptoms of hepatic encephalopathy. At this stage the internal organs
are suffering irreversible alterations, such as cardiomyopathy in the
heart, and polyneuropathy in the nervous system which becomes
apparent through aches and abnormal walking pace. All of the above
consequences of this disease bring Ben Sanderson to a tragic end that
is very common among today’s chronic alcoholics.
As was mentioned earlier, the problem of alcoholism in general and
alcoholism as a disease is reflected in many modern art forms. One of
the films that vividly portray this issue is entitled “Leaving Las
Vegas”. This film is based on a cognominal novel by John O’Brien,
and is believed to be autobiographical to him, as this writer was a
hardcore alcoholic. The movie “Leaving Las Vegas” is actually
considered to be a memorial to this author, as it appears that two
weeks after the production had commenced, O’Brien had ended his
life, committing a suicide. Nicolas Cage stars in the role of Ben
Sanderson, who is an experienced alcoholic. His antisocial influence
on the people that surround him is not to be doubted. The director
draws a clear picture of a depressed alcoholic, whose ceaseless
drinking problem had caused him to loose everything and everyone,
including his family and his career as a Hollywood screenwriter. This
loss of social connections as material possessions is very common in
chronic alcoholics. His friend Peter is all he has left, and Ben meets
him at the restaurant in order to get some cash, so that he may have
enough to fulfill his plan of going to Las Vegas and drinking himself
to death. The desperate anti-social nature of an alcoholic is clearly
exemplified, when after meeting with his friend Peter he heads to a
bar, and performs a piteous attempt to pick up a girl that he likes, but
off course he fails. After being fired from his prestigious job the main
character proceeds to his house and makes a backyard bonfire, where
he burns all his material belongings, and heads to Las Vegas. This
illustrates his impaired psychological condition and inability to
soberly evaluate the situation due to constant alcoholic intoxication.
Having arrived in Vegas, Ben almost runs over a woman, who is in
just as hopeless state as he is, and will be his accompanying heroine in
the following part of the film. Being in the state of alcoholic
exhilaration the next day he finds that woman, who turns out to be a
prostitute, named Sera. Ben offers her $ 500 in order to come with
him, but instead of having sex with her, he starts talking to her, and
subsequently creates a strange relationship with this woman. They
attempt to build their relations on coming to terms with each other’s
problems. Sera never criticizes Ben’s drinking problem, and Ben
never mentions or makes remarks concerning Sera’s occupation.
However having lived like this for a while, both Sera and Ben become
frustrated with each other’s issues. Sera tries to get her partner to
submit to a healthier lifestyle, but he in his turn makes another false
step towards more alcohol consumption. When Sera is begging Ben to
see a doctor, Ben refuses to deal with this issue, and feeling angry
brings another woman – a prostitute back to Sera’s house. At this
point Ben demonstrates signs of severe substance intoxication, with
symptoms of possible brain damage, as his speech patterns are
incoherent. When Sera walks in her rented home and finds Ben with a
prostitute, she throws him out, and soon after that she gets raped and
beaten by a few of her clients. This makes her occupation obvious to
the home owners and the woman gets evicted. Following this, she
receives a call from Ben who is dying, and begs her to come see him.
When she comes to visit him, they have sex for the first time, and in
the morning Ben dies, holding sleeping Sera in his arms.
This film with a tragic ending demonstrates a clear example of chronic
alcoholism. During the film Ben was shown consuming alcohol
numerous times. After the intake he was experiencing a condition
called acute alcoholic intoxication. The individual manifestations of
this condition depended on many factors, such as the amount of
consumed alcohol, activity of enzymatic systems that break down the
substance, personality type, psychological, and physical condition. It
was visible, that alcohol consumption impaired Ben’s adequate
perception of reality, limited the volume of perceived information, and
reduced the rate of information processing. This was clear, when he
after being fired made an irrational decision of killing himself and
started burning all his possessions. At this point alcohol had
deteriorated Ben’s personal qualities of making wise decisions and
rationally planning out his actions. The main character of this film has
demonstrated various sides of his personality in relation to alcoholic
consumption. According to a psychological study of alcoholics it was
discovered that certain personalities are more inclined towards
alcoholism than others (Penick et al., 1999, p. 188). He continually
manifests his pedantic and vexatious qualities, as being under the
influence he becomes more communicative and relaxed, and attempts
seeking communication, firstly in the bar when he tries to pick up an
attractive girl, and secondly when he just met Sera and instead of
having sex, starts talking to her. It is clear that due to this anxiousness,
it important for Ben to consume alcohol in order to feel more relaxed
and have an easier time satisfying his communication need. The
viewer can precisely observe that depressive reactions (desire to kill
himself) are also very inherent to Ben’s personality, as being under the
influence often causes unhappy mood, gloomy thoughts, and sense of
despair. When the hero refused to stop drinking or see a doctor, his
hankering towards alcohol was becoming stronger. The metabolic
processes were becoming modified, and his organism tuned towards
constant intoxication was demanding its everyday dose. Ben was
suffering severe physical dependence, as his appetite for alcohol was
irresistible, and after another overdose he had a desire to satisfy his
hangover with another drink in order to quell unpleasant sensations.
The alcoholism portrayed in this film was probably nearing its final
third stage, as at the end when Sera demands Ben to see a doctor, he
does not have any control over his consumption, and shows visible
signs of abstinent syndrome. According to his speech, his brain had
suffered a severe intellectually mnestic disorder, as he cannot sustain a
conversation due to possible encephalopathy. It was demonstrated by
many authors that when over a period of time an individual consumes
large amounts of alcohol his blood alcohol concentrations (BACs). It
was also revealed that the alcohol exposure patterns affect peak BACs
and induce brain damage (Hannigan, Spear, Spear, & Goodlett, 1999,
p. 23). Another study focused on researching an alcohol induced
disease called hepatic encephalopathy, which is a brain disorder
caused by chronic failure of the liver. It is very common in alcoholics
who have cirrhosis and some of its results are impairments of
psychiatric, cognitive, and motor functions. The reduction of liver
cells due to cirrhosis causes the diversion of blood around the liver,
which leads to such toxins as ammonia and manganese to enter the
neural tissue and cause the damage of astrocytes (Butterworth, 2003).
At the end of the film Ben appears to demonstrate the above
symptoms of hepatic encephalopathy. At this stage the internal organs
are suffering irreversible alterations, such as cardiomyopathy in the
heart, and polyneuropathy in the nervous system which becomes
apparent through aches and abnormal walking pace. All of the above
consequences of this disease bring Ben Sanderson to a tragic end that
is very common among today’s chronic alcoholics.
As was mentioned earlier, the problem of alcoholism in general and
alcoholism as a disease is reflected in many modern art forms. One of
the films that vividly portray this issue is entitled “Leaving Las
Vegas”. This film is based on a cognominal novel by John O’Brien,
and is believed to be autobiographical to him, as this writer was a
hardcore alcoholic. The movie “Leaving Las Vegas” is actually
considered to be a memorial to this author, as it appears that two
weeks after the production had commenced, O’Brien had ended his
life, committing a suicide. Nicolas Cage stars in the role of Ben
Sanderson, who is an experienced alcoholic. His antisocial influence
on the people that surround him is not to be doubted. The director
draws a clear picture of a depressed alcoholic, whose ceaseless
drinking problem had caused him to loose everything and everyone,
including his family and his career as a Hollywood screenwriter. This
loss of social connections as material possessions is very common in
chronic alcoholics. His friend Peter is all he has left, and Ben meets
him at the restaurant in order to get some cash, so that he may have
enough to fulfill his plan of going to Las Vegas and drinking himself
to death. The desperate anti-social nature of an alcoholic is clearly
exemplified, when after meeting with his friend Peter he heads to a
bar, and performs a piteous attempt to pick up a girl that he likes, but
off course he fails. After being fired from his prestigious job the main
character proceeds to his house and makes a backyard bonfire, where
he burns all his material belongings, and heads to Las Vegas. This
illustrates his impaired psychological condition and inability to
soberly evaluate the situation due to constant alcoholic intoxication.
Having arrived in Vegas, Ben almost runs over a woman, who is in
just as hopeless state as he is, and will be his accompanying heroine in
the following part of the film. Being in the state of alcoholic
exhilaration the next day he finds that woman, who turns out to be a
prostitute, named Sera. Ben offers her $ 500 in order to come with
him, but instead of having sex with her, he starts talking to her, and
subsequently creates a strange relationship with this woman. They
attempt to build their relations on coming to terms with each other’s
problems. Sera never criticizes Ben’s drinking problem, and Ben
never mentions or makes remarks concerning Sera’s occupation.
However having lived like this for a while, both Sera and Ben become
frustrated with each other’s issues. Sera tries to get her partner to
submit to a healthier lifestyle, but he in his turn makes another false
step towards more alcohol consumption. When Sera is begging Ben to
see a doctor, Ben refuses to deal with this issue, and feeling angry
brings another woman – a prostitute back to Sera’s house. At this
point Ben demonstrates signs of severe substance intoxication, with
symptoms of possible brain damage, as his speech patterns are
incoherent. When Sera walks in her rented home and finds Ben with a
prostitute, she throws him out, and soon after that she gets raped and
beaten by a few of her clients. This makes her occupation obvious to
the home owners and the woman gets evicted. Following this, she
receives a call from Ben who is dying, and begs her to come see him.
When she comes to visit him, they have sex for the first time, and in
the morning Ben dies, holding sleeping Sera in his arms.
This film with a tragic ending demonstrates a clear example of chronic
alcoholism. During the film Ben was shown consuming alcohol
numerous times. After the intake he was experiencing a condition
called acute alcoholic intoxication. The individual manifestations of
this condition depended on many factors, such as the amount of
consumed alcohol, activity of enzymatic systems that break down the
substance, personality type, psychological, and physical condition. It
was visible, that alcohol consumption impaired Ben’s adequate
perception of reality, limited the volume of perceived information, and
reduced the rate of information processing. This was clear, when he
after being fired made an irrational decision of killing himself and
started burning all his possessions. At this point alcohol had
deteriorated Ben’s personal qualities of making wise decisions and
rationally planning out his actions. The main character of this film has
demonstrated various sides of his personality in relation to alcoholic
consumption. According to a psychological study of alcoholics it was
discovered that certain personalities are more inclined towards
alcoholism than others (Penick et al., 1999, p. 188). He continually
manifests his pedantic and vexatious qualities, as being under the
influence he becomes more communicative and relaxed, and attempts
seeking communication, firstly in the bar when he tries to pick up an
attractive girl, and secondly when he just met Sera and instead of
having sex, starts talking to her. It is clear that due to this anxiousness,
it important for Ben to consume alcohol in order to feel more relaxed
and have an easier time satisfying his communication need. The
viewer can precisely observe that depressive reactions (desire to kill
himself) are also very inherent to Ben’s personality, as being under the
influence often causes unhappy mood, gloomy thoughts, and sense of
despair. When the hero refused to stop drinking or see a doctor, his
hankering towards alcohol was becoming stronger. The metabolic
processes were becoming modified, and his organism tuned towards
constant intoxication was demanding its everyday dose. Ben was
suffering severe physical dependence, as his appetite for alcohol was
irresistible, and after another overdose he had a desire to satisfy his
hangover with another drink in order to quell unpleasant sensations.
The alcoholism portrayed in this film was probably nearing its final
third stage, as at the end when Sera demands Ben to see a doctor, he
does not have any control over his consumption, and shows visible
signs of abstinent syndrome. According to his speech, his brain had
suffered a severe intellectually mnestic disorder, as he cannot sustain a
conversation due to possible encephalopathy. It was demonstrated by
many authors that when over a period of time an individual consumes
large amounts of alcohol his blood alcohol concentrations (BACs). It
was also revealed that the alcohol exposure patterns affect peak BACs
and induce brain damage (Hannigan, Spear, Spear, & Goodlett, 1999,
p. 23). Another study focused on researching an alcohol induced
disease called hepatic encephalopathy, which is a brain disorder
caused by chronic failure of the liver. It is very common in alcoholics
who have cirrhosis and some of its results are impairments of
psychiatric, cognitive, and motor functions. The reduction of liver
cells due to cirrhosis causes the diversion of blood around the liver,
which leads to such toxins as ammonia and manganese to enter the
neural tissue and cause the damage of astrocytes (Butterworth, 2003).
At the end of the film Ben appears to demonstrate the above
symptoms of hepatic encephalopathy. At this stage the internal organs
are suffering irreversible alterations, such as cardiomyopathy in the
heart, and polyneuropathy in the nervous system which becomes
apparent through aches and abnormal walking pace. All of the above
consequences of this disease bring Ben Sanderson to a tragic end that
is very common among today’s chronic alcoholics.
As was mentioned earlier, the problem of alcoholism in general and
alcoholism as a disease is reflected in many modern art forms. One of
the films that vividly portray this issue is entitled “Leaving Las
Vegas”. This film is based on a cognominal novel by John O’Brien,
and is believed to be autobiographical to him, as this writer was a
hardcore alcoholic. The movie “Leaving Las Vegas” is actually
considered to be a memorial to this author, as it appears that two
weeks after the production had commenced, O’Brien had ended his
life, committing a suicide. Nicolas Cage stars in the role of Ben
Sanderson, who is an experienced alcoholic. His antisocial influence
on the people that surround him is not to be doubted. The director
draws a clear picture of a depressed alcoholic, whose ceaseless
drinking problem had caused him to loose everything and everyone,
including his family and his career as a Hollywood screenwriter. This
loss of social connections as material possessions is very common in
chronic alcoholics. His friend Peter is all he has left, and Ben meets
him at the restaurant in order to get some cash, so that he may have
enough to fulfill his plan of going to Las Vegas and drinking himself
to death. The desperate anti-social nature of an alcoholic is clearly
exemplified, when after meeting with his friend Peter he heads to a
bar, and performs a piteous attempt to pick up a girl that he likes, but
off course he fails. After being fired from his prestigious job the main
character proceeds to his house and makes a backyard bonfire, where
he burns all his material belongings, and heads to Las Vegas. This
illustrates his impaired psychological condition and inability to
soberly evaluate the situation due to constant alcoholic intoxication.
Having arrived in Vegas, Ben almost runs over a woman, who is in
just as hopeless state as he is, and will be his accompanying heroine in
the following part of the film. Being in the state of alcoholic
exhilaration the next day he finds that woman, who turns out to be a
prostitute, named Sera. Ben offers her $ 500 in order to come with
him, but instead of having sex with her, he starts talking to her, and
subsequently creates a strange relationship with this woman. They
attempt to build their relations on coming to terms with each other’s
problems. Sera never criticizes Ben’s drinking problem, and Ben
never mentions or makes remarks concerning Sera’s occupation.
However having lived like this for a while, both Sera and Ben become
frustrated with each other’s issues. Sera tries to get her partner to
submit to a healthier lifestyle, but he in his turn makes another false
step towards more alcohol consumption. When Sera is begging Ben to
see a doctor, Ben refuses to deal with this issue, and feeling angry
brings another woman – a prostitute back to Sera’s house. At this
point Ben demonstrates signs of severe substance intoxication, with
symptoms of possible brain damage, as his speech patterns are
incoherent. When Sera walks in her rented home and finds Ben with a
prostitute, she throws him out, and soon after that she gets raped and
beaten by a few of her clients. This makes her occupation obvious to
the home owners and the woman gets evicted. Following this, she
receives a call from Ben who is dying, and begs her to come see him.
When she comes to visit him, they have sex for the first time, and in
the morning Ben dies, holding sleeping Sera in his arms.
This film with a tragic ending demonstrates a clear example of chronic
alcoholism. During the film Ben was shown consuming alcohol
numerous times. After the intake he was experiencing a condition
called acute alcoholic intoxication. The individual manifestations of
this condition depended on many factors, such as the amount of
consumed alcohol, activity of enzymatic systems that break down the
substance, personality type, psychological, and physical condition. It
was visible, that alcohol consumption impaired Ben’s adequate
perception of reality, limited the volume of perceived information, and
reduced the rate of information processing. This was clear, when he
after being fired made an irrational decision of killing himself and
started burning all his possessions. At this point alcohol had
deteriorated Ben’s personal qualities of making wise decisions and
rationally planning out his actions. The main character of this film has
demonstrated various sides of his personality in relation to alcoholic
consumption. According to a psychological study of alcoholics it was
discovered that certain personalities are more inclined towards
alcoholism than others (Penick et al., 1999, p. 188). He continually
manifests his pedantic and vexatious qualities, as being under the
influence he becomes more communicative and relaxed, and attempts
seeking communication, firstly in the bar when he tries to pick up an
attractive girl, and secondly when he just met Sera and instead of
having sex, starts talking to her. It is clear that due to this anxiousness,
it important for Ben to consume alcohol in order to feel more relaxed
and have an easier time satisfying his communication need. The
viewer can precisely observe that depressive reactions (desire to kill
himself) are also very inherent to Ben’s personality, as being under the
influence often causes unhappy mood, gloomy thoughts, and sense of
despair. When the hero refused to stop drinking or see a doctor, his
hankering towards alcohol was becoming stronger. The metabolic
processes were becoming modified, and his organism tuned towards
constant intoxication was demanding its everyday dose. Ben was
suffering severe physical dependence, as his appetite for alcohol was
irresistible, and after another overdose he had a desire to satisfy his
hangover with another drink in order to quell unpleasant sensations.
The alcoholism portrayed in this film was probably nearing its final
third stage, as at the end when Sera demands Ben to see a doctor, he
does not have any control over his consumption, and shows visible
signs of abstinent syndrome. According to his speech, his brain had
suffered a severe intellectually mnestic disorder, as he cannot sustain a
conversation due to possible encephalopathy. It was demonstrated by
many authors that when over a period of time an individual consumes
large amounts of alcohol his blood alcohol concentrations (BACs). It
was also revealed that the alcohol exposure patterns affect peak BACs
and induce brain damage (Hannigan, Spear, Spear, & Goodlett, 1999,
p. 23). Another study focused on researching an alcohol induced
disease called hepatic encephalopathy, which is a brain disorder
caused by chronic failure of the liver. It is very common in alcoholics
who have cirrhosis and some of its results are impairments of
psychiatric, cognitive, and motor functions. The reduction of liver
cells due to cirrhosis causes the diversion of blood around the liver,
which leads to such toxins as ammonia and manganese to enter the
neural tissue and cause the damage of astrocytes (Butterworth, 2003).
At the end of the film Ben appears to demonstrate the above
symptoms of hepatic encephalopathy. At this stage the internal organs
are suffering irreversible alterations, such as cardiomyopathy in the
heart, and polyneuropathy in the nervous system which becomes
apparent through aches and abnormal walking pace. All of the above
consequences of this disease bring Ben Sanderson to a tragic end that
is very common among today’s chronic alcoholics.
As was mentioned earlier, the problem of alcoholism in general and
alcoholism as a disease is reflected in many modern art forms. One of
the films that vividly portray this issue is entitled “Leaving Las
Vegas”. This film is based on a cognominal novel by John O’Brien,
and is believed to be autobiographical to him, as this writer was a
hardcore alcoholic. The movie “Leaving Las Vegas” is actually
considered to be a memorial to this author, as it appears that two
weeks after the production had commenced, O’Brien had ended his
life, committing a suicide. Nicolas Cage stars in the role of Ben
Sanderson, who is an experienced alcoholic. His antisocial influence
on the people that surround him is not to be doubted. The director
draws a clear picture of a depressed alcoholic, whose ceaseless
drinking problem had caused him to loose everything and everyone,
including his family and his career as a Hollywood screenwriter. This
loss of social connections as material possessions is very common in
chronic alcoholics. His friend Peter is all he has left, and Ben meets
him at the restaurant in order to get some cash, so that he may have
enough to fulfill his plan of going to Las Vegas and drinking himself
to death. The desperate anti-social nature of an alcoholic is clearly
exemplified, when after meeting with his friend Peter he heads to a
bar, and performs a piteous attempt to pick up a girl that he likes, but
off course he fails. After being fired from his prestigious job the main
character proceeds to his house and makes a backyard bonfire, where
he burns all his material belongings, and heads to Las Vegas. This
illustrates his impaired psychological condition and inability to
soberly evaluate the situation due to constant alcoholic intoxication.
Having arrived in Vegas, Ben almost runs over a woman, who is in
just as hopeless state as he is, and will be his accompanying heroine in
the following part of the film. Being in the state of alcoholic
exhilaration the next day he finds that woman, who turns out to be a
prostitute, named Sera. Ben offers her $ 500 in order to come with
him, but instead of having sex with her, he starts talking to her, and
subsequently creates a strange relationship with this woman. They
attempt to build their relations on coming to terms with each other’s
problems. Sera never criticizes Ben’s drinking problem, and Ben
never mentions or makes remarks concerning Sera’s occupation.
However having lived like this for a while, both Sera and Ben become
frustrated with each other’s issues. Sera tries to get her partner to
submit to a healthier lifestyle, but he in his turn makes another false
step towards more alcohol consumption. When Sera is begging Ben to
see a doctor, Ben refuses to deal with this issue, and feeling angry
brings another woman – a prostitute back to Sera’s house. At this
point Ben demonstrates signs of severe substance intoxication, with
symptoms of possible brain damage, as his speech patterns are
incoherent. When Sera walks in her rented home and finds Ben with a
prostitute, she throws him out, and soon after that she gets raped and
beaten by a few of her clients. This makes her occupation obvious to
the home owners and the woman gets evicted. Following this, she
receives a call from Ben who is dying, and begs her to come see him.
When she comes to visit him, they have sex for the first time, and in
the morning Ben dies, holding sleeping Sera in his arms.
This film with a tragic ending demonstrates a clear example of chronic
alcoholism. During the film Ben was shown consuming alcohol
numerous times. After the intake he was experiencing a condition
called acute alcoholic intoxication. The individual manifestations of
this condition depended on many factors, such as the amount of
consumed alcohol, activity of enzymatic systems that break down the
substance, personality type, psychological, and physical condition. It
was visible, that alcohol consumption impaired Ben’s adequate
perception of reality, limited the volume of perceived information, and
reduced the rate of information processing. This was clear, when he
after being fired made an irrational decision of killing himself and
started burning all his possessions. At this point alcohol had
deteriorated Ben’s personal qualities of making wise decisions and
rationally planning out his actions. The main character of this film has
demonstrated various sides of his personality in relation to alcoholic
consumption. According to a psychological study of alcoholics it was
discovered that certain personalities are more inclined towards
alcoholism than others (Penick et al., 1999, p. 188). He continually
manifests his pedantic and vexatious qualities, as being under the
influence he becomes more communicative and relaxed, and attempts
seeking communication, firstly in the bar when he tries to pick up an
attractive girl, and secondly when he just met Sera and instead of
having sex, starts talking to her. It is clear that due to this anxiousness,
it important for Ben to consume alcohol in order to feel more relaxed
and have an easier time satisfying his communication need. The
viewer can precisely observe that depressive reactions (desire to kill
himself) are also very inherent to Ben’s personality, as being under the
influence often causes unhappy mood, gloomy thoughts, and sense of
despair. When the hero refused to stop drinking or see a doctor, his
hankering towards alcohol was becoming stronger. The metabolic
processes were becoming modified, and his organism tuned towards
constant intoxication was demanding its everyday dose. Ben was
suffering severe physical dependence, as his appetite for alcohol was
irresistible, and after another overdose he had a desire to satisfy his
hangover with another drink in order to quell unpleasant sensations.
The alcoholism portrayed in this film was probably nearing its final
third stage, as at the end when Sera demands Ben to see a doctor, he
does not have any control over his consumption, and shows visible
signs of abstinent syndrome. According to his speech, his brain had
suffered a severe intellectually mnestic disorder, as he cannot sustain a
conversation due to possible encephalopathy. It was demonstrated by
many authors that when over a period of time an individual consumes
large amounts of alcohol his blood alcohol concentrations (BACs). It
was also revealed that the alcohol exposure patterns affect peak BACs
and induce brain damage (Hannigan, Spear, Spear, & Goodlett, 1999,
p. 23). Another study focused on researching an alcohol induced
disease called hepatic encephalopathy, which is a brain disorder
caused by chronic failure of the liver. It is very common in alcoholics
who have cirrhosis and some of its results are impairments of
psychiatric, cognitive, and motor functions. The reduction of liver
cells due to cirrhosis causes the diversion of blood around the liver,
which leads to such toxins as ammonia and manganese to enter the
neural tissue and cause the damage of astrocytes (Butterworth, 2003).
At the end of the film Ben appears to demonstrate the above
symptoms of hepatic encephalopathy. At this stage the internal organs
are suffering irreversible alterations, such as cardiomyopathy in the
heart, and polyneuropathy in the nervous system which becomes
apparent through aches and abnormal walking pace. All of the above
consequences of this disease bring Ben Sanderson to a tragic end that
is very common among today’s chronic alcoholics.
As was mentioned earlier, the problem of alcoholism in general and
alcoholism as a disease is reflected in many modern art forms. One of
the films that vividly portray this issue is entitled “Leaving Las
Vegas”. This film is based on a cognominal novel by John O’Brien,
and is believed to be autobiographical to him, as this writer was a
hardcore alcoholic. The movie “Leaving Las Vegas” is actually
considered to be a memorial to this author, as it appears that two
weeks after the production had commenced, O’Brien had ended his
life, committing a suicide. Nicolas Cage stars in the role of Ben
Sanderson, who is an experienced alcoholic. His antisocial influence
on the people that surround him is not to be doubted. The director
draws a clear picture of a depressed alcoholic, whose ceaseless
drinking problem had caused him to loose everything and everyone,
including his family and his career as a Hollywood screenwriter. This
loss of social connections as material possessions is very common in
chronic alcoholics. His friend Peter is all he has left, and Ben meets
him at the restaurant in order to get some cash, so that he may have
enough to fulfill his plan of going to Las Vegas and drinking himself
to death. The desperate anti-social nature of an alcoholic is clearly
exemplified, when after meeting with his friend Peter he heads to a
bar, and performs a piteous attempt to pick up a girl that he likes, but
off course he fails. After being fired from his prestigious job the main
character proceeds to his house and makes a backyard bonfire, where
he burns all his material belongings, and heads to Las Vegas. This
illustrates his impaired psychological condition and inability to
soberly evaluate the situation due to constant alcoholic intoxication.
Having arrived in Vegas, Ben almost runs over a woman, who is in
just as hopeless state as he is, and will be his accompanying heroine in
the following part of the film. Being in the state of alcoholic
exhilaration the next day he finds that woman, who turns out to be a
prostitute, named Sera. Ben offers her $ 500 in order to come with
him, but instead of having sex with her, he starts talking to her, and
subsequently creates a strange relationship with this woman. They
attempt to build their relations on coming to terms with each other’s
problems. Sera never criticizes Ben’s drinking problem, and Ben
never mentions or makes remarks concerning Sera’s occupation.
However having lived like this for a while, both Sera and Ben become
frustrated with each other’s issues. Sera tries to get her partner to
submit to a healthier lifestyle, but he in his turn makes another false
step towards more alcohol consumption. When Sera is begging Ben to
see a doctor, Ben refuses to deal with this issue, and feeling angry
brings another woman – a prostitute back to Sera’s house. At this
point Ben demonstrates signs of severe substance intoxication, with
symptoms of possible brain damage, as his speech patterns are
incoherent. When Sera walks in her rented home and finds Ben with a
prostitute, she throws him out, and soon after that she gets raped and
beaten by a few of her clients. This makes her occupation obvious to
the home owners and the woman gets evicted. Following this, she
receives a call from Ben who is dying, and begs her to come see him.
When she comes to visit him, they have sex for the first time, and in
the morning Ben dies, holding sleeping Sera in his arms.
This film with a tragic ending demonstrates a clear example of chronic
alcoholism. During the film Ben was shown consuming alcohol
numerous times. After the intake he was experiencing a condition
called acute alcoholic intoxication. The individual manifestations of
this condition depended on many factors, such as the amount of
consumed alcohol, activity of enzymatic systems that break down the
substance, personality type, psychological, and physical condition. It
was visible, that alcohol consumption impaired Ben’s adequate
perception of reality, limited the volume of perceived information, and
reduced the rate of information processing. This was clear, when he
after being fired made an irrational decision of killing himself and
started burning all his possessions. At this point alcohol had
deteriorated Ben’s personal qualities of making wise decisions and
rationally planning out his actions. The main character of this film has
demonstrated various sides of his personality in relation to alcoholic
consumption. According to a psychological study of alcoholics it was
discovered that certain personalities are more inclined towards
alcoholism than others (Penick et al., 1999, p. 188). He continually
manifests his pedantic and vexatious qualities, as being under the
influence he becomes more communicative and relaxed, and attempts
seeking communication, firstly in the bar when he tries to pick up an
attractive girl, and secondly when he just met Sera and instead of
having sex, starts talking to her. It is clear that due to this anxiousness,
it important for Ben to consume alcohol in order to feel more relaxed
and have an easier time satisfying his communication need. The
viewer can precisely observe that depressive reactions (desire to kill
himself) are also very inherent to Ben’s personality, as being under the
influence often causes unhappy mood, gloomy thoughts, and sense of
despair. When the hero refused to stop drinking or see a doctor, his
hankering towards alcohol was becoming stronger. The metabolic
processes were becoming modified, and his organism tuned towards
constant intoxication was demanding its everyday dose. Ben was
suffering severe physical dependence, as his appetite for alcohol was
irresistible, and after another overdose he had a desire to satisfy his
hangover with another drink in order to quell unpleasant sensations.
The alcoholism portrayed in this film was probably nearing its final
third stage, as at the end when Sera demands Ben to see a doctor, he
does not have any control over his consumption, and shows visible
signs of abstinent syndrome. According to his speech, his brain had
suffered a severe intellectually mnestic disorder, as he cannot sustain a
conversation due to possible encephalopathy. It was demonstrated by
many authors that when over a period of time an individual consumes
large amounts of alcohol his blood alcohol concentrations (BACs). It
was also revealed that the alcohol exposure patterns affect peak BACs
and induce brain damage (Hannigan, Spear, Spear, & Goodlett, 1999,
p. 23). Another study focused on researching an alcohol induced
disease called hepatic encephalopathy, which is a brain disorder
caused by chronic failure of the liver. It is very common in alcoholics
who have cirrhosis and some of its results are impairments of
psychiatric, cognitive, and motor functions. The reduction of liver
cells due to cirrhosis causes the diversion of blood around the liver,
which leads to such toxins as ammonia and manganese to enter the
neural tissue and cause the damage of astrocytes (Butterworth, 2003).
At the end of the film Ben appears to demonstrate the above
symptoms of hepatic encephalopathy. At this stage the internal organs
are suffering irreversible alterations, such as cardiomyopathy in the
heart, and polyneuropathy in the nervous system which becomes
apparent through aches and abnormal walking pace. All of the above
consequences of this disease bring Ben Sanderson to a tragic end that
is very common among today’s chronic alcoholics.
As was mentioned earlier, the problem of alcoholism in general and
alcoholism as a disease is reflected in many modern art forms. One of
the films that vividly portray this issue is entitled “Leaving Las
Vegas”. This film is based on a cognominal novel by John O’Brien,
and is believed to be autobiographical to him, as this writer was a
hardcore alcoholic. The movie “Leaving Las Vegas” is actually
considered to be a memorial to this author, as it appears that two
weeks after the production had commenced, O’Brien had ended his
life, committing a suicide. Nicolas Cage stars in the role of Ben
Sanderson, who is an experienced alcoholic. His antisocial influence
on the people that surround him is not to be doubted. The director
draws a clear picture of a depressed alcoholic, whose ceaseless
drinking problem had caused him to loose everything and everyone,
including his family and his career as a Hollywood screenwriter. This
loss of social connections as material possessions is very common in
chronic alcoholics. His friend Peter is all he has left, and Ben meets
him at the restaurant in order to get some cash, so that he may have
enough to fulfill his plan of going to Las Vegas and drinking himself
to death. The desperate anti-social nature of an alcoholic is clearly
exemplified, when after meeting with his friend Peter he heads to a
bar, and performs a piteous attempt to pick up a girl that he likes, but
off course he fails. After being fired from his prestigious job the main
character proceeds to his house and makes a backyard bonfire, where
he burns all his material belongings, and heads to Las Vegas. This
illustrates his impaired psychological condition and inability to
soberly evaluate the situation due to constant alcoholic intoxication.
Having arrived in Vegas, Ben almost runs over a woman, who is in
just as hopeless state as he is, and will be his accompanying heroine in
the following part of the film. Being in the state of alcoholic
exhilaration the next day he finds that woman, who turns out to be a
prostitute, named Sera. Ben offers her $ 500 in order to come with
him, but instead of having sex with her, he starts talking to her, and
subsequently creates a strange relationship with this woman. They
attempt to build their relations on coming to terms with each other’s
problems. Sera never criticizes Ben’s drinking problem, and Ben
never mentions or makes remarks concerning Sera’s occupation.
However having lived like this for a while, both Sera and Ben become
frustrated with each other’s issues. Sera tries to get her partner to
submit to a healthier lifestyle, but he in his turn makes another false
step towards more alcohol consumption. When Sera is begging Ben to
see a doctor, Ben refuses to deal with this issue, and feeling angry
brings another woman – a prostitute back to Sera’s house. At this
point Ben demonstrates signs of severe substance intoxication, with
symptoms of possible brain damage, as his speech patterns are
incoherent. When Sera walks in her rented home and finds Ben with a
prostitute, she throws him out, and soon after that she gets raped and
beaten by a few of her clients. This makes her occupation obvious to
the home owners and the woman gets evicted. Following this, she
receives a call from Ben who is dying, and begs her to come see him.
When she comes to visit him, they have sex for the first time, and in
the morning Ben dies, holding sleeping Sera in his arms.
This film with a tragic ending demonstrates a clear example of chronic
alcoholism. During the film Ben was shown consuming alcohol
numerous times. After the intake he was experiencing a condition
called acute alcoholic intoxication. The individual manifestations of
this condition depended on many factors, such as the amount of
consumed alcohol, activity of enzymatic systems that break down the
substance, personality type, psychological, and physical condition. It
was visible, that alcohol consumption impaired Ben’s adequate
perception of reality, limited the volume of perceived information, and
reduced the rate of information processing. This was clear, when he
after being fired made an irrational decision of killing himself and
started burning all his possessions. At this point alcohol had
deteriorated Ben’s personal qualities of making wise decisions and
rationally planning out his actions. The main character of this film has
demonstrated various sides of his personality in relation to alcoholic
consumption. According to a psychological study of alcoholics it was
discovered that certain personalities are more inclined towards
alcoholism than others (Penick et al., 1999, p. 188). He continually
manifests his pedantic and vexatious qualities, as being under the
influence he becomes more communicative and relaxed, and attempts
seeking communication, firstly in the bar when he tries to pick up an
attractive girl, and secondly when he just met Sera and instead of
having sex, starts talking to her. It is clear that due to this anxiousness,
it important for Ben to consume alcohol in order to feel more relaxed
and have an easier time satisfying his communication need. The
viewer can precisely observe that depressive reactions (desire to kill
himself) are also very inherent to Ben’s personality, as being under the
influence often causes unhappy mood, gloomy thoughts, and sense of
despair. When the hero refused to stop drinking or see a doctor, his
hankering towards alcohol was becoming stronger. The metabolic
processes were becoming modified, and his organism tuned towards
constant intoxication was demanding its everyday dose. Ben was
suffering severe physical dependence, as his appetite for alcohol was
irresistible, and after another overdose he had a desire to satisfy his
hangover with another drink in order to quell unpleasant sensations.
The alcoholism portrayed in this film was probably nearing its final
third stage, as at the end when Sera demands Ben to see a doctor, he
does not have any control over his consumption, and shows visible
signs of abstinent syndrome. According to his speech, his brain had
suffered a severe intellectually mnestic disorder, as he cannot sustain a
conversation due to possible encephalopathy. It was demonstrated by
many authors that when over a period of time an individual consumes
large amounts of alcohol his blood alcohol concentrations (BACs). It
was also revealed that the alcohol exposure patterns affect peak BACs
and induce brain damage (Hannigan, Spear, Spear, & Goodlett, 1999,
p. 23). Another study focused on researching an alcohol induced
disease called hepatic encephalopathy, which is a brain disorder
caused by chronic failure of the liver. It is very common in alcoholics
who have cirrhosis and some of its results are impairments of
psychiatric, cognitive, and motor functions. The reduction of liver
cells due to cirrhosis causes the diversion of blood around the liver,
which leads to such toxins as ammonia and manganese to enter the
neural tissue and cause the damage of astrocytes (Butterworth, 2003).
At the end of the film Ben appears to demonstrate the above
symptoms of hepatic encephalopathy. At this stage the internal organs
are suffering irreversible alterations, such as cardiomyopathy in the
heart, and polyneuropathy in the nervous system which becomes
apparent through aches and abnormal walking pace. All of the above
consequences of this disease bring Ben Sanderson to a tragic end that
is very common among today’s chronic alcoholics.
As was mentioned earlier, the problem of alcoholism in general and
alcoholism as a disease is reflected in many modern art forms. One of
the films that vividly portray this issue is entitled “Leaving Las
Vegas”. This film is based on a cognominal novel by John O’Brien,
and is believed to be autobiographical to him, as this writer was a
hardcore alcoholic. The movie “Leaving Las Vegas” is actually
considered to be a memorial to this author, as it appears that two
weeks after the production had commenced, O’Brien had ended his
life, committing a suicide. Nicolas Cage stars in the role of Ben
Sanderson, who is an experienced alcoholic. His antisocial influence
on the people that surround him is not to be doubted. The director
draws a clear picture of a depressed alcoholic, whose ceaseless
drinking problem had caused him to loose everything and everyone,
including his family and his career as a Hollywood screenwriter. This
loss of social connections as material possessions is very common in
chronic alcoholics. His friend Peter is all he has left, and Ben meets
him at the restaurant in order to get some cash, so that he may have
enough to fulfill his plan of going to Las Vegas and drinking himself
to death. The desperate anti-social nature of an alcoholic is clearly
exemplified, when after meeting with his friend Peter he heads to a
bar, and performs a piteous attempt to pick up a girl that he likes, but
off course he fails. After being fired from his prestigious job the main
character proceeds to his house and makes a backyard bonfire, where
he burns all his material belongings, and heads to Las Vegas. This
illustrates his impaired psychological condition and inability to
soberly evaluate the situation due to constant alcoholic intoxication.
Having arrived in Vegas, Ben almost runs over a woman, who is in
just as hopeless state as he is, and will be his accompanying heroine in
the following part of the film. Being in the state of alcoholic
exhilaration the next day he finds that woman, who turns out to be a
prostitute, named Sera. Ben offers her $ 500 in order to come with
him, but instead of having sex with her, he starts talking to her, and
subsequently creates a strange relationship with this woman. They
attempt to build their relations on coming to terms with each other’s
problems. Sera never criticizes Ben’s drinking problem, and Ben
never mentions or makes remarks concerning Sera’s occupation.
However having lived like this for a while, both Sera and Ben become
frustrated with each other’s issues. Sera tries to get her partner to
submit to a healthier lifestyle, but he in his turn makes another false
step towards more alcohol consumption. When Sera is begging Ben to
see a doctor, Ben refuses to deal with this issue, and feeling angry
brings another woman – a prostitute back to Sera’s house. At this
point Ben demonstrates signs of severe substance intoxication, with
symptoms of possible brain damage, as his speech patterns are
incoherent. When Sera walks in her rented home and finds Ben with a
prostitute, she throws him out, and soon after that she gets raped and
beaten by a few of her clients. This makes her occupation obvious to
the home owners and the woman gets evicted. Following this, she
receives a call from Ben who is dying, and begs her to come see him.
When she comes to visit him, they have sex for the first time, and in
the morning Ben dies, holding sleeping Sera in his arms.
This film with a tragic ending demonstrates a clear example of chronic
alcoholism. During the film Ben was shown consuming alcohol
numerous times. After the intake he was experiencing a condition
called acute alcoholic intoxication. The individual manifestations of
this condition depended on many factors, such as the amount of
consumed alcohol, activity of enzymatic systems that break down the
substance, personality type, psychological, and physical condition. It
was visible, that alcohol consumption impaired Ben’s adequate
perception of reality, limited the volume of perceived information, and
reduced the rate of information processing. This was clear, when he
after being fired made an irrational decision of killing himself and
started burning all his possessions. At this point alcohol had
deteriorated Ben’s personal qualities of making wise decisions and
rationally planning out his actions. The main character of this film has
demonstrated various sides of his personality in relation to alcoholic
consumption. According to a psychological study of alcoholics it was
discovered that certain personalities are more inclined towards
alcoholism than others (Penick et al., 1999, p. 188). He continually
manifests his pedantic and vexatious qualities, as being under the
influence he becomes more communicative and relaxed, and attempts
seeking communication, firstly in the bar when he tries to pick up an
attractive girl, and secondly when he just met Sera and instead of
having sex, starts talking to her. It is clear that due to this anxiousness,
it important for Ben to consume alcohol in order to feel more relaxed
and have an easier time satisfying his communication need. The
viewer can precisely observe that depressive reactions (desire to kill
himself) are also very inherent to Ben’s personality, as being under the
influence often causes unhappy mood, gloomy thoughts, and sense of
despair. When the hero refused to stop drinking or see a doctor, his
hankering towards alcohol was becoming stronger. The metabolic
processes were becoming modified, and his organism tuned towards
constant intoxication was demanding its everyday dose. Ben was
suffering severe physical dependence, as his appetite for alcohol was
irresistible, and after another overdose he had a desire to satisfy his
hangover with another drink in order to quell unpleasant sensations.
The alcoholism portrayed in this film was probably nearing its final
third stage, as at the end when Sera demands Ben to see a doctor, he
does not have any control over his consumption, and shows visible
signs of abstinent syndrome. According to his speech, his brain had
suffered a severe intellectually mnestic disorder, as he cannot sustain a
conversation due to possible encephalopathy. It was demonstrated by
many authors that when over a period of time an individual consumes
large amounts of alcohol his blood alcohol concentrations (BACs). It
was also revealed that the alcohol exposure patterns affect peak BACs
and induce brain damage (Hannigan, Spear, Spear, & Goodlett, 1999,
p. 23). Another study focused on researching an alcohol induced
disease called hepatic encephalopathy, which is a brain disorder
caused by chronic failure of the liver. It is very common in alcoholics
who have cirrhosis and some of its results are impairments of
psychiatric, cognitive, and motor functions. The reduction of liver
cells due to cirrhosis causes the diversion of blood around the liver,
which leads to such toxins as ammonia and manganese to enter the
neural tissue and cause the damage of astrocytes (Butterworth, 2003).
At the end of the film Ben appears to demonstrate the above
symptoms of hepatic encephalopathy. At this stage the internal organs
are suffering irreversible alterations, such as cardiomyopathy in the
heart, and polyneuropathy in the nervous system which becomes
apparent through aches and abnormal walking pace. All of the above
consequences of this disease bring Ben Sanderson to a tragic end that
is very common among today’s chronic alcoholics.
As was mentioned earlier, the problem of alcoholism in general and
alcoholism as a disease is reflected in many modern art forms. One of
the films that vividly portray this issue is entitled “Leaving Las
Vegas”. This film is based on a cognominal novel by John O’Brien,
and is believed to be autobiographical to him, as this writer was a
hardcore alcoholic. The movie “Leaving Las Vegas” is actually
considered to be a memorial to this author, as it appears that two
weeks after the production had commenced, O’Brien had ended his
life, committing a suicide. Nicolas Cage stars in the role of Ben
Sanderson, who is an experienced alcoholic. His antisocial influence
on the people that surround him is not to be doubted. The director
draws a clear picture of a depressed alcoholic, whose ceaseless
drinking problem had caused him to loose everything and everyone,
including his family and his career as a Hollywood screenwriter. This
loss of social connections as material possessions is very common in
chronic alcoholics. His friend Peter is all he has left, and Ben meets
him at the restaurant in order to get some cash, so that he may have
enough to fulfill his plan of going to Las Vegas and drinking himself
to death. The desperate anti-social nature of an alcoholic is clearly
exemplified, when after meeting with his friend Peter he heads to a
bar, and performs a piteous attempt to pick up a girl that he likes, but
off course he fails. After being fired from his prestigious job the main
character proceeds to his house and makes a backyard bonfire, where
he burns all his material belongings, and heads to Las Vegas. This
illustrates his impaired psychological condition and inability to
soberly evaluate the situation due to constant alcoholic intoxication.
Having arrived in Vegas, Ben almost runs over a woman, who is in
just as hopeless state as he is, and will be his accompanying heroine in
the following part of the film. Being in the state of alcoholic
exhilaration the next day he finds that woman, who turns out to be a
prostitute, named Sera. Ben offers her $ 500 in order to come with
him, but instead of having sex with her, he starts talking to her, and
subsequently creates a strange relationship with this woman. They
attempt to build their relations on coming to terms with each other’s
problems. Sera never criticizes Ben’s drinking problem, and Ben
never mentions or makes remarks concerning Sera’s occupation.
However having lived like this for a while, both Sera and Ben become
frustrated with each other’s issues. Sera tries to get her partner to
submit to a healthier lifestyle, but he in his turn makes another false
step towards more alcohol consumption. When Sera is begging Ben to
see a doctor, Ben refuses to deal with this issue, and feeling angry
brings another woman – a prostitute back to Sera’s house. At this
point Ben demonstrates signs of severe substance intoxication, with
symptoms of possible brain damage, as his speech patterns are
incoherent. When Sera walks in her rented home and finds Ben with a
prostitute, she throws him out, and soon after that she gets raped and
beaten by a few of her clients. This makes her occupation obvious to
the home owners and the woman gets evicted. Following this, she
receives a call from Ben who is dying, and begs her to come see him.
When she comes to visit him, they have sex for the first time, and in
the morning Ben dies, holding sleeping Sera in his arms.
This film with a tragic ending demonstrates a clear example of chronic
alcoholism. During the film Ben was shown consuming alcohol
numerous times. After the intake he was experiencing a condition
called acute alcoholic intoxication. The individual manifestations of
this condition depended on many factors, such as the amount of
consumed alcohol, activity of enzymatic systems that break down the
substance, personality type, psychological, and physical condition. It
was visible, that alcohol consumption impaired Ben’s adequate
perception of reality, limited the volume of perceived information, and
reduced the rate of information processing. This was clear, when he
after being fired made an irrational decision of killing himself and
started burning all his possessions. At this point alcohol had
deteriorated Ben’s personal qualities of making wise decisions and
rationally planning out his actions. The main character of this film has
demonstrated various sides of his personality in relation to alcoholic
consumption. According to a psychological study of alcoholics it was
discovered that certain personalities are more inclined towards
alcoholism than others (Penick et al., 1999, p. 188). He continually
manifests his pedantic and vexatious qualities, as being under the
influence he becomes more communicative and relaxed, and attempts
seeking communication, firstly in the bar when he tries to pick up an
attractive girl, and secondly when he just met Sera and instead of
having sex, starts talking to her. It is clear that due to this anxiousness,
it important for Ben to consume alcohol in order to feel more relaxed
and have an easier time satisfying his communication need. The
viewer can precisely observe that depressive reactions (desire to kill
himself) are also very inherent to Ben’s personality, as being under the
influence often causes unhappy mood, gloomy thoughts, and sense of
despair. When the hero refused to stop drinking or see a doctor, his
hankering towards alcohol was becoming stronger. The metabolic
processes were becoming modified, and his organism tuned towards
constant intoxication was demanding its everyday dose. Ben was
suffering severe physical dependence, as his appetite for alcohol was
irresistible, and after another overdose he had a desire to satisfy his
hangover with another drink in order to quell unpleasant sensations.
The alcoholism portrayed in this film was probably nearing its final
third stage, as at the end when Sera demands Ben to see a doctor, he
does not have any control over his consumption, and shows visible
signs of abstinent syndrome. According to his speech, his brain had
suffered a severe intellectually mnestic disorder, as he cannot sustain a
conversation due to possible encephalopathy. It was demonstrated by
many authors that when over a period of time an individual consumes
large amounts of alcohol his blood alcohol concentrations (BACs). It
was also revealed that the alcohol exposure patterns affect peak BACs
and induce brain damage (Hannigan, Spear, Spear, & Goodlett, 1999,
p. 23). Another study focused on researching an alcohol induced
disease called hepatic encephalopathy, which is a brain disorder
caused by chronic failure of the liver. It is very common in alcoholics
who have cirrhosis and some of its results are impairments of
psychiatric, cognitive, and motor functions. The reduction of liver
cells due to cirrhosis causes the diversion of blood around the liver,
which leads to such toxins as ammonia and manganese to enter the
neural tissue and cause the damage of astrocytes (Butterworth, 2003).
At the end of the film Ben appears to demonstrate the above
symptoms of hepatic encephalopathy. At this stage the internal organs
are suffering irreversible alterations, such as cardiomyopathy in the
heart, and polyneuropathy in the nervous system which becomes
apparent through aches and abnormal walking pace. All of the above
consequences of this disease bring Ben Sanderson to a tragic end that
is very common among today’s chronic alcoholics.
As was mentioned earlier, the problem of alcoholism in general and
alcoholism as a disease is reflected in many modern art forms. One of
the films that vividly portray this issue is entitled “Leaving Las
Vegas”. This film is based on a cognominal novel by John O’Brien,
and is believed to be autobiographical to him, as this writer was a
hardcore alcoholic. The movie “Leaving Las Vegas” is actually
considered to be a memorial to this author, as it appears that two
weeks after the production had commenced, O’Brien had ended his
life, committing a suicide. Nicolas Cage stars in the role of Ben
Sanderson, who is an experienced alcoholic. His antisocial influence
on the people that surround him is not to be doubted. The director
draws a clear picture of a depressed alcoholic, whose ceaseless
drinking problem had caused him to loose everything and everyone,
including his family and his career as a Hollywood screenwriter. This
loss of social connections as material possessions is very common in
chronic alcoholics. His friend Peter is all he has left, and Ben meets
him at the restaurant in order to get some cash, so that he may have
enough to fulfill his plan of going to Las Vegas and drinking himself
to death. The desperate anti-social nature of an alcoholic is clearly
exemplified, when after meeting with his friend Peter he heads to a
bar, and performs a piteous attempt to pick up a girl that he likes, but
off course he fails. After being fired from his prestigious job the main
character proceeds to his house and makes a backyard bonfire, where
he burns all his material belongings, and heads to Las Vegas. This
illustrates his impaired psychological condition and inability to
soberly evaluate the situation due to constant alcoholic intoxication.
Having arrived in Vegas, Ben almost runs over a woman, who is in
just as hopeless state as he is, and will be his accompanying heroine in
the following part of the film. Being in the state of alcoholic
exhilaration the next day he finds that woman, who turns out to be a
prostitute, named Sera. Ben offers her $ 500 in order to come with
him, but instead of having sex with her, he starts talking to her, and
subsequently creates a strange relationship with this woman. They
attempt to build their relations on coming to terms with each other’s
problems. Sera never criticizes Ben’s drinking problem, and Ben
never mentions or makes remarks concerning Sera’s occupation.
However having lived like this for a while, both Sera and Ben become
frustrated with each other’s issues. Sera tries to get her partner to
submit to a healthier lifestyle, but he in his turn makes another false
step towards more alcohol consumption. When Sera is begging Ben to
see a doctor, Ben refuses to deal with this issue, and feeling angry
brings another woman – a prostitute back to Sera’s house. At this
point Ben demonstrates signs of severe substance intoxication, with
symptoms of possible brain damage, as his speech patterns are
incoherent. When Sera walks in her rented home and finds Ben with a
prostitute, she throws him out, and soon after that she gets raped and
beaten by a few of her clients. This makes her occupation obvious to
the home owners and the woman gets evicted. Following this, she
receives a call from Ben who is dying, and begs her to come see him.
When she comes to visit him, they have sex for the first time, and in
the morning Ben dies, holding sleeping Sera in his arms.
This film with a tragic ending demonstrates a clear example of chronic
alcoholism. During the film Ben was shown consuming alcohol
numerous times. After the intake he was experiencing a condition
called acute alcoholic intoxication. The individual manifestations of
this condition depended on many factors, such as the amount of
consumed alcohol, activity of enzymatic systems that break down the
substance, personality type, psychological, and physical condition. It
was visible, that alcohol consumption impaired Ben’s adequate
perception of reality, limited the volume of perceived information, and
reduced the rate of information processing. This was clear, when he
after being fired made an irrational decision of killing himself and
started burning all his possessions. At this point alcohol had
deteriorated Ben’s personal qualities of making wise decisions and
rationally planning out his actions. The main character of this film has
demonstrated various sides of his personality in relation to alcoholic
consumption. According to a psychological study of alcoholics it was
discovered that certain personalities are more inclined towards
alcoholism than others (Penick et al., 1999, p. 188). He continually
manifests his pedantic and vexatious qualities, as being under the
influence he becomes more communicative and relaxed, and attempts
seeking communication, firstly in the bar when he tries to pick up an
attractive girl, and secondly when he just met Sera and instead of
having sex, starts talking to her. It is clear that due to this anxiousness,
it important for Ben to consume alcohol in order to feel more relaxed
and have an easier time satisfying his communication need. The
viewer can precisely observe that depressive reactions (desire to kill
himself) are also very inherent to Ben’s personality, as being under the
influence often causes unhappy mood, gloomy thoughts, and sense of
despair. When the hero refused to stop drinking or see a doctor, his
hankering towards alcohol was becoming stronger. The metabolic
processes were becoming modified, and his organism tuned towards
constant intoxication was demanding its everyday dose. Ben was
suffering severe physical dependence, as his appetite for alcohol was
irresistible, and after another overdose he had a desire to satisfy his
hangover with another drink in order to quell unpleasant sensations.
The alcoholism portrayed in this film was probably nearing its final
third stage, as at the end when Sera demands Ben to see a doctor, he
does not have any control over his consumption, and shows visible
signs of abstinent syndrome. According to his speech, his brain had
suffered a severe intellectually mnestic disorder, as he cannot sustain a
conversation due to possible encephalopathy. It was demonstrated by
many authors that when over a period of time an individual consumes
large amounts of alcohol his blood alcohol concentrations (BACs). It
was also revealed that the alcohol exposure patterns affect peak BACs
and induce brain damage (Hannigan, Spear, Spear, & Goodlett, 1999,
p. 23). Another study focused on researching an alcohol induced
disease called hepatic encephalopathy, which is a brain disorder
caused by chronic failure of the liver. It is very common in alcoholics
who have cirrhosis and some of its results are impairments of
psychiatric, cognitive, and motor functions. The reduction of liver
cells due to cirrhosis causes the diversion of blood around the liver,
which leads to such toxins as ammonia and manganese to enter the
neural tissue and cause the damage of astrocytes (Butterworth, 2003).
At the end of the film Ben appears to demonstrate the above
symptoms of hepatic encephalopathy. At this stage the internal organs
are suffering irreversible alterations, such as cardiomyopathy in the
heart, and polyneuropathy in the nervous system which becomes
apparent through aches and abnormal walking pace. All of the above
consequences of this disease bring Ben Sanderson to a tragic end that
is very common among today’s chronic alcoholics.
As was mentioned earlier, the problem of alcoholism in general and
alcoholism as a disease is reflected in many modern art forms. One of
the films that vividly portray this issue is entitled “Leaving Las
Vegas”. This film is based on a cognominal novel by John O’Brien,
and is believed to be autobiographical to him, as this writer was a
hardcore alcoholic. The movie “Leaving Las Vegas” is actually
considered to be a memorial to this author, as it appears that two
weeks after the production had commenced, O’Brien had ended his
life, committing a suicide. Nicolas Cage stars in the role of Ben
Sanderson, who is an experienced alcoholic. His antisocial influence
on the people that surround him is not to be doubted. The director
draws a clear picture of a depressed alcoholic, whose ceaseless
drinking problem had caused him to loose everything and everyone,
including his family and his career as a Hollywood screenwriter. This
loss of social connections as material possessions is very common in
chronic alcoholics. His friend Peter is all he has left, and Ben meets
him at the restaurant in order to get some cash, so that he may have
enough to fulfill his plan of going to Las Vegas and drinking himself
to death. The desperate anti-social nature of an alcoholic is clearly
exemplified, when after meeting with his friend Peter he heads to a
bar, and performs a piteous attempt to pick up a girl that he likes, but
off course he fails. After being fired from his prestigious job the main
character proceeds to his house and makes a backyard bonfire, where
he burns all his material belongings, and heads to Las Vegas. This
illustrates his impaired psychological condition and inability to
soberly evaluate the situation due to constant alcoholic intoxication.
Having arrived in Vegas, Ben almost runs over a woman, who is in
just as hopeless state as he is, and will be his accompanying heroine in
the following part of the film. Being in the state of alcoholic
exhilaration the next day he finds that woman, who turns out to be a
prostitute, named Sera. Ben offers her $ 500 in order to come with
him, but instead of having sex with her, he starts talking to her, and
subsequently creates a strange relationship with this woman. They
attempt to build their relations on coming to terms with each other’s
problems. Sera never criticizes Ben’s drinking problem, and Ben
never mentions or makes remarks concerning Sera’s occupation.
However having lived like this for a while, both Sera and Ben become
frustrated with each other’s issues. Sera tries to get her partner to
submit to a healthier lifestyle, but he in his turn makes another false
step towards more alcohol consumption. When Sera is begging Ben to
see a doctor, Ben refuses to deal with this issue, and feeling angry
brings another woman – a prostitute back to Sera’s house. At this
point Ben demonstrates signs of severe substance intoxication, with
symptoms of possible brain damage, as his speech patterns are
incoherent. When Sera walks in her rented home and finds Ben with a
prostitute, she throws him out, and soon after that she gets raped and
beaten by a few of her clients. This makes her occupation obvious to
the home owners and the woman gets evicted. Following this, she
receives a call from Ben who is dying, and begs her to come see him.
When she comes to visit him, they have sex for the first time, and in
the morning Ben dies, holding sleeping Sera in his arms.
This film with a tragic ending demonstrates a clear example of chronic
alcoholism. During the film Ben was shown consuming alcohol
numerous times. After the intake he was experiencing a condition
called acute alcoholic intoxication. The individual manifestations of
this condition depended on many factors, such as the amount of
consumed alcohol, activity of enzymatic systems that break down the
substance, personality type, psychological, and physical condition. It
was visible, that alcohol consumption impaired Ben’s adequate
perception of reality, limited the volume of perceived information, and
reduced the rate of information processing. This was clear, when he
after being fired made an irrational decision of killing himself and
started burning all his possessions. At this point alcohol had
deteriorated Ben’s personal qualities of making wise decisions and
rationally planning out his actions. The main character of this film has
demonstrated various sides of his personality in relation to alcoholic
consumption. According to a psychological study of alcoholics it was
discovered that certain personalities are more inclined towards
alcoholism than others (Penick et al., 1999, p. 188). He continually
manifests his pedantic and vexatious qualities, as being under the
influence he becomes more communicative and relaxed, and attempts
seeking communication, firstly in the bar when he tries to pick up an
attractive girl, and secondly when he just met Sera and instead of
having sex, starts talking to her. It is clear that due to this anxiousness,
it important for Ben to consume alcohol in order to feel more relaxed
and have an easier time satisfying his communication need. The
viewer can precisely observe that depressive reactions (desire to kill
himself) are also very inherent to Ben’s personality, as being under the
influence often causes unhappy mood, gloomy thoughts, and sense of
despair. When the hero refused to stop drinking or see a doctor, his
hankering towards alcohol was becoming stronger. The metabolic
processes were becoming modified, and his organism tuned towards
constant intoxication was demanding its everyday dose. Ben was
suffering severe physical dependence, as his appetite for alcohol was
irresistible, and after another overdose he had a desire to satisfy his
hangover with another drink in order to quell unpleasant sensations.
The alcoholism portrayed in this film was probably nearing its final
third stage, as at the end when Sera demands Ben to see a doctor, he
does not have any control over his consumption, and shows visible
signs of abstinent syndrome. According to his speech, his brain had
suffered a severe intellectually mnestic disorder, as he cannot sustain a
conversation due to possible encephalopathy. It was demonstrated by
many authors that when over a period of time an individual consumes
large amounts of alcohol his blood alcohol concentrations (BACs). It
was also revealed that the alcohol exposure patterns affect peak BACs
and induce brain damage (Hannigan, Spear, Spear, & Goodlett, 1999,
p. 23). Another study focused on researching an alcohol induced
disease called hepatic encephalopathy, which is a brain disorder
caused by chronic failure of the liver. It is very common in alcoholics
who have cirrhosis and some of its results are impairments of
psychiatric, cognitive, and motor functions. The reduction of liver
cells due to cirrhosis causes the diversion of blood around the liver,
which leads to such toxins as ammonia and manganese to enter the
neural tissue and cause the damage of astrocytes (Butterworth, 2003).
At the end of the film Ben appears to demonstrate the above
symptoms of hepatic encephalopathy. At this stage the internal organs
are suffering irreversible alterations, such as cardiomyopathy in the
heart, and polyneuropathy in the nervous system which becomes
apparent through aches and abnormal walking pace. All of the above
consequences of this disease bring Ben Sanderson to a tragic end that
is very common among today’s chronic alcoholics.
As was mentioned earlier, the problem of alcoholism in general and
alcoholism as a disease is reflected in many modern art forms. One of
the films that vividly portray this issue is entitled “Leaving Las
Vegas”. This film is based on a cognominal novel by John O’Brien,
and is believed to be autobiographical to him, as this writer was a
hardcore alcoholic. The movie “Leaving Las Vegas” is actually
considered to be a memorial to this author, as it appears that two
weeks after the production had commenced, O’Brien had ended his
life, committing a suicide. Nicolas Cage stars in the role of Ben
Sanderson, who is an experienced alcoholic. His antisocial influence
on the people that surround him is not to be doubted. The director
draws a clear picture of a depressed alcoholic, whose ceaseless
drinking problem had caused him to loose everything and everyone,
including his family and his career as a Hollywood screenwriter. This
loss of social connections as material possessions is very common in
chronic alcoholics. His friend Peter is all he has left, and Ben meets
him at the restaurant in order to get some cash, so that he may have
enough to fulfill his plan of going to Las Vegas and drinking himself
to death. The desperate anti-social nature of an alcoholic is clearly
exemplified, when after meeting with his friend Peter he heads to a
bar, and performs a piteous attempt to pick up a girl that he likes, but
off course he fails. After being fired from his prestigious job the main
character proceeds to his house and makes a backyard bonfire, where
he burns all his material belongings, and heads to Las Vegas. This
illustrates his impaired psychological condition and inability to
soberly evaluate the situation due to constant alcoholic intoxication.
Having arrived in Vegas, Ben almost runs over a woman, who is in
just as hopeless state as he is, and will be his accompanying heroine in
the following part of the film. Being in the state of alcoholic
exhilaration the next day he finds that woman, who turns out to be a
prostitute, named Sera. Ben offers her $ 500 in order to come with
him, but instead of having sex with her, he starts talking to her, and
subsequently creates a strange relationship with this woman. They
attempt to build their relations on coming to terms with each other’s
problems. Sera never criticizes Ben’s drinking problem, and Ben
never mentions or makes remarks concerning Sera’s occupation.
However having lived like this for a while, both Sera and Ben become
frustrated with each other’s issues. Sera tries to get her partner to
submit to a healthier lifestyle, but he in his turn makes another false
step towards more alcohol consumption. When Sera is begging Ben to
see a doctor, Ben refuses to deal with this issue, and feeling angry
brings another woman – a prostitute back to Sera’s house. At this
point Ben demonstrates signs of severe substance intoxication, with
symptoms of possible brain damage, as his speech patterns are
incoherent. When Sera walks in her rented home and finds Ben with a
prostitute, she throws him out, and soon after that she gets raped and
beaten by a few of her clients. This makes her occupation obvious to
the home owners and the woman gets evicted. Following this, she
receives a call from Ben who is dying, and begs her to come see him.
When she comes to visit him, they have sex for the first time, and in
the morning Ben dies, holding sleeping Sera in his arms.
This film with a tragic ending demonstrates a clear example of chronic
alcoholism. During the film Ben was shown consuming alcohol
numerous times. After the intake he was experiencing a condition
called acute alcoholic intoxication. The individual manifestations of
this condition depended on many factors, such as the amount of
consumed alcohol, activity of enzymatic systems that break down the
substance, personality type, psychological, and physical condition. It
was visible, that alcohol consumption impaired Ben’s adequate
perception of reality, limited the volume of perceived information, and
reduced the rate of information processing. This was clear, when he
after being fired made an irrational decision of killing himself and
started burning all his possessions. At this point alcohol had
deteriorated Ben’s personal qualities of making wise decisions and
rationally planning out his actions. The main character of this film has
demonstrated various sides of his personality in relation to alcoholic
consumption. According to a psychological study of alcoholics it was
discovered that certain personalities are more inclined towards
alcoholism than others (Penick et al., 1999, p. 188). He continually
manifests his pedantic and vexatious qualities, as being under the
influence he becomes more communicative and relaxed, and attempts
seeking communication, firstly in the bar when he tries to pick up an
attractive girl, and secondly when he just met Sera and instead of
having sex, starts talking to her. It is clear that due to this anxiousness,
it important for Ben to consume alcohol in order to feel more relaxed
and have an easier time satisfying his communication need. The
viewer can precisely observe that depressive reactions (desire to kill
himself) are also very inherent to Ben’s personality, as being under the
influence often causes unhappy mood, gloomy thoughts, and sense of
despair. When the hero refused to stop drinking or see a doctor, his
hankering towards alcohol was becoming stronger. The metabolic
processes were becoming modified, and his organism tuned towards
constant intoxication was demanding its everyday dose. Ben was
suffering severe physical dependence, as his appetite for alcohol was
irresistible, and after another overdose he had a desire to satisfy his
hangover with another drink in order to quell unpleasant sensations.
The alcoholism portrayed in this film was probably nearing its final
third stage, as at the end when Sera demands Ben to see a doctor, he
does not have any control over his consumption, and shows visible
signs of abstinent syndrome. According to his speech, his brain had
suffered a severe intellectually mnestic disorder, as he cannot sustain a
conversation due to possible encephalopathy. It was demonstrated by
many authors that when over a period of time an individual consumes
large amounts of alcohol his blood alcohol concentrations (BACs). It
was also revealed that the alcohol exposure patterns affect peak BACs
and induce brain damage (Hannigan, Spear, Spear, & Goodlett, 1999,
p. 23). Another study focused on researching an alcohol induced
disease called hepatic encephalopathy, which is a brain disorder
caused by chronic failure of the liver. It is very common in alcoholics
who have cirrhosis and some of its results are impairments of
psychiatric, cognitive, and motor functions. The reduction of liver
cells due to cirrhosis causes the diversion of blood around the liver,
which leads to such toxins as ammonia and manganese to enter the
neural tissue and cause the damage of astrocytes (Butterworth, 2003).
At the end of the film Ben appears to demonstrate the above
symptoms of hepatic encephalopathy. At this stage the internal organs
are suffering irreversible alterations, such as cardiomyopathy in the
heart, and polyneuropathy in the nervous system which becomes
apparent through aches and abnormal walking pace. All of the above
consequences of this disease bring Ben Sanderson to a tragic end that
is very common among today’s chronic alcoholics.
As was mentioned earlier, the problem of alcoholism in general and
alcoholism as a disease is reflected in many modern art forms. One of
the films that vividly portray this issue is entitled “Leaving Las
Vegas”. This film is based on a cognominal novel by John O’Brien,
and is believed to be autobiographical to him, as this writer was a
hardcore alcoholic. The movie “Leaving Las Vegas” is actually
considered to be a memorial to this author, as it appears that two
weeks after the production had commenced, O’Brien had ended his
life, committing a suicide. Nicolas Cage stars in the role of Ben
Sanderson, who is an experienced alcoholic. His antisocial influence
on the people that surround him is not to be doubted. The director
draws a clear picture of a depressed alcoholic, whose ceaseless
drinking problem had caused him to loose everything and everyone,
including his family and his career as a Hollywood screenwriter. This
loss of social connections as material possessions is very common in
chronic alcoholics. His friend Peter is all he has left, and Ben meets
him at the restaurant in order to get some cash, so that he may have
enough to fulfill his plan of going to Las Vegas and drinking himself
to death. The desperate anti-social nature of an alcoholic is clearly
exemplified, when after meeting with his friend Peter he heads to a
bar, and performs a piteous attempt to pick up a girl that he likes, but
off course he fails. After being fired from his prestigious job the main
character proceeds to his house and makes a backyard bonfire, where
he burns all his material belongings, and heads to Las Vegas. This
illustrates his impaired psychological condition and inability to
soberly evaluate the situation due to constant alcoholic intoxication.
Having arrived in Vegas, Ben almost runs over a woman, who is in
just as hopeless state as he is, and will be his accompanying heroine in
the following part of the film. Being in the state of alcoholic
exhilaration the next day he finds that woman, who turns out to be a
prostitute, named Sera. Ben offers her $ 500 in order to come with
him, but instead of having sex with her, he starts talking to her, and
subsequently creates a strange relationship with this woman. They
attempt to build their relations on coming to terms with each other’s
problems. Sera never criticizes Ben’s drinking problem, and Ben
never mentions or makes remarks concerning Sera’s occupation.
However having lived like this for a while, both Sera and Ben become
frustrated with each other’s issues. Sera tries to get her partner to
submit to a healthier lifestyle, but he in his turn makes another false
step towards more alcohol consumption. When Sera is begging Ben to
see a doctor, Ben refuses to deal with this issue, and feeling angry
brings another woman – a prostitute back to Sera’s house. At this
point Ben demonstrates signs of severe substance intoxication, with
symptoms of possible brain damage, as his speech patterns are
incoherent. When Sera walks in her rented home and finds Ben with a
prostitute, she throws him out, and soon after that she gets raped and
beaten by a few of her clients. This makes her occupation obvious to
the home owners and the woman gets evicted. Following this, she
receives a call from Ben who is dying, and begs her to come see him.
When she comes to visit him, they have sex for the first time, and in
the morning Ben dies, holding sleeping Sera in his arms.
This film with a tragic ending demonstrates a clear example of chronic
alcoholism. During the film Ben was shown consuming alcohol
numerous times. After the intake he was experiencing a condition
called acute alcoholic intoxication. The individual manifestations of
this condition depended on many factors, such as the amount of
consumed alcohol, activity of enzymatic systems that break down the
substance, personality type, psychological, and physical condition. It
was visible, that alcohol consumption impaired Ben’s adequate
perception of reality, limited the volume of perceived information, and
reduced the rate of information processing. This was clear, when he
after being fired made an irrational decision of killing himself and
started burning all his possessions. At this point alcohol had
deteriorated Ben’s personal qualities of making wise decisions and
rationally planning out his actions. The main character of this film has
demonstrated various sides of his personality in relation to alcoholic
consumption. According to a psychological study of alcoholics it was
discovered that certain personalities are more inclined towards
alcoholism than others (Penick et al., 1999, p. 188). He continually
manifests his pedantic and vexatious qualities, as being under the
influence he becomes more communicative and relaxed, and attempts
seeking communication, firstly in the bar when he tries to pick up an
attractive girl, and secondly when he just met Sera and instead of
having sex, starts talking to her. It is clear that due to this anxiousness,
it important for Ben to consume alcohol in order to feel more relaxed
and have an easier time satisfying his communication need. The
viewer can precisely observe that depressive reactions (desire to kill
himself) are also very inherent to Ben’s personality, as being under the
influence often causes unhappy mood, gloomy thoughts, and sense of
despair. When the hero refused to stop drinking or see a doctor, his
hankering towards alcohol was becoming stronger. The metabolic
processes were becoming modified, and his organism tuned towards
constant intoxication was demanding its everyday dose. Ben was
suffering severe physical dependence, as his appetite for alcohol was
irresistible, and after another overdose he had a desire to satisfy his
hangover with another drink in order to quell unpleasant sensations.
The alcoholism portrayed in this film was probably nearing its final
third stage, as at the end when Sera demands Ben to see a doctor, he
does not have any control over his consumption, and shows visible
signs of abstinent syndrome. According to his speech, his brain had
suffered a severe intellectually mnestic disorder, as he cannot sustain a
conversation due to possible encephalopathy. It was demonstrated by
many authors that when over a period of time an individual consumes
large amounts of alcohol his blood alcohol concentrations (BACs). It
was also revealed that the alcohol exposure patterns affect peak BACs
and induce brain damage (Hannigan, Spear, Spear, & Goodlett, 1999,
p. 23). Another study focused on researching an alcohol induced
disease called hepatic encephalopathy, which is a brain disorder
caused by chronic failure of the liver. It is very common in alcoholics
who have cirrhosis and some of its results are impairments of
psychiatric, cognitive, and motor functions. The reduction of liver
cells due to cirrhosis causes the diversion of blood around the liver,
which leads to such toxins as ammonia and manganese to enter the
neural tissue and cause the damage of astrocytes (Butterworth, 2003).
At the end of the film Ben appears to demonstrate the above
symptoms of hepatic encephalopathy. At this stage the internal organs
are suffering irreversible alterations, such as cardiomyopathy in the
heart, and polyneuropathy in the nervous system which becomes
apparent through aches and abnormal walking pace. All of the above
consequences of this disease bring Ben Sanderson to a tragic end that
is very common among today’s chronic alcoholics.
As was mentioned earlier, the problem of alcoholism in general and
alcoholism as a disease is reflected in many modern art forms. One of
the films that vividly portray this issue is entitled “Leaving Las
Vegas”. This film is based on a cognominal novel by John O’Brien,
and is believed to be autobiographical to him, as this writer was a
hardcore alcoholic. The movie “Leaving Las Vegas” is actually
considered to be a memorial to this author, as it appears that two
weeks after the production had commenced, O’Brien had ended his
life, committing a suicide. Nicolas Cage stars in the role of Ben
Sanderson, who is an experienced alcoholic. His antisocial influence
on the people that surround him is not to be doubted. The director
draws a clear picture of a depressed alcoholic, whose ceaseless
drinking problem had caused him to loose everything and everyone,
including his family and his career as a Hollywood screenwriter. This
loss of social connections as material possessions is very common in
chronic alcoholics. His friend Peter is all he has left, and Ben meets
him at the restaurant in order to get some cash, so that he may have
enough to fulfill his plan of going to Las Vegas and drinking himself
to death. The desperate anti-social nature of an alcoholic is clearly
exemplified, when after meeting with his friend Peter he heads to a
bar, and performs a piteous attempt to pick up a girl that he likes, but
off course he fails. After being fired from his prestigious job the main
character proceeds to his house and makes a backyard bonfire, where
he burns all his material belongings, and heads to Las Vegas. This
illustrates his impaired psychological condition and inability to
soberly evaluate the situation due to constant alcoholic intoxication.
Having arrived in Vegas, Ben almost runs over a woman, who is in
just as hopeless state as he is, and will be his accompanying heroine in
the following part of the film. Being in the state of alcoholic
exhilaration the next day he finds that woman, who turns out to be a
prostitute, named Sera. Ben offers her $ 500 in order to come with
him, but instead of having sex with her, he starts talking to her, and
subsequently creates a strange relationship with this woman. They
attempt to build their relations on coming to terms with each other’s
problems. Sera never criticizes Ben’s drinking problem, and Ben
never mentions or makes remarks concerning Sera’s occupation.
However having lived like this for a while, both Sera and Ben become
frustrated with each other’s issues. Sera tries to get her partner to
submit to a healthier lifestyle, but he in his turn makes another false
step towards more alcohol consumption. When Sera is begging Ben to
see a doctor, Ben refuses to deal with this issue, and feeling angry
brings another woman – a prostitute back to Sera’s house. At this
point Ben demonstrates signs of severe substance intoxication, with
symptoms of possible brain damage, as his speech patterns are
incoherent. When Sera walks in her rented home and finds Ben with a
prostitute, she throws him out, and soon after that she gets raped and
beaten by a few of her clients. This makes her occupation obvious to
the home owners and the woman gets evicted. Following this, she
receives a call from Ben who is dying, and begs her to come see him.
When she comes to visit him, they have sex for the first time, and in
the morning Ben dies, holding sleeping Sera in his arms.
This film with a tragic ending demonstrates a clear example of chronic
alcoholism. During the film Ben was shown consuming alcohol
numerous times. After the intake he was experiencing a condition
called acute alcoholic intoxication. The individual manifestations of
this condition depended on many factors, such as the amount of
consumed alcohol, activity of enzymatic systems that break down the
substance, personality type, psychological, and physical condition. It
was visible, that alcohol consumption impaired Ben’s adequate
perception of reality, limited the volume of perceived information, and
reduced the rate of information processing. This was clear, when he
after being fired made an irrational decision of killing himself and
started burning all his possessions. At this point alcohol had
deteriorated Ben’s personal qualities of making wise decisions and
rationally planning out his actions. The main character of this film has
demonstrated various sides of his personality in relation to alcoholic
consumption. According to a psychological study of alcoholics it was
discovered that certain personalities are more inclined towards
alcoholism than others (Penick et al., 1999, p. 188). He continually
manifests his pedantic and vexatious qualities, as being under the
influence he becomes more communicative and relaxed, and attempts
seeking communication, firstly in the bar when he tries to pick up an
attractive girl, and secondly when he just met Sera and instead of
having sex, starts talking to her. It is clear that due to this anxiousness,
it important for Ben to consume alcohol in order to feel more relaxed
and have an easier time satisfying his communication need. The
viewer can precisely observe that depressive reactions (desire to kill
himself) are also very inherent to Ben’s personality, as being under the
influence often causes unhappy mood, gloomy thoughts, and sense of
despair. When the hero refused to stop drinking or see a doctor, his
hankering towards alcohol was becoming stronger. The metabolic
processes were becoming modified, and his organism tuned towards
constant intoxication was demanding its everyday dose. Ben was
suffering severe physical dependence, as his appetite for alcohol was
irresistible, and after another overdose he had a desire to satisfy his
hangover with another drink in order to quell unpleasant sensations.
The alcoholism portrayed in this film was probably nearing its final
third stage, as at the end when Sera demands Ben to see a doctor, he
does not have any control over his consumption, and shows visible
signs of abstinent syndrome. According to his speech, his brain had
suffered a severe intellectually mnestic disorder, as he cannot sustain a
conversation due to possible encephalopathy. It was demonstrated by
many authors that when over a period of time an individual consumes
large amounts of alcohol his blood alcohol concentrations (BACs). It
was also revealed that the alcohol exposure patterns affect peak BACs
and induce brain damage (Hannigan, Spear, Spear, & Goodlett, 1999,
p. 23). Another study focused on researching an alcohol induced
disease called hepatic encephalopathy, which is a brain disorder
caused by chronic failure of the liver. It is very common in alcoholics
who have cirrhosis and some of its results are impairments of
psychiatric, cognitive, and motor functions. The reduction of liver
cells due to cirrhosis causes the diversion of blood around the liver,
which leads to such toxins as ammonia and manganese to enter the
neural tissue and cause the damage of astrocytes (Butterworth, 2003).
At the end of the film Ben appears to demonstrate the above
symptoms of hepatic encephalopathy. At this stage the internal organs
are suffering irreversible alterations, such as cardiomyopathy in the
heart, and polyneuropathy in the nervous system which becomes
apparent through aches and abnormal walking pace. All of the above
consequences of this disease bring Ben Sanderson to a tragic end that
is very common among today’s chronic alcoholics.
As was mentioned earlier, the problem of alcoholism in general and
alcoholism as a disease is reflected in many modern art forms. One of
the films that vividly portray this issue is entitled “Leaving Las
Vegas”. This film is based on a cognominal novel by John O’Brien,
and is believed to be autobiographical to him, as this writer was a
hardcore alcoholic. The movie “Leaving Las Vegas” is actually
considered to be a memorial to this author, as it appears that two
weeks after the production had commenced, O’Brien had ended his
life, committing a suicide. Nicolas Cage stars in the role of Ben
Sanderson, who is an experienced alcoholic. His antisocial influence
on the people that surround him is not to be doubted. The director
draws a clear picture of a depressed alcoholic, whose ceaseless
drinking problem had caused him to loose everything and everyone,
including his family and his career as a Hollywood screenwriter. This
loss of social connections as material possessions is very common in
chronic alcoholics. His friend Peter is all he has left, and Ben meets
him at the restaurant in order to get some cash, so that he may have
enough to fulfill his plan of going to Las Vegas and drinking himself
to death. The desperate anti-social nature of an alcoholic is clearly
exemplified, when after meeting with his friend Peter he heads to a
bar, and performs a piteous attempt to pick up a girl that he likes, but
off course he fails. After being fired from his prestigious job the main
character proceeds to his house and makes a backyard bonfire, where
he burns all his material belongings, and heads to Las Vegas. This
illustrates his impaired psychological condition and inability to
soberly evaluate the situation due to constant alcoholic intoxication.
Having arrived in Vegas, Ben almost runs over a woman, who is in
just as hopeless state as he is, and will be his accompanying heroine in
the following part of the film. Being in the state of alcoholic
exhilaration the next day he finds that woman, who turns out to be a
prostitute, named Sera. Ben offers her $ 500 in order to come with
him, but instead of having sex with her, he starts talking to her, and
subsequently creates a strange relationship with this woman. They
attempt to build their relations on coming to terms with each other’s
problems. Sera never criticizes Ben’s drinking problem, and Ben
never mentions or makes remarks concerning Sera’s occupation.
However having lived like this for a while, both Sera and Ben become
frustrated with each other’s issues. Sera tries to get her partner to
submit to a healthier lifestyle, but he in his turn makes another false
step towards more alcohol consumption. When Sera is begging Ben to
see a doctor, Ben refuses to deal with this issue, and feeling angry
brings another woman – a prostitute back to Sera’s house. At this
point Ben demonstrates signs of severe substance intoxication, with
symptoms of possible brain damage, as his speech patterns are
incoherent. When Sera walks in her rented home and finds Ben with a
prostitute, she throws him out, and soon after that she gets raped and
beaten by a few of her clients. This makes her occupation obvious to
the home owners and the woman gets evicted. Following this, she
receives a call from Ben who is dying, and begs her to come see him.
When she comes to visit him, they have sex for the first time, and in
the morning Ben dies, holding sleeping Sera in his arms.
This film with a tragic ending demonstrates a clear example of chronic
alcoholism. During the film Ben was shown consuming alcohol
numerous times. After the intake he was experiencing a condition
called acute alcoholic intoxication. The individual manifestations of
this condition depended on many factors, such as the amount of
consumed alcohol, activity of enzymatic systems that break down the
substance, personality type, psychological, and physical condition. It
was visible, that alcohol consumption impaired Ben’s adequate
perception of reality, limited the volume of perceived information, and
reduced the rate of information processing. This was clear, when he
after being fired made an irrational decision of killing himself and
started burning all his possessions. At this point alcohol had
deteriorated Ben’s personal qualities of making wise decisions and
rationally planning out his actions. The main character of this film has
demonstrated various sides of his personality in relation to alcoholic
consumption. According to a psychological study of alcoholics it was
discovered that certain personalities are more inclined towards
alcoholism than others (Penick et al., 1999, p. 188). He continually
manifests his pedantic and vexatious qualities, as being under the
influence he becomes more communicative and relaxed, and attempts
seeking communication, firstly in the bar when he tries to pick up an
attractive girl, and secondly when he just met Sera and instead of
having sex, starts talking to her. It is clear that due to this anxiousness,
it important for Ben to consume alcohol in order to feel more relaxed
and have an easier time satisfying his communication need. The
viewer can precisely observe that depressive reactions (desire to kill
himself) are also very inherent to Ben’s personality, as being under the
influence often causes unhappy mood, gloomy thoughts, and sense of
despair. When the hero refused to stop drinking or see a doctor, his
hankering towards alcohol was becoming stronger. The metabolic
processes were becoming modified, and his organism tuned towards
constant intoxication was demanding its everyday dose. Ben was
suffering severe physical dependence, as his appetite for alcohol was
irresistible, and after another overdose he had a desire to satisfy his
hangover with another drink in order to quell unpleasant sensations.
The alcoholism portrayed in this film was probably nearing its final
third stage, as at the end when Sera demands Ben to see a doctor, he
does not have any control over his consumption, and shows visible
signs of abstinent syndrome. According to his speech, his brain had
suffered a severe intellectually mnestic disorder, as he cannot sustain a
conversation due to possible encephalopathy. It was demonstrated by
many authors that when over a period of time an individual consumes
large amounts of alcohol his blood alcohol concentrations (BACs). It
was also revealed that the alcohol exposure patterns affect peak BACs
and induce brain damage (Hannigan, Spear, Spear, & Goodlett, 1999,
p. 23). Another study focused on researching an alcohol induced
disease called hepatic encephalopathy, which is a brain disorder
caused by chronic failure of the liver. It is very common in alcoholics
who have cirrhosis and some of its results are impairments of
psychiatric, cognitive, and motor functions. The reduction of liver
cells due to cirrhosis causes the diversion of blood around the liver,
which leads to such toxins as ammonia and manganese to enter the
neural tissue and cause the damage of astrocytes (Butterworth, 2003).
At the end of the film Ben appears to demonstrate the above
symptoms of hepatic encephalopathy. At this stage the internal organs
are suffering irreversible alterations, such as cardiomyopathy in the
heart, and polyneuropathy in the nervous system which becomes
apparent through aches and abnormal walking pace. All of the above
consequences of this disease bring Ben Sanderson to a tragic end that
is very common among today’s chronic alcoholics.
As was mentioned earlier, the problem of alcoholism in general and
alcoholism as a disease is reflected in many modern art forms. One of
the films that vividly portray this issue is entitled “Leaving Las
Vegas”. This film is based on a cognominal novel by John O’Brien,
and is believed to be autobiographical to him, as this writer was a
hardcore alcoholic. The movie “Leaving Las Vegas” is actually
considered to be a memorial to this author, as it appears that two
weeks after the production had commenced, O’Brien had ended his
life, committing a suicide. Nicolas Cage stars in the role of Ben
Sanderson, who is an experienced alcoholic. His antisocial influence
on the people that surround him is not to be doubted. The director
draws a clear picture of a depressed alcoholic, whose ceaseless
drinking problem had caused him to loose everything and everyone,
including his family and his career as a Hollywood screenwriter. This
loss of social connections as material possessions is very common in
chronic alcoholics. His friend Peter is all he has left, and Ben meets
him at the restaurant in order to get some cash, so that he may have
enough to fulfill his plan of going to Las Vegas and drinking himself
to death. The desperate anti-social nature of an alcoholic is clearly
exemplified, when after meeting with his friend Peter he heads to a
bar, and performs a piteous attempt to pick up a girl that he likes, but
off course he fails. After being fired from his prestigious job the main
character proceeds to his house and makes a backyard bonfire, where
he burns all his material belongings, and heads to Las Vegas. This
illustrates his impaired psychological condition and inability to
soberly evaluate the situation due to constant alcoholic intoxication.
Having arrived in Vegas, Ben almost runs over a woman, who is in
just as hopeless state as he is, and will be his accompanying heroine in
the following part of the film. Being in the state of alcoholic
exhilaration the next day he finds that woman, who turns out to be a
prostitute, named Sera. Ben offers her $ 500 in order to come with
him, but instead of having sex with her, he starts talking to her, and
subsequently creates a strange relationship with this woman. They
attempt to build their relations on coming to terms with each other’s
problems. Sera never criticizes Ben’s drinking problem, and Ben
never mentions or makes remarks concerning Sera’s occupation.
However having lived like this for a while, both Sera and Ben become
frustrated with each other’s issues. Sera tries to get her partner to
submit to a healthier lifestyle, but he in his turn makes another false
step towards more alcohol consumption. When Sera is begging Ben to
see a doctor, Ben refuses to deal with this issue, and feeling angry
brings another woman – a prostitute back to Sera’s house. At this
point Ben demonstrates signs of severe substance intoxication, with
symptoms of possible brain damage, as his speech patterns are
incoherent. When Sera walks in her rented home and finds Ben with a
prostitute, she throws him out, and soon after that she gets raped and
beaten by a few of her clients. This makes her occupation obvious to
the home owners and the woman gets evicted. Following this, she
receives a call from Ben who is dying, and begs her to come see him.
When she comes to visit him, they have sex for the first time, and in
the morning Ben dies, holding sleeping Sera in his arms.
This film with a tragic ending demonstrates a clear example of chronic
alcoholism. During the film Ben was shown consuming alcohol
numerous times. After the intake he was experiencing a condition
called acute alcoholic intoxication. The individual manifestations of
this condition depended on many factors, such as the amount of
consumed alcohol, activity of enzymatic systems that break down the
substance, personality type, psychological, and physical condition. It
was visible, that alcohol consumption impaired Ben’s adequate
perception of reality, limited the volume of perceived information, and
reduced the rate of information processing. This was clear, when he
after being fired made an irrational decision of killing himself and
started burning all his possessions. At this point alcohol had
deteriorated Ben’s personal qualities of making wise decisions and
rationally planning out his actions. The main character of this film has
demonstrated various sides of his personality in relation to alcoholic
consumption. According to a psychological study of alcoholics it was
discovered that certain personalities are more inclined towards
alcoholism than others (Penick et al., 1999, p. 188). He continually
manifests his pedantic and vexatious qualities, as being under the
influence he becomes more communicative and relaxed, and attempts
seeking communication, firstly in the bar when he tries to pick up an
attractive girl, and secondly when he just met Sera and instead of
having sex, starts talking to her. It is clear that due to this anxiousness,
it important for Ben to consume alcohol in order to feel more relaxed
and have an easier time satisfying his communication need. The
viewer can precisely observe that depressive reactions (desire to kill
himself) are also very inherent to Ben’s personality, as being under the
influence often causes unhappy mood, gloomy thoughts, and sense of
despair. When the hero refused to stop drinking or see a doctor, his
hankering towards alcohol was becoming stronger. The metabolic
processes were becoming modified, and his organism tuned towards
constant intoxication was demanding its everyday dose. Ben was
suffering severe physical dependence, as his appetite for alcohol was
irresistible, and after another overdose he had a desire to satisfy his
hangover with another drink in order to quell unpleasant sensations.
The alcoholism portrayed in this film was probably nearing its final
third stage, as at the end when Sera demands Ben to see a doctor, he
does not have any control over his consumption, and shows visible
signs of abstinent syndrome. According to his speech, his brain had
suffered a severe intellectually mnestic disorder, as he cannot sustain a
conversation due to possible encephalopathy. It was demonstrated by
many authors that when over a period of time an individual consumes
large amounts of alcohol his blood alcohol concentrations (BACs). It
was also revealed that the alcohol exposure patterns affect peak BACs
and induce brain damage (Hannigan, Spear, Spear, & Goodlett, 1999,
p. 23). Another study focused on researching an alcohol induced
disease called hepatic encephalopathy, which is a brain disorder
caused by chronic failure of the liver. It is very common in alcoholics
who have cirrhosis and some of its results are impairments of
psychiatric, cognitive, and motor functions. The reduction of liver
cells due to cirrhosis causes the diversion of blood around the liver,
which leads to such toxins as ammonia and manganese to enter the
neural tissue and cause the damage of astrocytes (Butterworth, 2003).
At the end of the film Ben appears to demonstrate the above
symptoms of hepatic encephalopathy. At this stage the internal organs
are suffering irreversible alterations, such as cardiomyopathy in the
heart, and polyneuropathy in the nervous system which becomes
apparent through aches and abnormal walking pace. All of the above
consequences of this disease bring Ben Sanderson to a tragic end that
is very common among today’s chronic alcoholics.
As was mentioned earlier, the problem of alcoholism in general and
alcoholism as a disease is reflected in many modern art forms. One of
the films that vividly portray this issue is entitled “Leaving Las
Vegas”. This film is based on a cognominal novel by John O’Brien,
and is believed to be autobiographical to him, as this writer was a
hardcore alcoholic. The movie “Leaving Las Vegas” is actually
considered to be a memorial to this author, as it appears that two
weeks after the production had commenced, O’Brien had ended his
life, committing a suicide. Nicolas Cage stars in the role of Ben
Sanderson, who is an experienced alcoholic. His antisocial influence
on the people that surround him is not to be doubted. The director
draws a clear picture of a depressed alcoholic, whose ceaseless
drinking problem had caused him to loose everything and everyone,
including his family and his career as a Hollywood screenwriter. This
loss of social connections as material possessions is very common in
chronic alcoholics. His friend Peter is all he has left, and Ben meets
him at the restaurant in order to get some cash, so that he may have
enough to fulfill his plan of going to Las Vegas and drinking himself
to death. The desperate anti-social nature of an alcoholic is clearly
exemplified, when after meeting with his friend Peter he heads to a
bar, and performs a piteous attempt to pick up a girl that he likes, but
off course he fails. After being fired from his prestigious job the main
character proceeds to his house and makes a backyard bonfire, where
he burns all his material belongings, and heads to Las Vegas. This
illustrates his impaired psychological condition and inability to
soberly evaluate the situation due to constant alcoholic intoxication.
Having arrived in Vegas, Ben almost runs over a woman, who is in
just as hopeless state as he is, and will be his accompanying heroine in
the following part of the film. Being in the state of alcoholic
exhilaration the next day he finds that woman, who turns out to be a
prostitute, named Sera. Ben offers her $ 500 in order to come with
him, but instead of having sex with her, he starts talking to her, and
subsequently creates a strange relationship with this woman. They
attempt to build their relations on coming to terms with each other’s
problems. Sera never criticizes Ben’s drinking problem, and Ben
never mentions or makes remarks concerning Sera’s occupation.
However having lived like this for a while, both Sera and Ben become
frustrated with each other’s issues. Sera tries to get her partner to
submit to a healthier lifestyle, but he in his turn makes another false
step towards more alcohol consumption. When Sera is begging Ben to
see a doctor, Ben refuses to deal with this issue, and feeling angry
brings another woman – a prostitute back to Sera’s house. At this
point Ben demonstrates signs of severe substance intoxication, with
symptoms of possible brain damage, as his speech patterns are
incoherent. When Sera walks in her rented home and finds Ben with a
prostitute, she throws him out, and soon after that she gets raped and
beaten by a few of her clients. This makes her occupation obvious to
the home owners and the woman gets evicted. Following this, she
receives a call from Ben who is dying, and begs her to come see him.
When she comes to visit him, they have sex for the first time, and in
the morning Ben dies, holding sleeping Sera in his arms.
This film with a tragic ending demonstrates a clear example of chronic
alcoholism. During the film Ben was shown consuming alcohol
numerous times. After the intake he was experiencing a condition
called acute alcoholic intoxication. The individual manifestations of
this condition depended on many factors, such as the amount of
consumed alcohol, activity of enzymatic systems that break down the
substance, personality type, psychological, and physical condition. It
was visible, that alcohol consumption impaired Ben’s adequate
perception of reality, limited the volume of perceived information, and
reduced the rate of information processing. This was clear, when he
after being fired made an irrational decision of killing himself and
started burning all his possessions. At this point alcohol had
deteriorated Ben’s personal qualities of making wise decisions and
rationally planning out his actions. The main character of this film has
demonstrated various sides of his personality in relation to alcoholic
consumption. According to a psychological study of alcoholics it was
discovered that certain personalities are more inclined towards
alcoholism than others (Penick et al., 1999, p. 188). He continually
manifests his pedantic and vexatious qualities, as being under the
influence he becomes more communicative and relaxed, and attempts
seeking communication, firstly in the bar when he tries to pick up an
attractive girl, and secondly when he just met Sera and instead of
having sex, starts talking to her. It is clear that due to this anxiousness,
it important for Ben to consume alcohol in order to feel more relaxed
and have an easier time satisfying his communication need. The
viewer can precisely observe that depressive reactions (desire to kill
himself) are also very inherent to Ben’s personality, as being under the
influence often causes unhappy mood, gloomy thoughts, and sense of
despair. When the hero refused to stop drinking or see a doctor, his
hankering towards alcohol was becoming stronger. The metabolic
processes were becoming modified, and his organism tuned towards
constant intoxication was demanding its everyday dose. Ben was
suffering severe physical dependence, as his appetite for alcohol was
irresistible, and after another overdose he had a desire to satisfy his
hangover with another drink in order to quell unpleasant sensations.
The alcoholism portrayed in this film was probably nearing its final
third stage, as at the end when Sera demands Ben to see a doctor, he
does not have any control over his consumption, and shows visible
signs of abstinent syndrome. According to his speech, his brain had
suffered a severe intellectually mnestic disorder, as he cannot sustain a
conversation due to possible encephalopathy. It was demonstrated by
many authors that when over a period of time an individual consumes
large amounts of alcohol his blood alcohol concentrations (BACs). It
was also revealed that the alcohol exposure patterns affect peak BACs
and induce brain damage (Hannigan, Spear, Spear, & Goodlett, 1999,
p. 23). Another study focused on researching an alcohol induced
disease called hepatic encephalopathy, which is a brain disorder
caused by chronic failure of the liver. It is very common in alcoholics
who have cirrhosis and some of its results are impairments of
psychiatric, cognitive, and motor functions. The reduction of liver
cells due to cirrhosis causes the diversion of blood around the liver,
which leads to such toxins as ammonia and manganese to enter the
neural tissue and cause the damage of astrocytes (Butterworth, 2003).
At the end of the film Ben appears to demonstrate the above
symptoms of hepatic encephalopathy. At this stage the internal organs
are suffering irreversible alterations, such as cardiomyopathy in the
heart, and polyneuropathy in the nervous system which becomes
apparent through aches and abnormal walking pace. All of the above
consequences of this disease bring Ben Sanderson to a tragic end that
is very common among today’s chronic alcoholics.
As was mentioned earlier, the problem of alcoholism in general and
alcoholism as a disease is reflected in many modern art forms. One of
the films that vividly portray this issue is entitled “Leaving Las
Vegas”. This film is based on a cognominal novel by John O’Brien,
and is believed to be autobiographical to him, as this writer was a
hardcore alcoholic. The movie “Leaving Las Vegas” is actually
considered to be a memorial to this author, as it appears that two
weeks after the production had commenced, O’Brien had ended his
life, committing a suicide. Nicolas Cage stars in the role of Ben
Sanderson, who is an experienced alcoholic. His antisocial influence
on the people that surround him is not to be doubted. The director
draws a clear picture of a depressed alcoholic, whose ceaseless
drinking problem had caused him to loose everything and everyone,
including his family and his career as a Hollywood screenwriter. This
loss of social connections as material possessions is very common in
chronic alcoholics. His friend Peter is all he has left, and Ben meets
him at the restaurant in order to get some cash, so that he may have
enough to fulfill his plan of going to Las Vegas and drinking himself
to death. The desperate anti-social nature of an alcoholic is clearly
exemplified, when after meeting with his friend Peter he heads to a
bar, and performs a piteous attempt to pick up a girl that he likes, but
off course he fails. After being fired from his prestigious job the main
character proceeds to his house and makes a backyard bonfire, where
he burns all his material belongings, and heads to Las Vegas. This
illustrates his impaired psychological condition and inability to
soberly evaluate the situation due to constant alcoholic intoxication.
Having arrived in Vegas, Ben almost runs over a woman, who is in
just as hopeless state as he is, and will be his accompanying heroine in
the following part of the film. Being in the state of alcoholic
exhilaration the next day he finds that woman, who turns out to be a
prostitute, named Sera. Ben offers her $ 500 in order to come with
him, but instead of having sex with her, he starts talking to her, and
subsequently creates a strange relationship with this woman. They
attempt to build their relations on coming to terms with each other’s
problems. Sera never criticizes Ben’s drinking problem, and Ben
never mentions or makes remarks concerning Sera’s occupation.
However having lived like this for a while, both Sera and Ben become
frustrated with each other’s issues. Sera tries to get her partner to
submit to a healthier lifestyle, but he in his turn makes another false
step towards more alcohol consumption. When Sera is begging Ben to
see a doctor, Ben refuses to deal with this issue, and feeling angry
brings another woman – a prostitute back to Sera’s house. At this
point Ben demonstrates signs of severe substance intoxication, with
symptoms of possible brain damage, as his speech patterns are
incoherent. When Sera walks in her rented home and finds Ben with a
prostitute, she throws him out, and soon after that she gets raped and
beaten by a few of her clients. This makes her occupation obvious to
the home owners and the woman gets evicted. Following this, she
receives a call from Ben who is dying, and begs her to come see him.
When she comes to visit him, they have sex for the first time, and in
the morning Ben dies, holding sleeping Sera in his arms.
This film with a tragic ending demonstrates a clear example of chronic
alcoholism. During the film Ben was shown consuming alcohol
numerous times. After the intake he was experiencing a condition
called acute alcoholic intoxication. The individual manifestations of
this condition depended on many factors, such as the amount of
consumed alcohol, activity of enzymatic systems that break down the
substance, personality type, psychological, and physical condition. It
was visible, that alcohol consumption impaired Ben’s adequate
perception of reality, limited the volume of perceived information, and
reduced the rate of information processing. This was clear, when he
after being fired made an irrational decision of killing himself and
started burning all his possessions. At this point alcohol had
deteriorated Ben’s personal qualities of making wise decisions and
rationally planning out his actions. The main character of this film has
demonstrated various sides of his personality in relation to alcoholic
consumption. According to a psychological study of alcoholics it was
discovered that certain personalities are more inclined towards
alcoholism than others (Penick et al., 1999, p. 188). He continually
manifests his pedantic and vexatious qualities, as being under the
influence he becomes more communicative and relaxed, and attempts
seeking communication, firstly in the bar when he tries to pick up an
attractive girl, and secondly when he just met Sera and instead of
having sex, starts talking to her. It is clear that due to this anxiousness,
it important for Ben to consume alcohol in order to feel more relaxed
and have an easier time satisfying his communication need. The
viewer can precisely observe that depressive reactions (desire to kill
himself) are also very inherent to Ben’s personality, as being under the
influence often causes unhappy mood, gloomy thoughts, and sense of
despair. When the hero refused to stop drinking or see a doctor, his
hankering towards alcohol was becoming stronger. The metabolic
processes were becoming modified, and his organism tuned towards
constant intoxication was demanding its everyday dose. Ben was
suffering severe physical dependence, as his appetite for alcohol was
irresistible, and after another overdose he had a desire to satisfy his
hangover with another drink in order to quell unpleasant sensations.
The alcoholism portrayed in this film was probably nearing its final
third stage, as at the end when Sera demands Ben to see a doctor, he
does not have any control over his consumption, and shows visible
signs of abstinent syndrome. According to his speech, his brain had
suffered a severe intellectually mnestic disorder, as he cannot sustain a
conversation due to possible encephalopathy. It was demonstrated by
many authors that when over a period of time an individual consumes
large amounts of alcohol his blood alcohol concentrations (BACs). It
was also revealed that the alcohol exposure patterns affect peak BACs
and induce brain damage (Hannigan, Spear, Spear, & Goodlett, 1999,
p. 23). Another study focused on researching an alcohol induced
disease called hepatic encephalopathy, which is a brain disorder
caused by chronic failure of the liver. It is very common in alcoholics
who have cirrhosis and some of its results are impairments of
psychiatric, cognitive, and motor functions. The reduction of liver
cells due to cirrhosis causes the diversion of blood around the liver,
which leads to such toxins as ammonia and manganese to enter the
neural tissue and cause the damage of astrocytes (Butterworth, 2003).
At the end of the film Ben appears to demonstrate the above
symptoms of hepatic encephalopathy. At this stage the internal organs
are suffering irreversible alterations, such as cardiomyopathy in the
heart, and polyneuropathy in the nervous system which becomes
apparent through aches and abnormal walking pace. All of the above
consequences of this disease bring Ben Sanderson to a tragic end that
is very common among today’s chronic alcoholics.
As was mentioned earlier, the problem of alcoholism in general and
alcoholism as a disease is reflected in many modern art forms. One of
the films that vividly portray this issue is entitled “Leaving Las
Vegas”. This film is based on a cognominal novel by John O’Brien,
and is believed to be autobiographical to him, as this writer was a
hardcore alcoholic. The movie “Leaving Las Vegas” is actually
considered to be a memorial to this author, as it appears that two
weeks after the production had commenced, O’Brien had ended his
life, committing a suicide. Nicolas Cage stars in the role of Ben
Sanderson, who is an experienced alcoholic. His antisocial influence
on the people that surround him is not to be doubted. The director
draws a clear picture of a depressed alcoholic, whose ceaseless
drinking problem had caused him to loose everything and everyone,
including his family and his career as a Hollywood screenwriter. This
loss of social connections as material possessions is very common in
chronic alcoholics. His friend Peter is all he has left, and Ben meets
him at the restaurant in order to get some cash, so that he may have
enough to fulfill his plan of going to Las Vegas and drinking himself
to death. The desperate anti-social nature of an alcoholic is clearly
exemplified, when after meeting with his friend Peter he heads to a
bar, and performs a piteous attempt to pick up a girl that he likes, but
off course he fails. After being fired from his prestigious job the main
character proceeds to his house and makes a backyard bonfire, where
he burns all his material belongings, and heads to Las Vegas. This
illustrates his impaired psychological condition and inability to
soberly evaluate the situation due to constant alcoholic intoxication.
Having arrived in Vegas, Ben almost runs over a woman, who is in
just as hopeless state as he is, and will be his accompanying heroine in
the following part of the film. Being in the state of alcoholic
exhilaration the next day he finds that woman, who turns out to be a
prostitute, named Sera. Ben offers her $ 500 in order to come with
him, but instead of having sex with her, he starts talking to her, and
subsequently creates a strange relationship with this woman. They
attempt to build their relations on coming to terms with each other’s
problems. Sera never criticizes Ben’s drinking problem, and Ben
never mentions or makes remarks concerning Sera’s occupation.
However having lived like this for a while, both Sera and Ben become
frustrated with each other’s issues. Sera tries to get her partner to
submit to a healthier lifestyle, but he in his turn makes another false
step towards more alcohol consumption. When Sera is begging Ben to
see a doctor, Ben refuses to deal with this issue, and feeling angry
brings another woman – a prostitute back to Sera’s house. At this
point Ben demonstrates signs of severe substance intoxication, with
symptoms of possible brain damage, as his speech patterns are
incoherent. When Sera walks in her rented home and finds Ben with a
prostitute, she throws him out, and soon after that she gets raped and
beaten by a few of her clients. This makes her occupation obvious to
the home owners and the woman gets evicted. Following this, she
receives a call from Ben who is dying, and begs her to come see him.
When she comes to visit him, they have sex for the first time, and in
the morning Ben dies, holding sleeping Sera in his arms.
This film with a tragic ending demonstrates a clear example of chronic
alcoholism. During the film Ben was shown consuming alcohol
numerous times. After the intake he was experiencing a condition
called acute alcoholic intoxication. The individual manifestations of
this condition depended on many factors, such as the amount of
consumed alcohol, activity of enzymatic systems that break down the
substance, personality type, psychological, and physical condition. It
was visible, that alcohol consumption impaired Ben’s adequate
perception of reality, limited the volume of perceived information, and
reduced the rate of information processing. This was clear, when he
after being fired made an irrational decision of killing himself and
started burning all his possessions. At this point alcohol had
deteriorated Ben’s personal qualities of making wise decisions and
rationally planning out his actions. The main character of this film has
demonstrated various sides of his personality in relation to alcoholic
consumption. According to a psychological study of alcoholics it was
discovered that certain personalities are more inclined towards
alcoholism than others (Penick et al., 1999, p. 188). He continually
manifests his pedantic and vexatious qualities, as being under the
influence he becomes more communicative and relaxed, and attempts
seeking communication, firstly in the bar when he tries to pick up an
attractive girl, and secondly when he just met Sera and instead of
having sex, starts talking to her. It is clear that due to this anxiousness,
it important for Ben to consume alcohol in order to feel more relaxed
and have an easier time satisfying his communication need. The
viewer can precisely observe that depressive reactions (desire to kill
himself) are also very inherent to Ben’s personality, as being under the
influence often causes unhappy mood, gloomy thoughts, and sense of
despair. When the hero refused to stop drinking or see a doctor, his
hankering towards alcohol was becoming stronger. The metabolic
processes were becoming modified, and his organism tuned towards
constant intoxication was demanding its everyday dose. Ben was
suffering severe physical dependence, as his appetite for alcohol was
irresistible, and after another overdose he had a desire to satisfy his
hangover with another drink in order to quell unpleasant sensations.
The alcoholism portrayed in this film was probably nearing its final
third stage, as at the end when Sera demands Ben to see a doctor, he
does not have any control over his consumption, and shows visible
signs of abstinent syndrome. According to his speech, his brain had
suffered a severe intellectually mnestic disorder, as he cannot sustain a
conversation due to possible encephalopathy. It was demonstrated by
many authors that when over a period of time an individual consumes
large amounts of alcohol his blood alcohol concentrations (BACs). It
was also revealed that the alcohol exposure patterns affect peak BACs
and induce brain damage (Hannigan, Spear, Spear, & Goodlett, 1999,
p. 23). Another study focused on researching an alcohol induced
disease called hepatic encephalopathy, which is a brain disorder
caused by chronic failure of the liver. It is very common in alcoholics
who have cirrhosis and some of its results are impairments of
psychiatric, cognitive, and motor functions. The reduction of liver
cells due to cirrhosis causes the diversion of blood around the liver,
which leads to such toxins as ammonia and manganese to enter the
neural tissue and cause the damage of astrocytes (Butterworth, 2003).
At the end of the film Ben appears to demonstrate the above
symptoms of hepatic encephalopathy. At this stage the internal organs
are suffering irreversible alterations, such as cardiomyopathy in the
heart, and polyneuropathy in the nervous system which becomes
apparent through aches and abnormal walking pace. All of the above
consequences of this disease bring Ben Sanderson to a tragic end that
is very common among today’s chronic alcoholics.
As was mentioned earlier, the problem of alcoholism in general and
alcoholism as a disease is reflected in many modern art forms. One of
the films that vividly portray this issue is entitled “Leaving Las
Vegas”. This film is based on a cognominal novel by John O’Brien,
and is believed to be autobiographical to him, as this writer was a
hardcore alcoholic. The movie “Leaving Las Vegas” is actually
considered to be a memorial to this author, as it appears that two
weeks after the production had commenced, O’Brien had ended his
life, committing a suicide. Nicolas Cage stars in the role of Ben
Sanderson, who is an experienced alcoholic. His antisocial influence
on the people that surround him is not to be doubted. The director
draws a clear picture of a depressed alcoholic, whose ceaseless
drinking problem had caused him to loose everything and everyone,
including his family and his career as a Hollywood screenwriter. This
loss of social connections as material possessions is very common in
chronic alcoholics. His friend Peter is all he has left, and Ben meets
him at the restaurant in order to get some cash, so that he may have
enough to fulfill his plan of going to Las Vegas and drinking himself
to death. The desperate anti-social nature of an alcoholic is clearly
exemplified, when after meeting with his friend Peter he heads to a
bar, and performs a piteous attempt to pick up a girl that he likes, but
off course he fails. After being fired from his prestigious job the main
character proceeds to his house and makes a backyard bonfire, where
he burns all his material belongings, and heads to Las Vegas. This
illustrates his impaired psychological condition and inability to
soberly evaluate the situation due to constant alcoholic intoxication.
Having arrived in Vegas, Ben almost runs over a woman, who is in
just as hopeless state as he is, and will be his accompanying heroine in
the following part of the film. Being in the state of alcoholic
exhilaration the next day he finds that woman, who turns out to be a
prostitute, named Sera. Ben offers her $ 500 in order to come with
him, but instead of having sex with her, he starts talking to her, and
subsequently creates a strange relationship with this woman. They
attempt to build their relations on coming to terms with each other’s
problems. Sera never criticizes Ben’s drinking problem, and Ben
never mentions or makes remarks concerning Sera’s occupation.
However having lived like this for a while, both Sera and Ben become
frustrated with each other’s issues. Sera tries to get her partner to
submit to a healthier lifestyle, but he in his turn makes another false
step towards more alcohol consumption. When Sera is begging Ben to
see a doctor, Ben refuses to deal with this issue, and feeling angry
brings another woman – a prostitute back to Sera’s house. At this
point Ben demonstrates signs of severe substance intoxication, with
symptoms of possible brain damage, as his speech patterns are
incoherent. When Sera walks in her rented home and finds Ben with a
prostitute, she throws him out, and soon after that she gets raped and
beaten by a few of her clients. This makes her occupation obvious to
the home owners and the woman gets evicted. Following this, she
receives a call from Ben who is dying, and begs her to come see him.
When she comes to visit him, they have sex for the first time, and in
the morning Ben dies, holding sleeping Sera in his arms.
This film with a tragic ending demonstrates a clear example of chronic
alcoholism. During the film Ben was shown consuming alcohol
numerous times. After the intake he was experiencing a condition
called acute alcoholic intoxication. The individual manifestations of
this condition depended on many factors, such as the amount of
consumed alcohol, activity of enzymatic systems that break down the
substance, personality type, psychological, and physical condition. It
was visible, that alcohol consumption impaired Ben’s adequate
perception of reality, limited the volume of perceived information, and
reduced the rate of information processing. This was clear, when he
after being fired made an irrational decision of killing himself and
started burning all his possessions. At this point alcohol had
deteriorated Ben’s personal qualities of making wise decisions and
rationally planning out his actions. The main character of this film has
demonstrated various sides of his personality in relation to alcoholic
consumption. According to a psychological study of alcoholics it was
discovered that certain personalities are more inclined towards
alcoholism than others (Penick et al., 1999, p. 188). He continually
manifests his pedantic and vexatious qualities, as being under the
influence he becomes more communicative and relaxed, and attempts
seeking communication, firstly in the bar when he tries to pick up an
attractive girl, and secondly when he just met Sera and instead of
having sex, starts talking to her. It is clear that due to this anxiousness,
it important for Ben to consume alcohol in order to feel more relaxed
and have an easier time satisfying his communication need. The
viewer can precisely observe that depressive reactions (desire to kill
himself) are also very inherent to Ben’s personality, as being under the
influence often causes unhappy mood, gloomy thoughts, and sense of
despair. When the hero refused to stop drinking or see a doctor, his
hankering towards alcohol was becoming stronger. The metabolic
processes were becoming modified, and his organism tuned towards
constant intoxication was demanding its everyday dose. Ben was
suffering severe physical dependence, as his appetite for alcohol was
irresistible, and after another overdose he had a desire to satisfy his
hangover with another drink in order to quell unpleasant sensations.
The alcoholism portrayed in this film was probably nearing its final
third stage, as at the end when Sera demands Ben to see a doctor, he
does not have any control over his consumption, and shows visible
signs of abstinent syndrome. According to his speech, his brain had
suffered a severe intellectually mnestic disorder, as he cannot sustain a
conversation due to possible encephalopathy. It was demonstrated by
many authors that when over a period of time an individual consumes
large amounts of alcohol his blood alcohol concentrations (BACs). It
was also revealed that the alcohol exposure patterns affect peak BACs
and induce brain damage (Hannigan, Spear, Spear, & Goodlett, 1999,
p. 23). Another study focused on researching an alcohol induced
disease called hepatic encephalopathy, which is a brain disorder
caused by chronic failure of the liver. It is very common in alcoholics
who have cirrhosis and some of its results are impairments of
psychiatric, cognitive, and motor functions. The reduction of liver
cells due to cirrhosis causes the diversion of blood around the liver,
which leads to such toxins as ammonia and manganese to enter the
neural tissue and cause the damage of astrocytes (Butterworth, 2003).
At the end of the film Ben appears to demonstrate the above
symptoms of hepatic encephalopathy. At this stage the internal organs
are suffering irreversible alterations, such as cardiomyopathy in the
heart, and polyneuropathy in the nervous system which becomes
apparent through aches and abnormal walking pace. All of the above
consequences of this disease bring Ben Sanderson to a tragic end that
is very common among today’s chronic alcoholics.
As was mentioned earlier, the problem of alcoholism in general and
alcoholism as a disease is reflected in many modern art forms. One of
the films that vividly portray this issue is entitled “Leaving Las
Vegas”. This film is based on a cognominal novel by John O’Brien,
and is believed to be autobiographical to him, as this writer was a
hardcore alcoholic. The movie “Leaving Las Vegas” is actually
considered to be a memorial to this author, as it appears that two
weeks after the production had commenced, O’Brien had ended his
life, committing a suicide. Nicolas Cage stars in the role of Ben
Sanderson, who is an experienced alcoholic. His antisocial influence
on the people that surround him is not to be doubted. The director
draws a clear picture of a depressed alcoholic, whose ceaseless
drinking problem had caused him to loose everything and everyone,
including his family and his career as a Hollywood screenwriter. This
loss of social connections as material possessions is very common in
chronic alcoholics. His friend Peter is all he has left, and Ben meets
him at the restaurant in order to get some cash, so that he may have
enough to fulfill his plan of going to Las Vegas and drinking himself
to death. The desperate anti-social nature of an alcoholic is clearly
exemplified, when after meeting with his friend Peter he heads to a
bar, and performs a piteous attempt to pick up a girl that he likes, but
off course he fails. After being fired from his prestigious job the main
character proceeds to his house and makes a backyard bonfire, where
he burns all his material belongings, and heads to Las Vegas. This
illustrates his impaired psychological condition and inability to
soberly evaluate the situation due to constant alcoholic intoxication.
Having arrived in Vegas, Ben almost runs over a woman, who is in
just as hopeless state as he is, and will be his accompanying heroine in
the following part of the film. Being in the state of alcoholic
exhilaration the next day he finds that woman, who turns out to be a
prostitute, named Sera. Ben offers her $ 500 in order to come with
him, but instead of having sex with her, he starts talking to her, and
subsequently creates a strange relationship with this woman. They
attempt to build their relations on coming to terms with each other’s
problems. Sera never criticizes Ben’s drinking problem, and Ben
never mentions or makes remarks concerning Sera’s occupation.
However having lived like this for a while, both Sera and Ben become
frustrated with each other’s issues. Sera tries to get her partner to
submit to a healthier lifestyle, but he in his turn makes another false
step towards more alcohol consumption. When Sera is begging Ben to
see a doctor, Ben refuses to deal with this issue, and feeling angry
brings another woman – a prostitute back to Sera’s house. At this
point Ben demonstrates signs of severe substance intoxication, with
symptoms of possible brain damage, as his speech patterns are
incoherent. When Sera walks in her rented home and finds Ben with a
prostitute, she throws him out, and soon after that she gets raped and
beaten by a few of her clients. This makes her occupation obvious to
the home owners and the woman gets evicted. Following this, she
receives a call from Ben who is dying, and begs her to come see him.
When she comes to visit him, they have sex for the first time, and in
the morning Ben dies, holding sleeping Sera in his arms.
This film with a tragic ending demonstrates a clear example of chronic
alcoholism. During the film Ben was shown consuming alcohol
numerous times. After the intake he was experiencing a condition
called acute alcoholic intoxication. The individual manifestations of
this condition depended on many factors, such as the amount of
consumed alcohol, activity of enzymatic systems that break down the
substance, personality type, psychological, and physical condition. It
was visible, that alcohol consumption impaired Ben’s adequate
perception of reality, limited the volume of perceived information, and
reduced the rate of information processing. This was clear, when he
after being fired made an irrational decision of killing himself and
started burning all his possessions. At this point alcohol had
deteriorated Ben’s personal qualities of making wise decisions and
rationally planning out his actions. The main character of this film has
demonstrated various sides of his personality in relation to alcoholic
consumption. According to a psychological study of alcoholics it was
discovered that certain personalities are more inclined towards
alcoholism than others (Penick et al., 1999, p. 188). He continually
manifests his pedantic and vexatious qualities, as being under the
influence he becomes more communicative and relaxed, and attempts
seeking communication, firstly in the bar when he tries to pick up an
attractive girl, and secondly when he just met Sera and instead of
having sex, starts talking to her. It is clear that due to this anxiousness,
it important for Ben to consume alcohol in order to feel more relaxed
and have an easier time satisfying his communication need. The
viewer can precisely observe that depressive reactions (desire to kill
himself) are also very inherent to Ben’s personality, as being under the
influence often causes unhappy mood, gloomy thoughts, and sense of
despair. When the hero refused to stop drinking or see a doctor, his
hankering towards alcohol was becoming stronger. The metabolic
processes were becoming modified, and his organism tuned towards
constant intoxication was demanding its everyday dose. Ben was
suffering severe physical dependence, as his appetite for alcohol was
irresistible, and after another overdose he had a desire to satisfy his
hangover with another drink in order to quell unpleasant sensations.
The alcoholism portrayed in this film was probably nearing its final
third stage, as at the end when Sera demands Ben to see a doctor, he
does not have any control over his consumption, and shows visible
signs of abstinent syndrome. According to his speech, his brain had
suffered a severe intellectually mnestic disorder, as he cannot sustain a
conversation due to possible encephalopathy. It was demonstrated by
many authors that when over a period of time an individual consumes
large amounts of alcohol his blood alcohol concentrations (BACs). It
was also revealed that the alcohol exposure patterns affect peak BACs
and induce brain damage (Hannigan, Spear, Spear, & Goodlett, 1999,
p. 23). Another study focused on researching an alcohol induced
disease called hepatic encephalopathy, which is a brain disorder
caused by chronic failure of the liver. It is very common in alcoholics
who have cirrhosis and some of its results are impairments of
psychiatric, cognitive, and motor functions. The reduction of liver
cells due to cirrhosis causes the diversion of blood around the liver,
which leads to such toxins as ammonia and manganese to enter the
neural tissue and cause the damage of astrocytes (Butterworth, 2003).
At the end of the film Ben appears to demonstrate the above
symptoms of hepatic encephalopathy. At this stage the internal organs
are suffering irreversible alterations, such as cardiomyopathy in the
heart, and polyneuropathy in the nervous system which becomes
apparent through aches and abnormal walking pace. All of the above
consequences of this disease bring Ben Sanderson to a tragic end that
is very common among today’s chronic alcoholics.
As was mentioned earlier, the problem of alcoholism in general and
alcoholism as a disease is reflected in many modern art forms. One of
the films that vividly portray this issue is entitled “Leaving Las
Vegas”. This film is based on a cognominal novel by John O’Brien,
and is believed to be autobiographical to him, as this writer was a
hardcore alcoholic. The movie “Leaving Las Vegas” is actually
considered to be a memorial to this author, as it appears that two
weeks after the production had commenced, O’Brien had ended his
life, committing a suicide. Nicolas Cage stars in the role of Ben
Sanderson, who is an experienced alcoholic. His antisocial influence
on the people that surround him is not to be doubted. The director
draws a clear picture of a depressed alcoholic, whose ceaseless
drinking problem had caused him to loose everything and everyone,
including his family and his career as a Hollywood screenwriter. This
loss of social connections as material possessions is very common in
chronic alcoholics. His friend Peter is all he has left, and Ben meets
him at the restaurant in order to get some cash, so that he may have
enough to fulfill his plan of going to Las Vegas and drinking himself
to death. The desperate anti-social nature of an alcoholic is clearly
exemplified, when after meeting with his friend Peter he heads to a
bar, and performs a piteous attempt to pick up a girl that he likes, but
off course he fails. After being fired from his prestigious job the main
character proceeds to his house and makes a backyard bonfire, where
he burns all his material belongings, and heads to Las Vegas. This
illustrates his impaired psychological condition and inability to
soberly evaluate the situation due to constant alcoholic intoxication.
Having arrived in Vegas, Ben almost runs over a woman, who is in
just as hopeless state as he is, and will be his accompanying heroine in
the following part of the film. Being in the state of alcoholic
exhilaration the next day he finds that woman, who turns out to be a
prostitute, named Sera. Ben offers her $ 500 in order to come with
him, but instead of having sex with her, he starts talking to her, and
subsequently creates a strange relationship with this woman. They
attempt to build their relations on coming to terms with each other’s
problems. Sera never criticizes Ben’s drinking problem, and Ben
never mentions or makes remarks concerning Sera’s occupation.
However having lived like this for a while, both Sera and Ben become
frustrated with each other’s issues. Sera tries to get her partner to
submit to a healthier lifestyle, but he in his turn makes another false
step towards more alcohol consumption. When Sera is begging Ben to
see a doctor, Ben refuses to deal with this issue, and feeling angry
brings another woman – a prostitute back to Sera’s house. At this
point Ben demonstrates signs of severe substance intoxication, with
symptoms of possible brain damage, as his speech patterns are
incoherent. When Sera walks in her rented home and finds Ben with a
prostitute, she throws him out, and soon after that she gets raped and
beaten by a few of her clients. This makes her occupation obvious to
the home owners and the woman gets evicted. Following this, she
receives a call from Ben who is dying, and begs her to come see him.
When she comes to visit him, they have sex for the first time, and in
the morning Ben dies, holding sleeping Sera in his arms.
This film with a tragic ending demonstrates a clear example of chronic
alcoholism. During the film Ben was shown consuming alcohol
numerous times. After the intake he was experiencing a condition
called acute alcoholic intoxication. The individual manifestations of
this condition depended on many factors, such as the amount of
consumed alcohol, activity of enzymatic systems that break down the
substance, personality type, psychological, and physical condition. It
was visible, that alcohol consumption impaired Ben’s adequate
perception of reality, limited the volume of perceived information, and
reduced the rate of information processing. This was clear, when he
after being fired made an irrational decision of killing himself and
started burning all his possessions. At this point alcohol had
deteriorated Ben’s personal qualities of making wise decisions and
rationally planning out his actions. The main character of this film has
demonstrated various sides of his personality in relation to alcoholic
consumption. According to a psychological study of alcoholics it was
discovered that certain personalities are more inclined towards
alcoholism than others (Penick et al., 1999, p. 188). He continually
manifests his pedantic and vexatious qualities, as being under the
influence he becomes more communicative and relaxed, and attempts
seeking communication, firstly in the bar when he tries to pick up an
attractive girl, and secondly when he just met Sera and instead of
having sex, starts talking to her. It is clear that due to this anxiousness,
it important for Ben to consume alcohol in order to feel more relaxed
and have an easier time satisfying his communication need. The
viewer can precisely observe that depressive reactions (desire to kill
himself) are also very inherent to Ben’s personality, as being under the
influence often causes unhappy mood, gloomy thoughts, and sense of
despair. When the hero refused to stop drinking or see a doctor, his
hankering towards alcohol was becoming stronger. The metabolic
processes were becoming modified, and his organism tuned towards
constant intoxication was demanding its everyday dose. Ben was
suffering severe physical dependence, as his appetite for alcohol was
irresistible, and after another overdose he had a desire to satisfy his
hangover with another drink in order to quell unpleasant sensations.
The alcoholism portrayed in this film was probably nearing its final
third stage, as at the end when Sera demands Ben to see a doctor, he
does not have any control over his consumption, and shows visible
signs of abstinent syndrome. According to his speech, his brain had
suffered a severe intellectually mnestic disorder, as he cannot sustain a
conversation due to possible encephalopathy. It was demonstrated by
many authors that when over a period of time an individual consumes
large amounts of alcohol his blood alcohol concentrations (BACs). It
was also revealed that the alcohol exposure patterns affect peak BACs
and induce brain damage (Hannigan, Spear, Spear, & Goodlett, 1999,
p. 23). Another study focused on researching an alcohol induced
disease called hepatic encephalopathy, which is a brain disorder
caused by chronic failure of the liver. It is very common in alcoholics
who have cirrhosis and some of its results are impairments of
psychiatric, cognitive, and motor functions. The reduction of liver
cells due to cirrhosis causes the diversion of blood around the liver,
which leads to such toxins as ammonia and manganese to enter the
neural tissue and cause the damage of astrocytes (Butterworth, 2003).
At the end of the film Ben appears to demonstrate the above
symptoms of hepatic encephalopathy. At this stage the internal organs
are suffering irreversible alterations, such as cardiomyopathy in the
heart, and polyneuropathy in the nervous system which becomes
apparent through aches and abnormal walking pace. All of the above
consequences of this disease bring Ben Sanderson to a tragic end that
is very common among today’s chronic alcoholics.
As was mentioned earlier, the problem of alcoholism in general and
alcoholism as a disease is reflected in many modern art forms. One of
the films that vividly portray this issue is entitled “Leaving Las
Vegas”. This film is based on a cognominal novel by John O’Brien,
and is believed to be autobiographical to him, as this writer was a
hardcore alcoholic. The movie “Leaving Las Vegas” is actually
considered to be a memorial to this author, as it appears that two
weeks after the production had commenced, O’Brien had ended his
life, committing a suicide. Nicolas Cage stars in the role of Ben
Sanderson, who is an experienced alcoholic. His antisocial influence
on the people that surround him is not to be doubted. The director
draws a clear picture of a depressed alcoholic, whose ceaseless
drinking problem had caused him to loose everything and everyone,
including his family and his career as a Hollywood screenwriter. This
loss of social connections as material possessions is very common in
chronic alcoholics. His friend Peter is all he has left, and Ben meets
him at the restaurant in order to get some cash, so that he may have
enough to fulfill his plan of going to Las Vegas and drinking himself
to death. The desperate anti-social nature of an alcoholic is clearly
exemplified, when after meeting with his friend Peter he heads to a
bar, and performs a piteous attempt to pick up a girl that he likes, but
off course he fails. After being fired from his prestigious job the main
character proceeds to his house and makes a backyard bonfire, where
he burns all his material belongings, and heads to Las Vegas. This
illustrates his impaired psychological condition and inability to
soberly evaluate the situation due to constant alcoholic intoxication.
Having arrived in Vegas, Ben almost runs over a woman, who is in
just as hopeless state as he is, and will be his accompanying heroine in
the following part of the film. Being in the state of alcoholic
exhilaration the next day he finds that woman, who turns out to be a
prostitute, named Sera. Ben offers her $ 500 in order to come with
him, but instead of having sex with her, he starts talking to her, and
subsequently creates a strange relationship with this woman. They
attempt to build their relations on coming to terms with each other’s
problems. Sera never criticizes Ben’s drinking problem, and Ben
never mentions or makes remarks concerning Sera’s occupation.
However having lived like this for a while, both Sera and Ben become
frustrated with each other’s issues. Sera tries to get her partner to
submit to a healthier lifestyle, but he in his turn makes another false
step towards more alcohol consumption. When Sera is begging Ben to
see a doctor, Ben refuses to deal with this issue, and feeling angry
brings another woman – a prostitute back to Sera’s house. At this
point Ben demonstrates signs of severe substance intoxication, with
symptoms of possible brain damage, as his speech patterns are
incoherent. When Sera walks in her rented home and finds Ben with a
prostitute, she throws him out, and soon after that she gets raped and
beaten by a few of her clients. This makes her occupation obvious to
the home owners and the woman gets evicted. Following this, she
receives a call from Ben who is dying, and begs her to come see him.
When she comes to visit him, they have sex for the first time, and in
the morning Ben dies, holding sleeping Sera in his arms.
This film with a tragic ending demonstrates a clear example of chronic
alcoholism. During the film Ben was shown consuming alcohol
numerous times. After the intake he was experiencing a condition
called acute alcoholic intoxication. The individual manifestations of
this condition depended on many factors, such as the amount of
consumed alcohol, activity of enzymatic systems that break down the
substance, personality type, psychological, and physical condition. It
was visible, that alcohol consumption impaired Ben’s adequate
perception of reality, limited the volume of perceived information, and
reduced the rate of information processing. This was clear, when he
after being fired made an irrational decision of killing himself and
started burning all his possessions. At this point alcohol had
deteriorated Ben’s personal qualities of making wise decisions and
rationally planning out his actions. The main character of this film has
demonstrated various sides of his personality in relation to alcoholic
consumption. According to a psychological study of alcoholics it was
discovered that certain personalities are more inclined towards
alcoholism than others (Penick et al., 1999, p. 188). He continually
manifests his pedantic and vexatious qualities, as being under the
influence he becomes more communicative and relaxed, and attempts
seeking communication, firstly in the bar when he tries to pick up an
attractive girl, and secondly when he just met Sera and instead of
having sex, starts talking to her. It is clear that due to this anxiousness,
it important for Ben to consume alcohol in order to feel more relaxed
and have an easier time satisfying his communication need. The
viewer can precisely observe that depressive reactions (desire to kill
himself) are also very inherent to Ben’s personality, as being under the
influence often causes unhappy mood, gloomy thoughts, and sense of
despair. When the hero refused to stop drinking or see a doctor, his
hankering towards alcohol was becoming stronger. The metabolic
processes were becoming modified, and his organism tuned towards
constant intoxication was demanding its everyday dose. Ben was
suffering severe physical dependence, as his appetite for alcohol was
irresistible, and after another overdose he had a desire to satisfy his
hangover with another drink in order to quell unpleasant sensations.
The alcoholism portrayed in this film was probably nearing its final
third stage, as at the end when Sera demands Ben to see a doctor, he
does not have any control over his consumption, and shows visible
signs of abstinent syndrome. According to his speech, his brain had
suffered a severe intellectually mnestic disorder, as he cannot sustain a
conversation due to possible encephalopathy. It was demonstrated by
many authors that when over a period of time an individual consumes
large amounts of alcohol his blood alcohol concentrations (BACs). It
was also revealed that the alcohol exposure patterns affect peak BACs
and induce brain damage (Hannigan, Spear, Spear, & Goodlett, 1999,
p. 23). Another study focused on researching an alcohol induced
disease called hepatic encephalopathy, which is a brain disorder
caused by chronic failure of the liver. It is very common in alcoholics
who have cirrhosis and some of its results are impairments of
psychiatric, cognitive, and motor functions. The reduction of liver
cells due to cirrhosis causes the diversion of blood around the liver,
which leads to such toxins as ammonia and manganese to enter the
neural tissue and cause the damage of astrocytes (Butterworth, 2003).
At the end of the film Ben appears to demonstrate the above
symptoms of hepatic encephalopathy. At this stage the internal organs
are suffering irreversible alterations, such as cardiomyopathy in the
heart, and polyneuropathy in the nervous system which becomes
apparent through aches and abnormal walking pace. All of the above
consequences of this disease bring Ben Sanderson to a tragic end that
is very common among today’s chronic alcoholics.
As was mentioned earlier, the problem of alcoholism in general and
alcoholism as a disease is reflected in many modern art forms. One of
the films that vividly portray this issue is entitled “Leaving Las
Vegas”. This film is based on a cognominal novel by John O’Brien,
and is believed to be autobiographical to him, as this writer was a
hardcore alcoholic. The movie “Leaving Las Vegas” is actually
considered to be a memorial to this author, as it appears that two
weeks after the production had commenced, O’Brien had ended his
life, committing a suicide. Nicolas Cage stars in the role of Ben
Sanderson, who is an experienced alcoholic. His antisocial influence
on the people that surround him is not to be doubted. The director
draws a clear picture of a depressed alcoholic, whose ceaseless
drinking problem had caused him to loose everything and everyone,
including his family and his career as a Hollywood screenwriter. This
loss of social connections as material possessions is very common in
chronic alcoholics. His friend Peter is all he has left, and Ben meets
him at the restaurant in order to get some cash, so that he may have
enough to fulfill his plan of going to Las Vegas and drinking himself
to death. The desperate anti-social nature of an alcoholic is clearly
exemplified, when after meeting with his friend Peter he heads to a
bar, and performs a piteous attempt to pick up a girl that he likes, but
off course he fails. After being fired from his prestigious job the main
character proceeds to his house and makes a backyard bonfire, where
he burns all his material belongings, and heads to Las Vegas. This
illustrates his impaired psychological condition and inability to
soberly evaluate the situation due to constant alcoholic intoxication.
Having arrived in Vegas, Ben almost runs over a woman, who is in
just as hopeless state as he is, and will be his accompanying heroine in
the following part of the film. Being in the state of alcoholic
exhilaration the next day he finds that woman, who turns out to be a
prostitute, named Sera. Ben offers her $ 500 in order to come with
him, but instead of having sex with her, he starts talking to her, and
subsequently creates a strange relationship with this woman. They
attempt to build their relations on coming to terms with each other’s
problems. Sera never criticizes Ben’s drinking problem, and Ben
never mentions or makes remarks concerning Sera’s occupation.
However having lived like this for a while, both Sera and Ben become
frustrated with each other’s issues. Sera tries to get her partner to
submit to a healthier lifestyle, but he in his turn makes another false
step towards more alcohol consumption. When Sera is begging Ben to
see a doctor, Ben refuses to deal with this issue, and feeling angry
brings another woman – a prostitute back to Sera’s house. At this
point Ben demonstrates signs of severe substance intoxication, with
symptoms of possible brain damage, as his speech patterns are
incoherent. When Sera walks in her rented home and finds Ben with a
prostitute, she throws him out, and soon after that she gets raped and
beaten by a few of her clients. This makes her occupation obvious to
the home owners and the woman gets evicted. Following this, she
receives a call from Ben who is dying, and begs her to come see him.
When she comes to visit him, they have sex for the first time, and in
the morning Ben dies, holding sleeping Sera in his arms.
This film with a tragic ending demonstrates a clear example of chronic
alcoholism. During the film Ben was shown consuming alcohol
numerous times. After the intake he was experiencing a condition
called acute alcoholic intoxication. The individual manifestations of
this condition depended on many factors, such as the amount of
consumed alcohol, activity of enzymatic systems that break down the
substance, personality type, psychological, and physical condition. It
was visible, that alcohol consumption impaired Ben’s adequate
perception of reality, limited the volume of perceived information, and
reduced the rate of information processing. This was clear, when he
after being fired made an irrational decision of killing himself and
started burning all his possessions. At this point alcohol had
deteriorated Ben’s personal qualities of making wise decisions and
rationally planning out his actions. The main character of this film has
demonstrated various sides of his personality in relation to alcoholic
consumption. According to a psychological study of alcoholics it was
discovered that certain personalities are more inclined towards
alcoholism than others (Penick et al., 1999, p. 188). He continually
manifests his pedantic and vexatious qualities, as being under the
influence he becomes more communicative and relaxed, and attempts
seeking communication, firstly in the bar when he tries to pick up an
attractive girl, and secondly when he just met Sera and instead of
having sex, starts talking to her. It is clear that due to this anxiousness,
it important for Ben to consume alcohol in order to feel more relaxed
and have an easier time satisfying his communication need. The
viewer can precisely observe that depressive reactions (desire to kill
himself) are also very inherent to Ben’s personality, as being under the
influence often causes unhappy mood, gloomy thoughts, and sense of
despair. When the hero refused to stop drinking or see a doctor, his
hankering towards alcohol was becoming stronger. The metabolic
processes were becoming modified, and his organism tuned towards
constant intoxication was demanding its everyday dose. Ben was
suffering severe physical dependence, as his appetite for alcohol was
irresistible, and after another overdose he had a desire to satisfy his
hangover with another drink in order to quell unpleasant sensations.
The alcoholism portrayed in this film was probably nearing its final
third stage, as at the end when Sera demands Ben to see a doctor, he
does not have any control over his consumption, and shows visible
signs of abstinent syndrome. According to his speech, his brain had
suffered a severe intellectually mnestic disorder, as he cannot sustain a
conversation due to possible encephalopathy. It was demonstrated by
many authors that when over a period of time an individual consumes
large amounts of alcohol his blood alcohol concentrations (BACs). It
was also revealed that the alcohol exposure patterns affect peak BACs
and induce brain damage (Hannigan, Spear, Spear, & Goodlett, 1999,
p. 23). Another study focused on researching an alcohol induced
disease called hepatic encephalopathy, which is a brain disorder
caused by chronic failure of the liver. It is very common in alcoholics
who have cirrhosis and some of its results are impairments of
psychiatric, cognitive, and motor functions. The reduction of liver
cells due to cirrhosis causes the diversion of blood around the liver,
which leads to such toxins as ammonia and manganese to enter the
neural tissue and cause the damage of astrocytes (Butterworth, 2003).
At the end of the film Ben appears to demonstrate the above
symptoms of hepatic encephalopathy. At this stage the internal organs
are suffering irreversible alterations, such as cardiomyopathy in the
heart, and polyneuropathy in the nervous system which becomes
apparent through aches and abnormal walking pace. All of the above
consequences of this disease bring Ben Sanderson to a tragic end that
is very common among today’s chronic alcoholics.
As was mentioned earlier, the problem of alcoholism in general and
alcoholism as a disease is reflected in many modern art forms. One of
the films that vividly portray this issue is entitled “Leaving Las
Vegas”. This film is based on a cognominal novel by John O’Brien,
and is believed to be autobiographical to him, as this writer was a
hardcore alcoholic. The movie “Leaving Las Vegas” is actually
considered to be a memorial to this author, as it appears that two
weeks after the production had commenced, O’Brien had ended his
life, committing a suicide. Nicolas Cage stars in the role of Ben
Sanderson, who is an experienced alcoholic. His antisocial influence
on the people that surround him is not to be doubted. The director
draws a clear picture of a depressed alcoholic, whose ceaseless
drinking problem had caused him to loose everything and everyone,
including his family and his career as a Hollywood screenwriter. This
loss of social connections as material possessions is very common in
chronic alcoholics. His friend Peter is all he has left, and Ben meets
him at the restaurant in order to get some cash, so that he may have
enough to fulfill his plan of going to Las Vegas and drinking himself
to death. The desperate anti-social nature of an alcoholic is clearly
exemplified, when after meeting with his friend Peter he heads to a
bar, and performs a piteous attempt to pick up a girl that he likes, but
off course he fails. After being fired from his prestigious job the main
character proceeds to his house and makes a backyard bonfire, where
he burns all his material belongings, and heads to Las Vegas. This
illustrates his impaired psychological condition and inability to
soberly evaluate the situation due to constant alcoholic intoxication.
Having arrived in Vegas, Ben almost runs over a woman, who is in
just as hopeless state as he is, and will be his accompanying heroine in
the following part of the film. Being in the state of alcoholic
exhilaration the next day he finds that woman, who turns out to be a
prostitute, named Sera. Ben offers her $ 500 in order to come with
him, but instead of having sex with her, he starts talking to her, and
subsequently creates a strange relationship with this woman. They
attempt to build their relations on coming to terms with each other’s
problems. Sera never criticizes Ben’s drinking problem, and Ben
never mentions or makes remarks concerning Sera’s occupation.
However having lived like this for a while, both Sera and Ben become
frustrated with each other’s issues. Sera tries to get her partner to
submit to a healthier lifestyle, but he in his turn makes another false
step towards more alcohol consumption. When Sera is begging Ben to
see a doctor, Ben refuses to deal with this issue, and feeling angry
brings another woman – a prostitute back to Sera’s house. At this
point Ben demonstrates signs of severe substance intoxication, with
symptoms of possible brain damage, as his speech patterns are
incoherent. When Sera walks in her rented home and finds Ben with a
prostitute, she throws him out, and soon after that she gets raped and
beaten by a few of her clients. This makes her occupation obvious to
the home owners and the woman gets evicted. Following this, she
receives a call from Ben who is dying, and begs her to come see him.
When she comes to visit him, they have sex for the first time, and in
the morning Ben dies, holding sleeping Sera in his arms.
This film with a tragic ending demonstrates a clear example of chronic
alcoholism. During the film Ben was shown consuming alcohol
numerous times. After the intake he was experiencing a condition
called acute alcoholic intoxication. The individual manifestations of
this condition depended on many factors, such as the amount of
consumed alcohol, activity of enzymatic systems that break down the
substance, personality type, psychological, and physical condition. It
was visible, that alcohol consumption impaired Ben’s adequate
perception of reality, limited the volume of perceived information, and
reduced the rate of information processing. This was clear, when he
after being fired made an irrational decision of killing himself and
started burning all his possessions. At this point alcohol had
deteriorated Ben’s personal qualities of making wise decisions and
rationally planning out his actions. The main character of this film has
demonstrated various sides of his personality in relation to alcoholic
consumption. According to a psychological study of alcoholics it was
discovered that certain personalities are more inclined towards
alcoholism than others (Penick et al., 1999, p. 188). He continually
manifests his pedantic and vexatious qualities, as being under the
influence he becomes more communicative and relaxed, and attempts
seeking communication, firstly in the bar when he tries to pick up an
attractive girl, and secondly when he just met Sera and instead of
having sex, starts talking to her. It is clear that due to this anxiousness,
it important for Ben to consume alcohol in order to feel more relaxed
and have an easier time satisfying his communication need. The
viewer can precisely observe that depressive reactions (desire to kill
himself) are also very inherent to Ben’s personality, as being under the
influence often causes unhappy mood, gloomy thoughts, and sense of
despair. When the hero refused to stop drinking or see a doctor, his
hankering towards alcohol was becoming stronger. The metabolic
processes were becoming modified, and his organism tuned towards
constant intoxication was demanding its everyday dose. Ben was
suffering severe physical dependence, as his appetite for alcohol was
irresistible, and after another overdose he had a desire to satisfy his
hangover with another drink in order to quell unpleasant sensations.
The alcoholism portrayed in this film was probably nearing its final
third stage, as at the end when Sera demands Ben to see a doctor, he
does not have any control over his consumption, and shows visible
signs of abstinent syndrome. According to his speech, his brain had
suffered a severe intellectually mnestic disorder, as he cannot sustain a
conversation due to possible encephalopathy. It was demonstrated by
many authors that when over a period of time an individual consumes
large amounts of alcohol his blood alcohol concentrations (BACs). It
was also revealed that the alcohol exposure patterns affect peak BACs
and induce brain damage (Hannigan, Spear, Spear, & Goodlett, 1999,
p. 23). Another study focused on researching an alcohol induced
disease called hepatic encephalopathy, which is a brain disorder
caused by chronic failure of the liver. It is very common in alcoholics
who have cirrhosis and some of its results are impairments of
psychiatric, cognitive, and motor functions. The reduction of liver
cells due to cirrhosis causes the diversion of blood around the liver,
which leads to such toxins as ammonia and manganese to enter the
neural tissue and cause the damage of astrocytes (Butterworth, 2003).
At the end of the film Ben appears to demonstrate the above
symptoms of hepatic encephalopathy. At this stage the internal organs
are suffering irreversible alterations, such as cardiomyopathy in the
heart, and polyneuropathy in the nervous system which becomes
apparent through aches and abnormal walking pace. All of the above
consequences of this disease bring Ben Sanderson to a tragic end that
is very common among today’s chronic alcoholics.
As was mentioned earlier, the problem of alcoholism in general and
alcoholism as a disease is reflected in many modern art forms. One of
the films that vividly portray this issue is entitled “Leaving Las
Vegas”. This film is based on a cognominal novel by John O’Brien,
and is believed to be autobiographical to him, as this writer was a
hardcore alcoholic. The movie “Leaving Las Vegas” is actually
considered to be a memorial to this author, as it appears that two
weeks after the production had commenced, O’Brien had ended his
life, committing a suicide. Nicolas Cage stars in the role of Ben
Sanderson, who is an experienced alcoholic. His antisocial influence
on the people that surround him is not to be doubted. The director
draws a clear picture of a depressed alcoholic, whose ceaseless
drinking problem had caused him to loose everything and everyone,
including his family and his career as a Hollywood screenwriter. This
loss of social connections as material possessions is very common in
chronic alcoholics. His friend Peter is all he has left, and Ben meets
him at the restaurant in order to get some cash, so that he may have
enough to fulfill his plan of going to Las Vegas and drinking himself
to death. The desperate anti-social nature of an alcoholic is clearly
exemplified, when after meeting with his friend Peter he heads to a
bar, and performs a piteous attempt to pick up a girl that he likes, but
off course he fails. After being fired from his prestigious job the main
character proceeds to his house and makes a backyard bonfire, where
he burns all his material belongings, and heads to Las Vegas. This
illustrates his impaired psychological condition and inability to
soberly evaluate the situation due to constant alcoholic intoxication.
Having arrived in Vegas, Ben almost runs over a woman, who is in
just as hopeless state as he is, and will be his accompanying heroine in
the following part of the film. Being in the state of alcoholic
exhilaration the next day he finds that woman, who turns out to be a
prostitute, named Sera. Ben offers her $ 500 in order to come with
him, but instead of having sex with her, he starts talking to her, and
subsequently creates a strange relationship with this woman. They
attempt to build their relations on coming to terms with each other’s
problems. Sera never criticizes Ben’s drinking problem, and Ben
never mentions or makes remarks concerning Sera’s occupation.
However having lived like this for a while, both Sera and Ben become
frustrated with each other’s issues. Sera tries to get her partner to
submit to a healthier lifestyle, but he in his turn makes another false
step towards more alcohol consumption. When Sera is begging Ben to
see a doctor, Ben refuses to deal with this issue, and feeling angry
brings another woman – a prostitute back to Sera’s house. At this
point Ben demonstrates signs of severe substance intoxication, with
symptoms of possible brain damage, as his speech patterns are
incoherent. When Sera walks in her rented home and finds Ben with a
prostitute, she throws him out, and soon after that she gets raped and
beaten by a few of her clients. This makes her occupation obvious to
the home owners and the woman gets evicted. Following this, she
receives a call from Ben who is dying, and begs her to come see him.
When she comes to visit him, they have sex for the first time, and in
the morning Ben dies, holding sleeping Sera in his arms.
This film with a tragic ending demonstrates a clear example of chronic
alcoholism. During the film Ben was shown consuming alcohol
numerous times. After the intake he was experiencing a condition
called acute alcoholic intoxication. The individual manifestations of
this condition depended on many factors, such as the amount of
consumed alcohol, activity of enzymatic systems that break down the
substance, personality type, psychological, and physical condition. It
was visible, that alcohol consumption impaired Ben’s adequate
perception of reality, limited the volume of perceived information, and
reduced the rate of information processing. This was clear, when he
after being fired made an irrational decision of killing himself and
started burning all his possessions. At this point alcohol had
deteriorated Ben’s personal qualities of making wise decisions and
rationally planning out his actions. The main character of this film has
demonstrated various sides of his personality in relation to alcoholic
consumption. According to a psychological study of alcoholics it was
discovered that certain personalities are more inclined towards
alcoholism than others (Penick et al., 1999, p. 188). He continually
manifests his pedantic and vexatious qualities, as being under the
influence he becomes more communicative and relaxed, and attempts
seeking communication, firstly in the bar when he tries to pick up an
attractive girl, and secondly when he just met Sera and instead of
having sex, starts talking to her. It is clear that due to this anxiousness,
it important for Ben to consume alcohol in order to feel more relaxed
and have an easier time satisfying his communication need. The
viewer can precisely observe that depressive reactions (desire to kill
himself) are also very inherent to Ben’s personality, as being under the
influence often causes unhappy mood, gloomy thoughts, and sense of
despair. When the hero refused to stop drinking or see a doctor, his
hankering towards alcohol was becoming stronger. The metabolic
processes were becoming modified, and his organism tuned towards
constant intoxication was demanding its everyday dose. Ben was
suffering severe physical dependence, as his appetite for alcohol was
irresistible, and after another overdose he had a desire to satisfy his
hangover with another drink in order to quell unpleasant sensations.
The alcoholism portrayed in this film was probably nearing its final
third stage, as at the end when Sera demands Ben to see a doctor, he
does not have any control over his consumption, and shows visible
signs of abstinent syndrome. According to his speech, his brain had
suffered a severe intellectually mnestic disorder, as he cannot sustain a
conversation due to possible encephalopathy. It was demonstrated by
many authors that when over a period of time an individual consumes
large amounts of alcohol his blood alcohol concentrations (BACs). It
was also revealed that the alcohol exposure patterns affect peak BACs
and induce brain damage (Hannigan, Spear, Spear, & Goodlett, 1999,
p. 23). Another study focused on researching an alcohol induced
disease called hepatic encephalopathy, which is a brain disorder
caused by chronic failure of the liver. It is very common in alcoholics
who have cirrhosis and some of its results are impairments of
psychiatric, cognitive, and motor functions. The reduction of liver
cells due to cirrhosis causes the diversion of blood around the liver,
which leads to such toxins as ammonia and manganese to enter the
neural tissue and cause the damage of astrocytes (Butterworth, 2003).
At the end of the film Ben appears to demonstrate the above
symptoms of hepatic encephalopathy. At this stage the internal organs
are suffering irreversible alterations, such as cardiomyopathy in the
heart, and polyneuropathy in the nervous system which becomes
apparent through aches and abnormal walking pace. All of the above
consequences of this disease bring Ben Sanderson to a tragic end that
is very common among today’s chronic alcoholics.
Annotated Bibliography
Butterworth, R. F. (2003). Hepatic Encephalopathy.)Alcohol
Research & Health, 27(3), 240+.
This article’s main concern is the recent research in the field of
hepatic encephalopathy, the most common cause of which is
alcoholism-induced cirrhosis. It gives clear characteristics of hepatic
encephalopathy and its influence on the brain structures, as well as
provides methods for its diagnosis and suggests possible treatment
interventions.
Martindale, D., & Martindale, E. (1976).)The Social Dimensions of
Mental Illness, Alcoholism and Drug Dependence. Westport, CT:
Greenwood Press.
This book focuses on the solution of problems called social control,
mastery of nature, and socialization. This source also makes objective
remarks on the careers of substance abusers. It’s main idea of
accenting the role of alcohol and substance abuse on the human social
development. It states that humans are not born with social instincts
however it is important for them to become social and assist each
other, whereas substance abuse prevents and disrupts the formation of
social relations, perplexing the communication.
Chafetz, M. E., & Demone, H. W. (1962).)Alcoholism and Society.
New York: Oxford University Press.
This source tells the reader about the historical development of
traditions related to alcoholism, as well as its causes from etiological
point of view. Summarizing the history of this substance dependence
the authors attempt to understand why some people are more inclined
than others, and why does alcoholism spreads at such fast rate as a
psychiatric disorder. The central argument of this book was helpful in
understanding the concept of alcoholism as a disease that does not
affect an individual, but affects society as a whole.
Hannigan, J. H., Spear, L. P., Spear, N. E., & Goodlett, C. R.
(Eds.). (1999). Alcohol and Alcoholism:)Effects on Brain and
Development. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
The main concern of this source is the effects of alcohol consumption
on the human brain and its influence on the human nervous system. It
takes a neurophysiologic look at the problem of chronic alcohol
consumption on the brain physiology, and clearly illustrates the severe
consequences of chronic alcoholism on individual health.
Penick, E. C., Nickel, E. J., Powell, B. J., Liskow, B. I., Campbell,
J., Dale, T. M., et al. (1999). The Comparative Validity of Eleven
Alcoholism Typologies.)Journal of Studies on Alcohol, 60(2), 188.
This journal article reports on a study that may help classifying
alcoholics as a certain type. This may assist the therapists in more
precise diagnosis of this disease. The study introduces a clever
classification of alcoholics according to two dimensions: alcoholism
severity, and psychiatric/social impairment. Such classification
appears to be a useful clinical tool for psychiatrists and physicians.
Judge, M. G. (1997). Alcoholism: Character or Genetics?)Insight
on the News,)13, 8+.
This magazine article discusses the issue of alcoholism, particularly its
cause. It focuses on two possible etiological causes of this disorder
and discusses whether it is associated with the individual character, or
is it the fault of the inherited human genes. This article refers to
numerous studies that support both theories, however does not come
to a clear conclusion.
