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Alcoholism; a Biological and Psychological Look Inside

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Alcoholism; A Biological and Psychological Look Inside

PSY350
Prof. Marion Burke
March 30, 2014

Abstract

The following article is a detailed look at alcohol use disorders and alcoholism. The pages that follow give an inside look at the biological and neurological effects these disorders have on a person. There is also some explanation of treatments and some new research that is being worked on in order to help predict who may be at risk.

Alcoholism; A Biological and Psychological Look Inside
Alcoholism is a growing problem in today’s society. Every day there are more and more people who are having problems with controlling their drinking or who are admitted to hospitals because of extreme illness caused by alcoholism. There is approximately 15 % of male drinkers and 6% of female drinkers in the United States who will have an alcoholism problem (Sullivan, 2009). Each of these groups has family and friends who are affected by their alcoholism. The link between biology and psychology in relation to alcoholism is a vastly growing interest of study. Neurological research is being done to try and explain the connection and to help create effective treatments.
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.;DSM–5; American Psychiatric Association, 2013) gives clinical descriptions of different types of alcohol related disorders. One such description is that of Alcohol use disorder. This is described in the DSM-5 (American Psychiatric Association, 2013) as a problematic pattern of alcohol consumption that leads to clinically significant impairment and distress.
On a neurological level alcoholism or excessive alcohol consumption can be very damaging. Excessive alcohol consumption is linked to over 60 disease processes (Breedlove, Watson & Rosenzweig, 2010). Alcoholism follows a dynamic course, with alternating periods of drinking

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