Etiology of Alcohol Addiction.

Scenario:
A 45 year old African American female was admitted to a detoxification facility with reports that she was consuming three pints of whiskey daily for the past three years. The patient also reports she last drank alcohol approximately “ten hours ago.” Answer the following questions:
Based on this scenario, respond to the following prompts:

  1. Explain the etiology of Alcohol Addiction.
  2. According to the DSM V-TR, what is the criteria for this condition? What screening tools are available for measuring Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome?
  3. What treatment options will you offer this patient and why? (Provide pharmacological interventions, including nursing interventions, as well as cultural considerations for African American populations with this condition).
  4. If the patient later reports a history of promiscuity and sexually-transmitted infections, impulsivity, aggression, and irritability, how does this impact the patient’s treatment plan? Explain the concept of co-occurring disorder and its relevance to this case study.
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Sample Answer

 

 

 

 

 

Given the scenario of a 45-year-old African American female admitted to a detoxification facility with a history of heavy daily whiskey consumption for three years and recent cessation, let’s address the prompts.

 

1. Etiology of Alcohol Addiction

 

Alcohol addiction, now formally known as Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD), is a complex condition resulting from the interplay of multiple factors, not simply a lack of willpower. Its etiology is biopsychosocial, meaning it involves biological,

Full Answer Section

 

 

 

 

 

1. Etiology of Alcohol Addiction

 

Alcohol addiction, formally known as Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD), is a complex brain disease influenced by a multifaceted interplay of genetic, psychological, social, and environmental factors. It’s not simply a moral failing or lack of willpower, but a chronic relapsing disorder characterized by compulsive alcohol seeking and use, loss of control over alcohol intake, and the emergence of a negative emotional state when alcohol is not available.

  • Genetic Factors: Research indicates a significant genetic predisposition to AUD. Individuals with a family history of AUD are at a higher risk, suggesting that inherited genes can influence how a person metabolizes alcohol, their initial tolerance to its effects, and their susceptibility to its reinforcing properties. Genes affecting neurotransmitter systems (like dopamine, GABA, and glutamate) involved in reward, stress response, and craving play a role.

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