1. Alcoholism

3. Alcoholism
Target: I will be able to describe the stages of alcoholism, and recognize when a person may need help.
Alcoholism: A disease in which there is a physical and psychological dependency on alcohol
Drugged: High On Alcohol (Beginning-3 Min)
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4. Three stages of Alcoholism:
1. Early Alcoholism- Characterized by the drinker using alcohol on a regular basis and building up a tolerance to it.
Tolerance: Drinking more while still functioning in normal daily activities
Users tend to drink to relax, relieve stress or depression; they will try to rationalize their behavior/reasons for drinking.
They then begin to develop a dependency to alcohol.

5. Dependence: Relying on drinking in order to function, resulting in withdrawal symptoms when drinking ceases.
2. Middle Stage- User can’t stop drinking; they are physically dependent; they deny having a problem
Performance at school, work, or home suffers
An attempt to control drinking often occurs in broken promises and more drinking.

6. 3. Late/End Stage: Obsession with and uncontrollable drinking.
Ability to hide or deny it at work, school, and home becomes difficult
May be overly aggressive
May suffer from malnutrition
Frequent blackouts
Severe withdrawals if they stop drinking
Delirium Tremens (DTs): Alcohol withdrawal in which there is hallucinations and muscle convulsions
Cannot be cured but they can be treated

7. Treatment:
Step 1: Detoxification: Removing alcohol from the body with medical attention.
Step 2: Rehabilitation: Recovering from malnutrition, counseling, and learning how to build healthy relationships.
Step 3: Support Groups: AA-Alcoholics Anonymous and Al-Anon/Alateen

8. HELPING THE ALCOHOLIC Summary
Be supportive-be willing to help them get help
SAMHSA’s National Helpline is a free, confidential, 24/7, 365-day-a-year treatment referral and information service: Call HELP
Remain calm-don’t nag them
Never ride with them when they’ve been drinking.
No emotional pleas
Never enable them-make excuses for them
Do not assume their responsibilities
Don’t argue with them when they’ve been drinking
Don’t ignore the problem
Summary

9. Dealing with Alcoholism
Imagine you are an alcoholic or a family member of an alcoholic… write a creative narrative describing the stage of alcoholism that you/your family member is going through. Conclude with ways to get help. OR
Write a letter to someone you know who abuses alcohol, describe the stage you think they are in, what behaviors you see, an why you want them to get help.
*Use good grammar, and write a minimum of 2 paragraphs*
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