Risk Factors Involved in Alcoholism (Case Study Sample)

ALCOHOLISM
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Introduction
This assignment paper entails a case study based on alcoholism as a problem. It discusses in detail the prevalence and trends in the consumption of alcohol among various groups in the UK. In addition, concepts and theories related to the risk factors are highlighted, as well as the health and socioeconomic impacts of alcoholism. An overview of various countermeasure policies are also presented and critiqued.
Alcoholism
The New England Journal of Medicine defines alcoholism as a chronic illness characterized by dependence and preoccupation with alcohol. According to the NHS data, alcoholism is a growing concern in the United Kingdom and the world at large. The rates of alcohol abuse have doubled since 1950s. This has seen a general increase in the number of mental health complications, alcohol-related deaths and hospital admissions. Alcoholism in the UK cuts across various groups of all ages, ranging from youths to aged adults. The following NHS statistics highlight the spread of alcoholism in the UK. (Alcohol statistics, 2020)
* 24% of adults in Scotland and England drink heavily, surpassing the recommended level of consumption. 27% of drinkers in Great Britain binge-drink, with men consuming 8 units while women consuming 6 units per day.
* Alcohol abuse is the biggest risk factor for poor health, disability and death among the vast population of the UK.
* In 2019/2020, alcohol related hospital admissions in Scotland stood at around 35,000.
* In 2020, the alcohol related death rates in England was 13 per a population of 100,000
* Alcohol related death rates in Northern Ireland was 19.6 per 100, 000
* From 2016 to 2020, the rate of older people being admitted to hospitals with alcohol related complications rose by 7%.
* The average age of people undergoing alcoholic treatment and rehabilitation is 46 years, with 60% being male individuals.
* 21% of the people undergoing treatment in 2020 were parents with dependent children.
* Only 59% of the population undergoing treatment successfully completed their treatment in 2020.
* In 2018/2019 wales and England reported having received problems with drunk and rowdy people disturbing in public places. Northampton shire, London and West midlands recorded the highest cases of alcoholic violent misconduct with few cases reported in North Wales, Cambria and Suffolk.
* People who earn much money are more likely to drink alcohol compared to these who live in deprived regions with little income.
Just like any other else disease, alcoholism prevails itself in various symptoms. These range from social to psychological disorders. Alcoholic victims have an acute craving for alcohol and spend a large portion of their time drinking. This culminates in intoxication when the level of alcohol in the bloodstream becomes excessively high. With higher blood concentration in the blood, the victim’s develops a slurred speech and the attention and judgment becomes impaired. Some victims experience blackouts after memory loss. Behavior misconduct is largely noticed, with victims escaping social obligations such as wok and family obligations. Alcohol withdrawal eventually occur after prolonged periods of alcohol consumption. According to the US Substance and Mental Health Services Administration, 2015, p.14, victim depict signs such as:
* Sleeping problems
* Agitation
* Restlessness, rapid heartbeats
* Anxiety, hallucinations
* Occasional Seizures
* Hand tremors
* Nausea and vomiting
Alcoholism risk factors
Alcoholism is a complex disease with a dozen risk factors which impact specific individuals.