Alcoholism Health Article

Prevention

Prevention is primarily related to education and early intervention. In a culture where alcohol is so ingrained, education about the dangers of this drug is vitally important, even as early as early childhood. Since alcohol is the easiest and cheapest drug to obtain and the one most commonly used by teens, the first instance of intoxication (drunkenness) with alcohol usually occurs during the teenage years. It is particularly important that teenagers who are at high risk for alcoholism be made aware of this danger. Those at high risk include those with a family history of alcoholism, an early or frequent use of alcohol, a tendency to drink to drunkenness, alcohol use that interferes with schoolwork, a poor family environment, or a history of domestic violence. Peers are often the best people to provide this education, and groups such as SADD (Students Against Drunk Driving, a Marlborough, Massachusetts-based organization), appear very effective. Courts and schools sometimes provide education through local substance abuse programs, as well. Setting a good example, developing and practicing communication skills with your children, and frank discussions about the consequences of drinking, are all encouraged to prevent alcoholism related problems. Developing alternative coping skills to life's problems is also essential, as is encouraging a more distant perspective on the pervasive advertising that deceptively promotes alcohol's health reducing glamour.

BOOKS

American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. 4th ed. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association, 1994.

Diamond, Ivan. "Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse." Cecil Textbook of Medicine, edited by J. Claude Bennett and Fred Plum. Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders, 1996.

Schuckit, Marc A. "Alcohol and Alcoholism." In Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, edited by Anthony S. Fauci, et al. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1998.

PERIODICALS

Aesoph, Lauri M. "Kick the Habit—Naturally: Quit Drinking or Smoking With Herbs, Acupuncture, and the Right Diet." Vegetarian Times (March 1996): 100+.

Bullock, M. L., P. D. Culliton, and R. T. Oleander. "Controlled Trial of Acupuncture for Severe Recidivist Alcoholism." Lancet (June 1989): 1435–1439.

Dorsman, Jerry. "Improving Alcoholism Treatment: an Overview." Behavioral Health Management (January-February 1996): 26+.

Ianelli, Joseph. "When Alcoholism Hits Home." American Journal of Nursing (July 1997): 68+.

O'Brien, Charles P., and A. Thomas McLellan. "Addiction Medicine." Journal of the American Medical Association (June 18, 1997): 1840+.

"Spotting a Drinking Problem." Consumer Reports on Health (September 1997): 106+.

ORGANIZATIONS

Al-Anon, Alanon Family Group, Inc. P.O. Box 862, Midtown Station, New York, NY 10018-0862. (800) 356-9996. http://www.recovery.org/aa.

National Alliance on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Inc. 12 West 21st St., New York, NY 10010. (212) 206-6770.

National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information. <http://www.health.org>.

OTHER

Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. MedicineNet, Inc. 1996-2004. [cited May 28, 2004]. <http://www.medicinet.com>.

Alcoholism. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. 1998-2004. Updated, July 3, 2002. [cited May 28, 2004]. <http://www.mayoclinic.com>.

FAQs on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA). Updated, March 2003. [cited May 28, 2004]. <http://www.niaaa.nih.gov/faq/q-a.htm>.

Katherine E. Nelson, N.D.