Psychosocial aspects

I selected alcohol use disorder, having observed the implications that it has on society.
The psychosocial effects of alcohol can be evaluated using DSM-V. The DSM-V criteria A
describes alcohol use disorder as the problematic use of alcohol that results in impairment
and distress (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). Criteria A states that the individual
must have shown at least two of the symptoms listed within 12 months. An individual
with alcohol use disorder may within 12 months take alcohol in large amounts and
over a longer period than they intended. An individual may also have unsuccessfully
tried to control alcohol use (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). They may also be
spending a huge amount of time engaging in activities that seek to promote alcohol
consumption. Alcohol use disorder is also characterized by cravings for alcohol.
Alcohol use may have interfered with the fulfillment of various roles and
responsibilities both at schoolwork or home. Alcohol may have created interpersonal
problems and resulted in the individual giving up social and recreational activities (American
Psychiatric Association, 2013). Alcohol use may have pushed the individual to continue
consuming in situations that are deemed to be physically hazardous. Alcohol use may have
continued despite the knowledge of persistent physical and psychological problems
(American Psychiatric Association, 2013). Alcohol use is also marked by an increase in the
need to consume larger volumes for one to achieve intoxication. Failure to consume alcohol
is marked by withdrawal symptoms.
Biological factors
In evaluating the biological aspects of an alcohol use disorder, it is important to
analyze the amount of alcohol consumed. A diagnostic criterion for evaluating alcohol
consumption must include the amount of alcohol consumed. Evaluating the amount of

alcohol consumed gives one the opportunity to evaluate consumption outcomes.
Consumption outcomes include the percentage of days abstinent and the percentage of heavy
drinking days (Kirouac & Witkiewitz, 2019). Researchers have been advocating for
consumption-based diagnostic criteria to be integrated into the diagnostic criteria of alcohol
use disorder. Intoxication requires the biological functioning of the body to be altered. It is,
therefore, important to evaluate how alcohol affects the brain purely from a biological point
of view.
Prevention of the disorder
Alcohol use disorder is a serious problem that currently affects society. Prevention
must begin at adolescence. Efforts to prevent the abuse of alcohol must focus on young
people (Knox et al., 2019). Young people in schools need to be taught the need to ensure that
they do not engage in alcohol consumption and drug abuse. Counseling individuals early
before they become addicted has also proven to be effective.
Treatment of the disorder
Treatment of alcohol use disorder can either be done through a behavioral approach or
the use of medications. An alcohol addict may be taken through counseling with the aim of
ensuring that they stop abusing alcohol (Knox et al., 2019). However, alcohol abuse arises
from the complex interaction of neurobiological, genetic, and environmental factors. The
implication is that no treatment can work for everyone (Knox et al., 2019). Cognitive-
behavioral therapy is one way through which patients with the disorder can get help.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy ensures that negative behaviors are challenged (Knox et al.,
2019). Various medications can also be used to treat the disorder. Medications help people to
stop abusing alcohol and also to ensure that they do not relapse after quitting. Examples of
medications that can be used are disulfiram.

Reasons for relapse
There are many reasons why one may experience a relapse. One major reason relates
to stress. When one is stressed, they are likely to resort to alcohol consumption as a remedy
for their stress (Knox et al., 2019). The first instinct when one is stressed is to reach for the
drug of their choice. High expectations from others may also be a problem that causes one to
relapse. An alcohol addict is connected to people and places that promote addictive behavior.
The people who the individual engaged in drinking habits may make one relapse. Certain
places may remind one of their addiction. It is important to avoid the behavior and instead
focus on the recovery process.

References

American Psychiatric Association. (2013). The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental
Disorders (5th ed.). Washington, D.C.: American Psychiatric Publishing.https://dsm-
psychiatryonline-org.proxy-
library.ashford.edu/doi/10.1176/appi.books.9780890425596.dsm16#
Kirouac, M., & Witkiewitz, K. (2019). Predictive value of non‐consumption outcome
measures in alcohol use disorder treatment. Addiction, 114(6), 1086-1092.
Knox, J., Hasin, D. S., Larson, F. R., & Kranzler, H. R. (2019). Prevention, screening, and
treatment for heavy drinking and alcohol use disorder. The Lancet Psychiatry, 6(12),
1054-1067.