Alcoholism and Domestic Violence

alcoholic beverageic drinkism, also cognise as intoxicant dependence, is unfortunately a widespread ailment which spans great deal of all age groups and socioeconomic levels. The wellness risks of this disorder, and alcoholism is a disease, ar as widespread as the individuals who ratify it. In addition to these health risks, alcoholism is also an influencing factor in another problem plaguing societies, domestic military force. Thus, alcohol and anger create a mosttimes fatal combination. inebriantism is a disease which can be draw by degree. Alcohol dependence describes individuals who hit developed a nonadaptive pattern of alcohol consumption which is characterized by a developing alcohol tolerance, masturbation symptoms, or hangovers, and the inability to stop alcoholism. It doesnt stop in that respect People with alcohol dependence whitethorn progress to alcohol misuse which can significantly interfere with their social lives, their work or their social relation ships.In addition, this evil can also cause a host of associate issues including major depression, dysthymia, mania, hypomania, panic disorder, phobias, generalized anxiety disorder, personality disorders, any do doses use disorder,schizophrenia, and suicide (Cargiulo 2007). According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), drinking up to 14 drinks in a week for men or s make up drinks per week as a woman could indicate alcohol dependence. In addition, the NIAAA estimates that up to nearly 18 million Americans could be considered alcoholics (Lauer 2006).Despite the many mental and physiological problems that are associated with alcoholism, some of the most frightening are the health problems associated with the header. Evidence exists that shows the damage that alcohol consumption does to the brain. Brain imaging studies have revealed that people with alcoholism have significant differences in parts of their brains than those without alcoholism. The br ain volume is cut down in alcoholics as well as the prodigal flow to the brain.The reduced blood flow has been linked to a lowering of inhibitions and memory, impaired cognitive incline in general and even damage to the corpus callosum (Cargiulo 2007). These problems can cover to long term brain damage. Lesions in the brain form in those with long term patterns of alcohol abuse. This can translate into Korsakoffs disease which is characterized by motor impairment and thinking impairments which can affect a persons ability to care for himself. In the end, the individual may have to be cared for institutionally.Alcohol affects the neurotransmitters in the brain. As the disease progresses to chronic status, the brain cells begin to adapt to the alcohol that seems to reside permanently in the brain. As a result, the brain becomes reliant on the alcohol to work. If alcohol is removed, the symptoms of withdrawal take longer and longer to subside. Ultimately, the brain tissue will rebe l, in a way, and the withdrawal symptoms can be severe, even fatal. Once the cells in the brain die, they cannot be regenerated (Shoemaker 2003). These make seem to affect males to a greater degree than females.This fact can be explained by differences in drinking patters, choice of alcoholic drinks, rate of alcohol metabolism and the protective effectuate of horm wizards such as estrogen (de Bruin, 2005) As such, alcohol dependency and abuse is three times much prominent in men as it is in women even though evidence suggests that for both genders, the numbers are underreported (Cargiulo 2007). As if the physical effects on the body were not seriously enough, the behaviors of individuals who are addicted to alcohol are also quite dangerous.The drinkers risk themselves to be less inhibited and more than willing to engage in risky behaviors. Many of these behaviors can be characterized as aggressive and violent. ace of the worst that researchers find among alcoholics is domest ic rage or intimate retainer violence (IPV). The Academy of interior(prenominal) Violence has defined domestic violence as a deliberate pattern of scurrilous tactics utilise by one henchman in an intimate relationship to reserve and maintain power and underwrite over the other person which includes physical, sexual, psychological, activated and economic abuses (Niolon 2004)The types of domestic violence have been organized by Dr. Richard Niolon (2004). He identifies one type as common couple violence which occurs in one or two isolated incidences over the course of the couples relationship. though painful at the time, this type is not usually seen as a recurring pattern of abuse and control. The second type is identified by Niolon (2004) as intimate terrorism in which violence is used as a means of manipulation and control relatively regularly.Mutual violent control occurs more often when both the male and the female fight several(prenominal)ly other, and dysphoric-borderli ne violence is indicative of a dependent, emotional fragile individual who resorts to violence as a last resort. This type of violence often occurs when the handle person in the relationship snaps and lashes out violently against the other partner or when a new set of circumstances radically increases the thwarting levels of one of the partners in the relationship, and he or she lashes out as a result of this new situation (Niolon 2004).These comprises of violence typically follow a predictable cycle. The first stage of this cycle is a calm peak in which tension slowly builds. Minor incidents may occur in this stage which can continue for various periods of time. The second stage is the one in which the abuser seems to explode and actually engage in the violence. away parties may have to intervene to stop the onslaught. The third states is called the honeymoon stage because the abuser will show distinct remorse for his actions, apologize profusely, and even shower the abused w ith gifts and affection, even promises.Unfortunately, the abused is likely to forgive the abuser at this point. (Niolon 2004). Risk factors for IPV include lower educational levels, lower income and/or employment levels, and, of course, alcohol misuse (Jeyaseelan, 2004). Sadly, alcohol and IPV often do go hand in hand. Not surprising, the most common locations for IPV to occur is in the home and at bars. According to interviews with abused wives, men were much more likely to have been drinking during the attacks than not.When the abusive husbands were interviewed, they reported to have had at least six drinks before the onset of the violence (Quigley and Leonard, 2004/2005). Thus the connective of alcoholism and IPV is shown. When drinking, a dangerous combination of increased aggression and reduced inhibition lead to these batterings. Many studies support this problem, which again seems to afflict more men than women. Quigley and Leonard (2004/2005) recount a study by Kaufman, Kan tor and Straus in 1990 which undercoat that the husbands heavy drinking was associated with husband on wife violence.Further studies show that a husband who drinks early in marriage is more prone to IPV later in marriage, and husbands who drink heavily before marriage are more likely to be violent toward their wives in the very first class of marriage (Quigley and Leonard, 2004/2005). In addition, these authors cite Caetano in noting that there are racial differences involved in IPC. They note that nineteen percent of European American husbands and 24 percent of Hispanic husbands who drank at least five drinks a week committed IPV, as opposed to 40 percent of African American husbands who drank (Quigley and Leonard, 2004/2005).This has harrowing implications for women of all races, particularly African American women. Galvani (2004) gives several possible reasons why this may be true. Physiological theories argue that ethanol, the drug in alcohol increase aggression biologically. A scheme known as Disinhibition surmisal notes the earlier link between alcohol and cognitive function, specifically the portion of the brain mentioned above that regulates levels if inhibition. The Deviance Disavowal theory argues that the abusers use alcohol as a reason for their behavior and consciously drinks so that they can blame the alcohol for their actions.Social Learning theories explain that people will act in a way based on their experiences around others. Therefore, parents and societal expectations can lead to alcoholic abuse and abusive behaviors (Galvani, 2004). Both alcoholism and IPV are scourges upon society, creating physical and mental damage. When these are combined, their effects are even stronger and more widespread. With hope, individuals who find themselves in these situations will currently seek help to avoid permanent tragedy. References Cargiulo, T. (2007).Understanding the health impact of alcohol dependence. American Journal of Health-System Pharma cy 64 S1-S17 De Bruin, EA. (2005) Does alcohol intake continue to brain volume loss? The Brown University Digest of Addiction Theory & Application 24 (7) 5-6 Galvani, S. (2004). Responsible disinhibition Alcohol, men and violence to women. Addiction look for & Theory 12 (4) 357-371 Jeyaseelan, L et al. (2004). World studies of abuse in the family environs risk factors for physical intimate partner violence.Injury Control & Safety advance 11 (2) 117-124. Lauer, CS. (2006). When drinking turns serious. Modern Healthcare 36 (16) 22 Niolan, R. (2004). Types and Cycles of Domestic Violence. Retrieved 1 May 207 from http//www. psychpage. com/learning/index. html Quigley, BM & Leonard, KE. (2004/2005). Alcohol usance and Violence Among Young Adults. Alcohol Research & Health 28 (4) 191-194 Shoemaker, W. (2003). Alcohols Effects on the Brain. 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