The Dynamics of Alcohol Abuse and Alcohol Dependency †Health Essay

The Dynamics of Alcohol Abuse and Alcohol Dependency – Health Essay Free Online Research Papers The Dynamics of Alcohol Abuse and Alcohol Dependency Health Essay Alcohol is an extremely dangerous substance, not only does it do a lot of damage to the drinker physically and emotionally, it also harms others around them such as family, friends and the society in general (Gmel, Rehm, 2003). This essay will look at the dynamics of alcohol, addiction, past and present approaches of alcoholism and the neurological networks of alcoholism. According to Steve M. (2000) â€Å"alcoholism is a dynamic and progressive illness, which may take years and even decades to develop into an easily identifiable condition.† Alcoholism appears to have three main stages that show the gradual step toward alcoholism. These stages consist of exposure or experimentation, which is almost like the first introduction to alcohol, many people are usually under the legal age when they first learn about or have a taste of alcohol. The second is learned, habitual-behavioural reliance, this is the stage when alcohol is used to party, relax, flirt or even reward oneself. The last is chronic dependency; this is when alcohol dependency is stretched out over a long period of time (Steve M, 2000). These stages are all different, yet they all have some sort of similarities that overlap each other which can make it hard to see what stage a person maybe up to or past for that matter (Steve M, 2000). Medical Library (2003) states that â€Å"Addiction is a dependence on a behaviour or substance that a person is powerless to stop.† There are many factors that influence an addiction these are such things as genetic factors, drugs, some which are generally more addictive then others, or social learning meaning that the environment in which one is in may have a major influence on an addiction (Medical Library, 2003). Addiction is extremely hard to break for some people and takes a lot of will power. There are two main types of addiction the first being substance addiction, which include alcohol, smoking, illegal and legal drugs. The second is process addiction this includes excessive shopping and spending money, over eating, or even gambling (Medical Library, 2003). There have been many different approaches to alcoholism over the years, this is because there is always new research and ideas found that helps in understanding alcohol, how it may occur in people and why it does in some and not others. In the past alcoholism has been seen as a moral disorder, therefore people who where classified as alcoholics had been considered to have a weak character (Steve M, 2000). Yet it is not only society who thought this of alcoholics it was also the church and AA. Although society now accepts different theories on alcoholism, the church and AA still believe in the past theories and perceptions, as they believe that alcoholism can only be over come through â€Å"spiritual awakening and the belief in god and a higher power† (Steve M, 2000). The more modern approach to alcoholism is that it doesn’t matter how good or bad you are, alcoholism doesn’t care who it attacks, just like diabetes, you could be wealthy or poor, married or not married it doesn’t matter. Research now shows that genetics and environmental factors play a major part in alcohol and it addictiveness, it is believed that it is easily past down through generations of families (Medical Library, 2003). In the last thirty years of research the theory that genetics play a part in alcoholism has been proven. One type of research done to prove this theory was that of adopted children. It showed that children who had alcoholism through out their biological families and who were separated at birth from their parents seemed to have a higher risk of becoming addicted to alcohol then other children in the same situation whose biological parents where not alcoholics (Cross, 2004). Dopamine is a substance produced in the body which gives a feeling of well being when it is stimulated, so when there is a deficiency in dopamine in the body the opposite will happen. The theory in relation to alcohol is that people with a deficiency in dopamine are more likely to drink alcohol as it stimulates dopamine production and gives a sense of pleaser (Peele, 2004). The neurological networks of alcoholism have been shown to be a major part of the modern approaches to alcohol abuse and dependency; this is because it traces the path of alcohol through the body, allowing researchers to see what effects alcohol has on the brain. Alcohol works on neurotransmitters, the dopamine system is affected the most. This neurotransmitter is the one which provides the pleaser rush felt by people in life. It is what makes eating and drinking feel so good (Steve M, 2000). When there is a deficiency in dopamine the body has to find other ways to get pleaser and therefore will find anything that gives a good feeling. This is where alcohol plays a part as it stimulates more dopamine receptors and makes that body feel that alcohol is an important substance and that it needs it constantly (Steve M, 2000). Alcoholism is an illness that many people in this society suffer from whether one believes the past approach or the present. Alcohol and its dynamics are extremely large and sometimes complicated as it can stem into other illness and therefore become an even larger problem. It can weave its self through the physical and psychological traits and there for be an unclear illness (NIAAA, 2001) . References Cross, C., The welcome trust. Genes and alcoholism (2004). Retrieved October 7, 2004, from wellcome.ac.uk/en/genome/genesandbody/hg06f013.html Gmel, G., Rehm, J. (2003). Harmful alcohol use. Alcohol Research Health, 27(1), 52-62. Medical Library, Addiction (2003). Retrieved October 7, 2004, from chclibrary.org/micromed/00036220.html National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, alcoholism getting the Facts (2001). Retrieved October 8, 2004, from niaaa.nih.gov/publications/booklet.htm SOS, Factors in the causation development of Alcoholism. (2000). Retrieved October 7, 2004, from secularsobriety.org/causes.html The Stanton peele addiction website (2004). Retrieved October 8, 2004, from peele.net/faq/p3waves.html Research Papers on The Dynamics of Alcohol Abuse and Alcohol Dependency - Health EssayThe Relationship Between Delinquency and Drug UseBook Review on The Autobiography of Malcolm XMoral and Ethical Issues in Hiring New EmployeesThe Effects of Illegal ImmigrationInfluences of Socio-Economic Status of Married MalesGenetic EngineeringBionic Assembly System: A New Concept of SelfThree Concepts of PsychodynamicIncorporating Risk and Uncertainty Factor in CapitalTwilight of the UAW

What to Do With a Low SAT

What to Do With a Low SAT/ACT Score SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips You got your SAT/ACT score back, and it isn't what you'd hoped it'd be. Even though the SAT and ACT are each just a few hours long, the score you get often counts for a third or more of college admissions and can therefore have a big impact on your future. The fact that you're looking for solutions is a good first step. It's important, now more than ever, not to freak out and to instead calmly plan the best steps forward. In this article, we go over our top four tips for what to do with a low SAT or ACT score. Tip 1: Take the ACT/SAT Again Unless you're taking the ACT/SAT in December or February of your senior year, chances are you'll have another opportunity to take the test. The earlier you are in high school, the more time you'll have to work on improving your test score. If you're reading this in the fall of your senior year and still want to try to raise your test scores before you apply to college, I suggest getting online right now and registering for the next SAT or ACT (but you should first confirm that its scores will get to your schools in time). Taking the ACT/SAT is so powerful that, even if you don't prep much, your expected superscore can increase substantially (see here why superscoring means you should take it again). However, to make the most of a retake, you'll want to prep. To find out what the best way to prep is, check out our free book comparing SAT/ACT test prep methods. Tip 2: Take the Other Test If you've been taking only the ACT without having considered the SAT, try the SAT, and vice versa. The two tests actually have a lot of similarities these days, so you shouldn't have too much trouble switching to another test. If you're still not sure which test you'd be better at, take a look at our surefire "gold standard" technique to figure out the better test for you. Some students perform substantially better on one test;therefore, it's important to make sure you're taking the right test for you! Tip 3: Examine the Reasons You Did Poorly on the ACT/SAT It's important to analytically break down the reasons you did poorly on the ACT/SAT. For the SAT, you canrequest a copy of the test you took with your responses throughthe College Board's Question-and-Answer Service. This service lets you go over your incorrect answers and think about the reasons you might've got them wrong. This final tabulation can give you a clearer idea as to what you need to improve on a retake. If you took the ACT, you can request a Test Information Release (TIR). This service is similar to the SAT one above in that it lets you see your questions, answers, and an answer key. Once again, you can use this to your advantage by getting a better picture of your strengths and weaknesses. Once you understand what your weak points are on your test, you can target these more effectively using focused prep and official practice materials for the ACT and SAT. Tip 4: Get Stronger in Other Areas Good SAT/ACT scores are one of the quickest ways to bolster your admission chances. However, schools do look for other indications of your academic abilities and potential as well. In short, you can't just rely on your test scores alone! Here are some features that are certain to boost your chances of admission: A high GPA:To raise your GPA, you'll need to study hard for tests, do your homework correctly and turn it in on time, and pay more attention to your teachers during class. Quality recommendation letters:If you want solid recommendation letters for your college applications, you must take the time to develop strong relationships with your teachers over a number of years. Clubs: Extracurriculars can show that you're a committed and active student. But don't just join clubs- do well in them, too! Be aware that there is a catch, though. All of these qualities generally take years to develop, and if you have years, you might as well work on raising your SAT/ACT scores, too (which can improve substantially after intense, focused studying). If you don't have much time left before your applications are due, however, your two best options are as follows: Write a great admission essay:Pouring some extra time into your personal statement can leave a positive, lasting impression on the admission committee, even if the rest of your application isn't as strong. Word your application carefully:It's worthwhile to spend time making sure your overall application- especially any short responses- are the best quality possible. Ultimately, a lower SAT/ACT score doesn't necessarily mean that you won't get into the college of your dreams. Even if you don't make any big improvements on the ACT/SAT, you might still have a chance if you just pay a little more attention to other parts of your application! What's Next? What's a good SAT score? A good ACT score?Read our guides to learn what score you'll need on each exam to be considered good and great. Need more tips to help you get a great SAT/ACT score? Check out our comprehensive guides to learn the best SAT tips and ACT tricks out there. Want to improve your SAT score by 160 points or your ACT score by 4 points?We've written a guide for each test about the top 5 strategies you must be using to have a shot at improving your score. Download it for free now: