Abstract
This paper examined the research for the extent to which alcohol myopia theory had been supported by the existing literature, and the magnitude of that support. The theory suggests there is a connection between alcohol consumption and risk taking behavior. It was concluded that some support was found but that more research needed to be conducted.

From the Paper
"According to Washton and Zweben there have long been concerns about the effects of alcohol on the behavior of adolescents and young adults most especially as it relates to risk-taking behavior. One theory of how alcohol affects the behavior of adolescents and young adults is that of 'alcohol myopia' which Kaly Heesacker and Frost state has been the focus of a great deal of empirical research on both high school and collegiate alcohol intake and high risk behaviors. With respect to the..."

Tags:alcohol, alcohol myopia theory, sexual, risky behavior

Abstract
This paper focuses on the theory of alcohol myopia, which attests that alcohol intoxication makes a person more or less likely to act in a risky fashion, depending on salient environmental cues. The paper explains that though much popular thinking related to alcohol intoxication and behaviour runs along the lines of disinhibition - the belief that intoxicated individuals will act in a risky fashion regardless of environmental cutes - studies have shown that alcohol myopia is also a common trend associated with determining behavior.

From the Paper
" Alcohol myopia theory attests that alcohol intoxication makes a person more or less likely to act in a risky fashion, depending on salient environmental cutes (MacDonald, Fong, Zanna and Martineau, 2000, p. 605). Though much popular thinking related to alcohol intoxication and behaviour runs along the lines of disinhibition - the belief that intoxicated individuals will act in a risky fashion regardless of environmental cutes - studies have shown that alcohol myopia is also a common trend associated with determining behaviour (ibid, p. 617). Studies also have found that it ..."

Tags:impairment, intoxication, drinking, mind

Abstract
This paper discusses a research experiment into whether alcohol use, regardless of environmental cues, is linked to increased likelihood to engage in unsafe sex - that is, to not use condoms. The paper analyzes whether alcohol intoxication, triggered by environmental cues, can result in risky behavior. The paper presents the experiment design and how the research was conducted.

Table of Contents:
Experimental Design
Non-Experimental/Correlation Design
Conclusion

From the Paper
"Alcohol is linked with risky behavior by researchers, the media and popular culture. Alcohol myopia theory has proven in a number of experiments that intoxicated individuals are not as susceptible to mild or submissive environmental cues, however, as much as suggestive cues. Nevertheless, alcohol consumption is a large part of social relaxation for many people, and the risky behavior and interpretative thinking intoxicated people engage in are therefore important fodder for study. The former study outlined above tests environmental cues associated with intoxication in the form of the subject matter of a movie; the latter experiment tests environmental cues in terms of public displays of acceptable, outlandish drunken behavior."

Tags:intoxication, condom, environment, drunk

Abstract
This paper presents a detailed discussion on the ways that alcohol impacts sexual behavior. Teenage drinking, unsafe sex, and date rape are all discussed in the context of how alcohol contributes to these problems. Also discussed are interventions and treatment programs.

Tags:relationship, alcohol, sex

Abstract
This paper summarizes a research proposal to determine what links exist between alcoholism as a learned behavior (rather than as a condition arising from any genetic predisposition) and self-esteem. This research is based upon the assumption that there is a direct connection between self-esteem and learned behaviors. Drawing from the recent work of a number of other researchers, this research argues that because alcoholism is, in large measure, a learned behavior it has a substantial negative effect upon the self-esteem of alcoholics who blame themselves for their drinking and, understanding the harm that they are doing to themselves and to those around them, suffer from lowered self-esteem.

From the Paper
"Our attitudes about alcoholism have changed dramatically over the last fifty years as our conception of the condition "which causes so much harm and so much grief to so many people, including both the alcoholics themselves and to others" as one that was a matter of complete free will to a question of genetics. That pendulum is slowly swinging back now to viewing alcoholism as a learned behavior, although there is little doubt that there is some element of genetic predisposition to the condition. This research proposes to answer the question of whether the learned aspects of alcoholism are more significant than the genetic elements of it and, if so, how this fact should affect the way in which social workers treat alcoholics and their families."

Tags:alcoholic, drinking, treatment, behavioral, learning, theories, habitual, conditioned, response, sober

Abstract
This paper studies current research on the impact of drinking alcohol on one's decision to engage in risky sexual behavior. The paper's extensive literature review indicates that despite the social stigma that may be associated with certain drinking and sexual behavior activities, there remains strong social and peer pressure to participate in both activities. The paper also demonstrates how the linkage between consumption of alcohol and sexual activity begins at relatively young ages in American and western culture. The author of this paper attempts to clarify statistics regarding drinking and sexual behavior, as well as recommendations regarding the connection. Specifically, high-risk sexual behavior among various age and social groups is addressed, such as sexual rebellion and conformity, compulsive or uneducated choices, exposure to sexually transmitted diseases, and sexual assault.

From the Paper
"The University of Arkansas for Medical Studies has found that attitudes about appropriate sexual behavior, as well as those regarding appropriate alcohol consumption, are formed in youth at a very young age, and by the preteen years children have already developed a unique attitude regarding these subjects. A Thomson Healthcare Company (2004) report reveals that risky behavior may be minimized in adolescents and young adults if parents were to discuss standards and beliefs on sexual and other issues with children at a younger age, because relating these values to older children is not as effective. Alcohol use has been shown to lead to early initiation of sexual activity, as well as being related to the number of sexual partners that preteens and adolescents will have, particularly in high-risk groups. These high-risk youth groups include inner-city females, males in detention homes, and gay and bisexual males. Alcohol is not the only substance that is prevalent in these high-risk groups; marijuana is also associated with altered sexual statistics. Intervention treatment for youths to help curb consumption of alcohol may also help delay sexual activity, or decrease the number of sexual partners and overall risk associated with sexual activity, are encouraged as early as 9 to 12 years of age."

Tags:sex rape sexual assault drinking beer risk aids sexually trans, otted disease teenager underage

Abstract
This paper discusses the cognitive symptoms associated with alcohol abuse, as well as short-term memory and learning problems that have been shown to be affected in people who chronically abuse alcohol. The paper describes the Transtheoretical Stages of Change Model. It then goes on to describe behaviors associated with chronic alcohol abuse and the possibility of successful behavior change.

From the Paper
"Alcoholism, which is characterized by cravings or compulsions to drink, the inability to limit alcohol intake, physical dependence and tolerance, currently affects nearly 14 million Americans while an additional several million engage in problem drinking that could lead to alcohol abuse. Thus, one in 13 American adults is a diagnosed alcoholic, while 53% of men and women in the United States report that one or more of their relatives have a drinking problem (Blume et al. 2004). University populations however, have higher prevalence rates of alcoholism than the general public, with binge drinking identified as the number one substance abuse problem in university life; 44% of students were classified as binge drinkers in large-scale university studies (Weschler, Dowdall, Davenport, & Castillo 1995)."

Tags:addiction, cognitive, environmental, therapy, tolerance, triggers, withdrawal

Abstract
The paper describes and provides a critique regarding an article that discusses the role of high-risk behaviors in those diagnosed with HIV, who also possess problems with substance abuse of a variety of types. The paper explains that it is expected that treatment options are a limited factor in the reduction of these risky behaviors in HIV-infected adults.

From the Paper
"The incidence of negative behaviors in individuals that have been diagnosed with HIV is quite extensive in many cases, particularly when there are many existing challenges that these individuals face, including alcoholism and other related problems (Palepu et al., 2004). A wide body of research suggests that there are many concerns regarding high-risk behaviors, such as sexual activity and drug use, which pose a number of problems for these individuals (Palepu et.al, 2004). The following discussion will evaluate the study objectives and the overall effectiveness of this study and its influence on research related to this topic. The proposed study attempted to identify the various risks associated with negative behaviors in those that had been diagnosed with HIV, based upon a prior history of alcoholism within the individual's life (Palepu et al., 2004)."

Tags:article, critique, hiv

Abstract
The paper relates that there is a general consensus that there is a correlation between negative school and family environments and future deviant or criminal behavior. The paper looks at studies that show that dysfunctional families, dysfunctional schools, and racism in a dysfunctional society generate and/or intensify cynicism, anti-social behavior, and deviance in adolescents. The paper describes how adolescents often engage in rebellion, drug or alcohol abuse, or criminal behavior in order to vent their anger and express their disillusionment and contempt for authority.

From the Paper
"Many studies have examined the impact of schools and family on future deviant or criminal behavior, and although conclusions have varied regarding the degree of impact, there is a general consensus that there is a correlation between negative school and family environments and future deviant or criminal behavior. Study after study has shown that dysfunctional families, dysfunctional schools, and racism in a dysfunctional society generate and/or intensify cynicism, anti-social..."

Tags:schools, families, deviance

Abstract
This paper describes strategies for coping with the underlying health risk factors that have been deemed related to the high drug and alcohol abuse rates among the young women of Australia. The paper uses these strategies as a basis for the methods suggested for decreasing the risky behaviors of these women. Finally, the paper also considers the role that general practitioners should have in identifying and preventing these behaviors.

Introduction
Identifying the Appropriate Media for Communicating with the Target Population
Strategies for Coping with the Depression-Based Risky Behaviours
Conclusion

From the Paper
"According to Australia's Teen Challenge Web site, "Alcohol is the most widely used recreational drug in Australia." Unfortunately, because it can be used in socially acceptable ways, it is not often recognized as a drug, especially by those abusing it. So it is not surprising that a 1998 survey commissioned by the Commonwealth Department of Health and Aged Care found that the use of alcohol was of special concern in teenagers and young people up to the age of 25. The young adults described alcohol as a catalyst for social gatherings, although overall, fewer young adults were drinking (down from 77 percent in 1988 to 71 percent in 1998) but that those who were drinking were drinking more."

Tags:adolescence, damaging, solutions, marijuana, psychological, illicit, inhalants, heroin, amphetamines, cocaine, lsd