Abstract This article illustrates the physiological and biological effects of alcoholism on the mind and body of a drinker, in light of medical and factual details. It explains the various health perils susceptible to various organs of the body such as brain, liver and pancreas caused by hard drinking. Detailed analysis with regard to genetics and brain damage at cellular level is discussed addressing the effects of dopamine. Lastly, alcohol recovery through different chemical detoxification approaches is considered with regards to effectiveness.
Contents:
Abstract
Introduction
Effects of Alcohol upon the Brain
Other Effects of Alcohol upon the Body
Conclusion
From the Paper "Many of the neurons (brain cells) of a long-time Alcoholic begin to die; consequently their brain is different from a normal brain. Scanning procedures, Computed Tomography (CT) or Positron Emission Tomography (PET) reveal that the total volume of an alcoholic's brain undergoes shrinkage due to permanent and irreplaceable death of cells. Moreover, Alcohol adversely affects different neurotransmitter systems in the brain; in low amounts it upsets the Gamma Amino Butyric Acid or the GABA system. It is noted that this effect is more pronounced in men than in women. Incase of higher levels it affects another common transmitter system called NMDA glutamate. Among chronic drinkers, brain cells and tissues adapt to the alcoholic fluid environments. These adaptations deal with excitement and inhibition control."
Abstract This paper paper explores toxins and how they can affect the human body and looks at the benefits of drinking water. The paper talks about the increased exposure to toxins, some of the causes of this increase, where toxins come from, and the need for and process of detoxification. The paper also talks about the importance of drinking water and how it aids in the detoxification process. Included are a variety of charts and graphs about water.
From the Paper "Humans today are finding their bodies barraged with many more substances than ever before. There is an increase in use of ?pesticides, additives and chemicals, as well as the amount of steroids, hormones and antibiotics fed to animals readied for human consumption (unknown, Toronto Star).? The number of "smog alert" days during the summer continue to increase and there is concern about how safe chlorinated water really is. All of this provides proof that humans are eating, drinking and breathing more toxins than ever before."
Abstract This paper explains that the more common personal health care style is a collective health care process, called alternative medicine or complementary medicine, which includes elements of allopathic practice, non-natural medicine and surgery and of natural medicine. The author points out the idea that natural medicine is actually traditional medicine and should be looked at as such, with benefits and drawbacks, just as allopathic medicine is consider by many people. As an example of the presented natural health therapies; the paper relates that the Alexander technique, both a natural health practice and a restorative natural medical treatment, is a technique used to reduce repetitive motion injury by retraining the body to move in a different, more natural way.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Natural Health
Hydrotherapy
Herbalism
Eclectic Medicine
Natural Hygiene
Natural Philosophy
Natural Healing
Natural Medicine
Fingernail and Tongue Analysis
Iridology
Hair Analysis
Live Blood Analysis (Darkfield Microscopy) and Dry Blood Analysis
Antibody (IgE, IgG) Test for Food Allergies
Acid-Alkaline Balance (Ph Testing)
Alternative Therapies
Acupuncture
Acupressure
Air Supply Personal Air Purifier
Alexander Technique.
Aromatherapy
Astropulse
Ayurveda
Bathing Therapy
Biomagnetics (Magnetic Field Energy Therapy)
Electro-Dermal Screening
Chelation Therapy
Chi Lel
Chiropractic Treatment
Colloidal Silver Therapy
Colonic Therapy (Colon Lavage, Colon Hydrotherapy)
Color Therapy (Chromotherapy)
Crystal Healing
Dental Amalgam Mercury Removal
Detoxification Therapy
Reflexology
Shiatsu
Rolfing
Fasting
Feng Shui Balance
Flower Essence Therapy
Food Detoxification Flotation Tank
Glandular Therapy
Prayer
Guided Imagery (Visualization)
Herbal Medicine
Homeopathy
Hydrotherapy
Hypnotherapy
Hydrogen Peroxide Therapy
Juicing
Kinesiology
Laughter (Play) Therapy
Light Beam Generator Therapy
Light Therapy (Solar Therapy)
Lymphatic Therapy
Macrobiotics Diet
Massage Therapy
Moxibustion
Music and Sound Therapy
Naturopathy
Osteopathy
Oxygen Therapy
Radionics (Radiesthesia Dowsing), Reflexology
Reiki (Therapeutic Touch)
Infrared Heat Therapy
Vitamin C Therapy
Yoga
Holistic Nutrition
Food Safety
Exercise
Conventional Medicine
Maintaining Health
From the Paper "In the time surrounding the Revolutionary War (1775-1783), in America, medicine was often seen as a part-time practice, conducted by laywomen and men who had a vocation for the healing arts or who inherited the knowledge from ancestral teachers. These healers who took care of their friends and families illnesses, injuries and births performed most medicine, outside the major centers of population. "Of course, these natural healing practices varied from locality to locality with major cities, like Boston, Philadelphia, and New York City having hospitals and other medical practices approaching those found in Europe.""
Introduction
Pre- Trial Intervention
Drug Courts
Statutory Diversion
TASC Programs
Mediation Programs
Victim - Offender Mediation Programs
Community Dispute Resolution Programs
Alcohol Detoxification Centers
Manhattan Bowery Corporation
Decriminalization
Future of Diversion Programs
Conclusion
Works Cited Page
From the Paper In today's society it has become necessary for the criminal justice system to attempt to employ mores alternatives to the traditional prosecution of cases. It was from this need that Diversion Programs were born. These programs were set up to benefit both the offender and the criminal justice system.
There are several benefits for offenders that these diversion programs offer. It allows an eligible offender to be quickly evaluated and have intervention proceed. After identified as an eligible offender, personalized help can be offered. Help such as drug and alcohol counseling, medical care and different forms of education. Diversion also lessens the trauma to the offender, from an emotional and economic point of view, due to facing possible criminal prosecution. As a whole, these programs give offenders an opportunity to be diverted out of the criminal justice system and get a second chance to redeem themselves.
Abstract The paper introduces alcoholism, defining it as a disease that is chronic, incurable and causes the person to need the alcohol in order to function. The paper discusses symptoms of alcoholism and then proceeds to study forms of treatment such as detoxification and AA. Finally, the importance of the social worker's role in alcohol treatment is discussed and stressed.
From the Paper "One thing that has not been spoken about is how differently a patient will react to treatment if the patient is also suffering from one of the aforementioned conditions. An alcoholic with an addiction to cocaine will certainly react differently in a detox situation than an alcoholic with a nicotine addiction. Not to mention the possible presence of some type of liver damage, or other serious medical problem that could harm the patient far more than the treatment may be prepared for. Caseworkers face many life-altering decisions when it comes to the management of such cases of alcoholism and their comorbidity. It seems to be so common that research is really needed in order to aid workers recognize all of the possible complications, as well as the more appropriate treatment plan for these patients. (NIAAA, 1991)"
Abstract The paper describes Vicodin as one of the most commonly prescribed pain medications, especially for those suffering from lower back pain, arthritis, post-operative distress, malignant cancer or sports injuries. First the paper explains the chemicals in Vicodin which make it one of the most addictive painkillers on the market. It shows the dangers of the drug when mixed with alcohol, as well as to the fetus.The paper then examines reasons why people become addicted to Vicodin (for example, sports players who wish to continue playing with a sports injury) and provides a list of stars who are well-known Vicodin abusers, such as Michael Jackson and Sonny Bono. The paper discusses the effects of Vicodin abuse on the body and the mind and then explores various options available to abusers such as drug rehabilitation programs or detoxification. Finally, the paper discusses the effect of Vicodin abuse on society and what the medical world is doing about this problem.
From the Paper "One of the effects of Vicodin can be mental confusion. Hence, it is easy for an addict to accidentally overdose, in an attempt to achieve the wished-for euphoria. Symptoms of an overdose include a bluish tinge to the skin, a cold and clammy feeling, sweating, sleepiness, low blood pressure, limp muscles, nausea, slow or troubled breathing and a slowed heartbeat. In some cases, the addict slips into a coma and dies. Emergency room visits involving Vicodin increased from 6100 incidents in 1992, to more than 14,000 in 1999."
Abstract This paper explains the weaknesses of the American judicial system where drug addicts and dealers are trialed and punished but within a matter of weeks are out on the street again, often being rearrested before their parole is up. The writer looks at the new system which has been instituted in order to avoid this occurance - namely "drug courts". It explains what this system is - a unique court system for drug related crimes - and how, through this system, the courts hope to put an end to the vicious cycle of arrrests and convictions, with no purpose.
From the Paper "For the past several decades, drug use has had an overwhelming effect upon the American justice system, with drug and drug-related crime being the most common offense in almost every community (Drug Strategies, 1996). Beyond the troubling ability of these problems to fill prisons to capacity, the traditional judicial system seemed to have no deterrent effect on these crimes (Drug and Crime Facts, 1994). A disturbing "revolving door" pattern had emerged, with drug offenders moving through the system in a predictable pattern of arrest, prosecution, conviction, incarceration, and release. In a few weeks, sometimes only a few days, the same person was back in the system again, arrested for drug possession or a drug-related crime (National Association of Drug Court Professionals [NADCP], 1997). A particularly difficult problem faced by the system was the growing use of crack cocaine in the 1980s (Miller & Gold, 1994). The legislature passed tougher laws imposing longer sentences, such as the Comprehensive Crime Control Act of 1984 and the Anti-Drug Abuse Acts of 1986 and 1988, and the nation struggled to find a solution for its drug and crime problem ("The Effective National Drug Control Strategy," 1999)."
This paper describes the basic functions and structures of the liver with an emphasis on the processes involving the liver's ability to detoxify drugs from the bloodstream.
2,400 words (approx. 9.6 pages), 5 sources, 2002, $ 89.95
Abstract This paper discusses the detoxification process considering the role of alcohol in liver-damage, including the severity of scarring, and cirrhosis of the liver, each of which are a result of excess toxins in the liver. The author reviews recent research on liver-function regeneration in light of the difficulties in of obtaining liver transplants.
Abstract This paper extensively describes the various types of drug rehabilitation programs that exist today. Th author contends that recovery extends beyond the detoxification phase, and must be followed-up with responsible care. Various alternatives are presented.
Introduction
Employee Assistance Programs
Inpatient and Outpatient Treatment Programs
Treatment Modalities
Characteristics of a Successful Treatment Program
From the Paper "Drug rehabilitation is often a long-term process with many phases and facets. The first step in the rehabilitation process is detoxification. However this is usually not enough to change set patterns of addiction which may have been established over years of abuse. "Recovery from addiction involves an extended process which usually requires the help of drug addiction professionals. " (Drug-Rehabs.Org) Rehabilitation program have to take into account a variety of factors and aspects; such as the exposure to the same environment in which the addiction first occurred and workplace issues. The following are some of the main types of rehabilitation programs and treatments in use today. "
Abstract This paper reviews the issue of substance abuse and looks at the DARE substance abuse prevention program. According to the paper, the DARE program's goals lie with prevention instead of rehabilitation. The main purpose of this study paper is to determine the impact and success of DARE as a substance abuse prevention program.
Outline:
Chapter One
Introduction
Statement of the Problem
Purpose of the Study
Primary Research Question
Subsidiary Research Questions
Definition of Terms
Significance of the Study
Limitations of the Study
Organization of the Study
Chapter Two
Review of Related Literature
Chapter Three
Methodology
Data Sources
Materials
Procedures
Chapter Four
Data Analysis
Chapter Five
Conclusion
From the Paper "Unfortunately, programs like DARE do not appear to be working as well as hoped for the segment of society that they generally target. For example, a report from September of 2004 indicated that there was an increase in 2002 for treatment for substance abuse in those in the 12 to 17-year-old age group (Drug, 2004). This would indicate that these individuals are not remaining drug free, or they would not need to seek the assistance of a treatment program. According to many officials in the government, that continues to show a trend that has been evolving for over a decade. Between the years of 1992 and 2002 those in the 12 to 17-year-old age bracket that were admitted to any type of treatment program for substance abuse increased approximately 50 percent (Drug, 2004). "
Abstract The paper relates that high levels of dichloroacetate, a drinking water disinfectant and by-product, depleted glutathione-s-transferase's activity in studied rats. The paper reveals that those with a hereditary deficiency in the gene or enzyme appeared to have an increased risk of developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD). The paper looks at a study that connected the glutathione gene to the development of childhood asthma. The paper discusses another study that illustrated the significance of the glutathione gene in delaying the onset of breast cancer.
From the Paper "Dichloroacetate or DCA is a drinking water disinfectant and by-product commonly found in municipal water supplies (Saghir 2002). It is a metabolite of chlorinated industrial solvents and many pharmaceuticals. It is quickly and completely absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract and in extensively metabolized in both rodents and humans by major metabolites. Metabolism occurs primarily in the liver, mediated by Glutathione-s-Transferase GST [zeta] (GSTZ-1) (12). DCA inhibits Glutathione and prolonged exposure of rodents to DCA reduces metabolism and depletes immuno-reactive Glutathione protein levels from the liver."
Abstract This paper is written in the form of a revealing monologue by a drug addict in a detoxification center. The writer creatively and believably gives the reader a window into the mind of the persona, showing the progression from grade A student to indifferent drug abuser, and exposing how drugs cause delusions of invincibility in the user.
From the Paper "I, myself, am drowning in my routine now. I used to have this 'nice' life before: A-student, loving and caring parents, heap of friends and boyfriends, and all of what goes with it. Makes me smile when I think back about it. I was flying, flying very high above reality. Took me almost fifteen years to land. I know all about it now. How good grades just help you in front of your parents, but don't give you anything. Not even a personal satisfaction, you know. How loving and caring parents turn out to be depressed people, being aware of it or not. Look at my dad: too scared to live, too scared to die. How heaps of friends and boyfriends are just faces you add in your routine for a little while, and then once they are not seen everyday anymore, they disappear from your mind."
Tags: depressing, schedule, control, freedom, choice, help
