Alcoholism Support Group
Alcoholism is the continued consumption of alcoholic beverages, even when it is negatively affecting your health, work, relationships and life. If you think alcohol is causing you to lose control, it's time to seek help. Our group is a safe place to vent, check in, get back up if you fall, and reach sobriety.
Posted in Alcoholism by Cyndi Sarnoff-Ross on May 19, 2010
"Is alcoholism a type of mental health disorder?"
The answer to your question is yes. Alcoholism is a diagnosis present in the DSM IV (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) which is the book used by professionals to diagnose and help treat their patients. The new text which is the DSM V will be available sometime in 2011 or later and will revise the criteria for alcohol dependence but it will nevertheless remain a mental health disorder.
Below I have listed the information necessary to make a diagnosis for Substance Dependence which includes alcohol dependence. While the DSM is an extremely helpful tool which guides mental health professionals in the direction of a diagnosis that best suits their patient it should be noted that all of these criteria are subject to interpretation. It is for this reason that it is best to have a professional assessment of your personal situation, by a clinician or someone who specializes in the area of substance abuse, before arriving at any conclusions.
DSM-IV Criteria For Substance Dependence
A maladaptive pattern of substance use, leading to clinically significant impairment or distress, as manifested by three (or more) of the following occurring at any time in the same 12-month period:
(1) tolerance, as defined by either of the following:
(a) a need for markedly increased amounts of the substance to achieve intoxication or desired effect
(b) markedly diminished effect with continued use of the same amount of substance
(2) withdrawal, as manifested by either of the following:
(a) the characteristic withdrawal syndrome for the substance (refer to Criteria A and B of the criteria sets for Withdrawal from the specific substances)
(b) the same (or a closely related) substance is taken to relieve or avoid withdrawal symptoms
(3) the substance is often taken in larger amounts or over a longer period than was intended
(4) there is a persistent desire or unsuccessful efforts to cut down or control substance use
(5) a great deal of time is spent in activities necessary to obtain the substance (e.g., visiting multiple doctors or driving long distances), using the substance (e.g., chain-smoking), or recovering from its effects
(6) important social, occupational, or recreational activities are given up or reduced because of substance use
(7) the substance use is continued despite knowledge of having a persistent or recurrent physical or psychological problem that is likely to have been caused or exacerbated by the substance (e.g., current cocaine use despite recognition of cocaine-induced depression, or continued drinking despite recognition that an ulcer was made worse by consumption)
"Is alcoholism a type of mental health disorder?"
The answer to your question is yes. Alcoholism is a diagnosis present in the DSM IV (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) which is the book used by professionals to diagnose and help treat their patients. The new text which is the DSM V will be available sometime in 2011 or later and will revise the criteria for alcohol dependence but it will nevertheless remain a mental health disorder.
Below I have listed the information necessary to make a diagnosis for Substance Dependence which includes alcohol dependence. While the DSM is an extremely helpful tool which guides mental health professionals in the direction of a diagnosis that best suits their patient it should be noted that all of these criteria are subject to interpretation. It is for this reason that it is best to have a professional assessment of your personal situation, by a clinician or someone who specializes in the area of substance abuse, before arriving at any conclusions.
DSM-IV Criteria For Substance Dependence
A maladaptive pattern of substance use, leading to clinically significant impairment or distress, as manifested by three (or more) of the following occurring at any time in the same 12-month period:
(1) tolerance, as defined by either of the following:
(a) a need for markedly increased amounts of the substance to achieve intoxication or desired effect
(b) markedly diminished effect with continued use of the same amount of substance
(2) withdrawal, as manifested by either of the following:
(a) the characteristic withdrawal syndrome for the substance (refer to Criteria A and B of the criteria sets for Withdrawal from the specific substances)
(b) the same (or a closely related) substance is taken to relieve or avoid withdrawal symptoms
(3) the substance is often taken in larger amounts or over a longer period than was intended
(4) there is a persistent desire or unsuccessful efforts to cut down or control substance use
(5) a great deal of time is spent in activities necessary to obtain the substance (e.g., visiting multiple doctors or driving long distances), using the substance (e.g., chain-smoking), or recovering from its effects
(6) important social, occupational, or recreational activities are given up or reduced because of substance use
(7) the substance use is continued despite knowledge of having a persistent or recurrent physical or psychological problem that is likely to have been caused or exacerbated by the substance (e.g., current cocaine use despite recognition of cocaine-induced depression, or continued drinking despite recognition that an ulcer was made worse by consumption)
I once saw a scenario where one of my sponsees was back behind the big desk three days after he got out of his umpty-seventh detox. I have no idea what he told his clients about why he was away in the hospital for a week, but I'm willing to bet it wasn't the truth.
Father Martin Not a perfect quote , but close.