Anne Ross Library Blog

Friday, August 31, 2012

Alcoholism: Is it a Disease?

Dr Mary Jo Cannon, a professor at the University of Medicine & Health Sciences / International University of Nursing, had an interesting article published last week in the "Health" section of our local SKN Vibes (St. Kitts news) which examines the question "Is Alcoholism a disease?"
Have you every considered the people you know in your life who always seem to be 'under the influence' as actually 'patients' who are suffering from a terrible disease?

Dr. Cannon states,"Alcoholism meets the standard definition of a disease better than multiple sclerosis or schizophrenia, two diseases for which the pathophysiology is far less clearly understood.Yet people with these diseases are recognized as qualifying to be ‘patients."

I challenge you to read this article and think about this issue as it does effect you, and those around you, in many more ways than you may realize. As for our nursing and medicine students, being vigilant and cognizant with regards to alcoholism and other possible addictions when serving your patients, will result in a more satisfatory health outcome. Three simple screening tests to help you identify patients with an alcohol problem are available on the NIAAA website (The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism).

Labels: addictions medicine, alcohol consumption, alcoholism, Dr. Mary Jo Cannon, IUON, mental disorders, mental health, NIAAA, UMHS-SK

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

What is 'binge drinking'?

Some innovative medical students from the University of Southampton (UK) along with assistance from the Southampton University Hospitals Trust(SUHT) Liver Team and the Alcohol Education and Research Council (UK), have developed a website of useful information on alcohol consumption.

The DRINKULATOR interactive online self-assessment test developed by Dr. Nick Sheron is available on the site along with access to much current information on the topics of alcohol consumption, health affects of drinking, and alcoholism.

The Severity of Alcohol Dependence Questionnaire (SADQ), a short, self-administered, 20-item questionnaire designed by the World Health Organisation to measure severity of dependence on alcohol is also included on the website.

If you couldn't answer the question in the title you need to read the section on the website entitled 'Binge Drinking'.

Labels: alcohol consumption, alcoholism, binge drinking, DRINKULATOR, SADQ, self-assessment

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